A Josh Koroma hat trick helped Leyton Orient to an emphatic 4-0 win over relegation rivals Newport on Saturday.
Victory for Orient boosted survival chances – off the field issues could determine this though – with Newport almost certain to drop out of the Football League now with them 11 points away from safety.
Orient took an early lead through Steven Alzate – he was making his first start – with Koroma proving the assist. Sam Dalby set up Koroma to score his first goal for the O’s soon after with another assist from Dalby allowing Koroma to leave the result beyond doubt by half time.
Koroma converted a second half penalty to complete his hat trick and the victory to move Orient to within five points of Notts County. An afternoon of firsts – Alzate’s first start, Koroma’s first goal and hat trick – also saw young keeper Charlie Grainger keep a cleansheet.
Commenting on the win Orient boss Danny Webb told BBC Radio London.
‘We are happy, most importantly with an impressive performance. Obviously the result is massive. We were clinical on the counter attack and our teenagers played like it was a game in the park.’
