Interim Leyton Orient Manager Jobi McAnuff got off to the perfect start as The O’s picked up their first away win since November. Dan Happe’s first half strike was enough to see off bottom of the table Grimsby Town 1-0 at Blundell Park. The win lifts Leyton Orient to 13th and within seven points of a playoff position.
McAnuff made three changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Tranmere Rovers in former boss Ross Embleton’s last game on Saturday. Orient’s lone goal scorer on Saturday Jamie Turley returned to the side along with Joe Widdowson and Craig Clay in place of Happe, Conor Wilkinson, and McAnuff himself. Clay picked up the armband for this one after Orient’s captain found himself in the dugout.
The O’s didn’t get off to the best start, when only three minutes in they were forced into an early substitution. Happe replaced defender Adam Thompson, who had to be stretched off with a fractured ankle after a clash with Grimsby’s Luke Waterfall. Thompson travelled back to London with the team and is set to see a specialist later this week.
On The Front Foot
Orient were on the front foot throughout the first 20 minutes, constantly pressing Grimsby high up the pitch. However, chances were few and far between. The closest either team came was when O’s winger James Brophy had a low effort blocked by the Grimsby defence.
Orient didn’t have to wait much longer for a breakthrough, though. In the 20th minute, after a flurry of corners Orient decided to play one short and after some nice link up play with Nick Freeman, Dan Kemp fired in a cross under pressure which found Happe who tapped in from inside the six-yard box.
The first half continued to see Orient on the front foot, and they came close to doubling their lead when Brophy burst into space and checked it back to Kemp who saw his attempt rattle the crossbar.
De Ja Vu
At start of the second half it felt like De ja vu, Brophy again finding Kemp unmarked in the box, and yet again Kemp’s first-time effort fired back off the bar.
Orient were in control throughout and could have been out of sight, however the tide seemed to turn when Grimsby made changes. Paul Hurst brought on Lenell John-Lewis and James Hanson and moved to a more offensive formation.
The Mariners best opportunity came when John-Lewis hit a low-driven attempt that almost caught Orient keeper Lawrence Vigouroux out at his near post. That proved to be the last chance of the game though, as the O’s held on for a much needed victory.
“I Really Enjoyed Tonight”
Speaking after the game to Leyton Orient’s official website, McAnuff stated that despite a ‘few nervy moments’ he was ‘pretty calm’ and that the job “is a challenge I’m relishing, and I really enjoyed tonight.”
McAnuff’s next challenge is a trip to playoff hopefuls Exeter City, who come into the game in poor form only picking up one win in their past four league games following their stalemate last night against Walsall.
