O’s Head Coach satisfied despite conceding late equaliser, as Sebastian Liggenstorfer reports.
Leyton Orient Head Coach Ian Hendon praised his side’s defensive efforts following their 1-1 draw at home to AFC Wimbledon.
The O’s had a great start to the game and took the lead in the 10th minute thanks to Jay Simpson’s 15th goal of the season, but were forced to play with 10 men for the final 30 minutes when John Marquis was shown a second yellow card.
Wimbledon then made the most of their man advantage 10 minutes from time when Adebayo Akinfenwa headed home an equaliser. But despite squandering the lead Hendon was happy with the draw.
“The way the game went it’s a fantastic point. I have to give credit to the players for battling away and getting a point,” said the 43-year-old.
“There were lots of bookings in that game which were not bookings if you ask me. When we played at Plymouth there were tackles flying around and it was a proper League Two game of football where tackles were allowed. The referee made the game what it was.”
Marquis’ dismissal came only two minutes after Hendon had withdrawn fellow striker Ollie Palmer to bring on captain Mathieu Baudry in a bid to deal with AFC Wimbledon’s attacking threat.
“I spoke to John and he shouldn’t make those challenges, he should stay on his feet not get involved and give the referee any chance of booking him again.
Credit
“I put Mathieu on because you knew it was going to be an aerial bombardment. We talked about changing it and sticking another guy up at one-nil to release a bit of pressure but Alex (Cisak) did not have a save to make. I have got to give credit to the players, they were under huge amount of pressure and were defending very well,”
“I spoke to John and he shouldn’t make those challenges, he should stay on his feet not get involved and give the referee any chance of booking him again.” he explained.
The Orient defence managed to deny Wimbledon any major chances after the sending off, and the first time goalkeeper Alex Cisak had to intervene was in the 79th minute when he parried a Jon Meades’ header from short range.
Just a minute after that chance however Akinfenwa equalised to make it 1-1, and Hendon complimented Neal Ardley’s side for sticking to their plan.
“You have to give credit to Wimbledon. They have come here and worked hard towards the end of the first half, we were camped in. We went in at half-time, had a game plan about what we were going to do and then we had the sending off.”
Following the draw the O’s are now three games unbeaten in League Two, though next week sees them host League One outfit Scunthorpe in the FA Cup second round.
“We want to go through in the competition and get into the third round. We have to get on the training ground again and get set for next Saturday, which hopefully will be another positive result,” added Hendon.