Leyton Orient’s winless run reached 14 games after Richie Wellens’ first match as O’s boss ended in a goalless draw away at Hartlepool.
Bright Beginning
Orient started the first half brightly and almost went ahead early on after Hartlepool failed to clear their lines, allowing Ruel Sotiriu to advance forward, but he could only fire his shot over the bar.
The Durham based side grew into the game; their first big chance came just after the half hour mark as Newcastle loanee Joe White’s effort was struck just wide from 18 yards out. They also had a penalty appeal waived away in added time of the first half.
No Way Through Vigoroux
After the break, Orient had their best opportunity of the game, in the 48th minute Hector Kyprianou met Paul Smyth’s long throw and saw his effort cleared of the line by Pool defender Neil Byrne.
The deadlock was then nearly broken by Hartlepool as Omar Bogle steered his volley wide of Orient keeper Lawrence Vigoroux’s goal.
The Chilean stopper was then on hand again to deny Hartlepool as he produced a great save to prevent Marcus Carver’s header from snatching all three points.
Confidence Coming Back?
After the game in an interview for Orient’s official website Wellens seemed happy with his new team’s display: “I think the first 30 minutes they didn’t get out of their half,” he said.
“I’ve watched them (Orient) obviously the last couple of weeks, and it was a massive improvement.”
Orient defender George Ray expects that there is “more to come” from the O’s under Wellens as they look to pick up a victory next week to ease relegation worries.
He added, “That’s the baseline now going forwards.”
Relegation Scrap
The draw keeps Orient in 20th place, just five points off the relegation zone, however they have two games in hand over Colchester sitting above them.
Orient’s next match is against top of the table Forest Green Rovers next Tuesday where they will look to break their streak of winless games and get on the scoresheet, what they have failed to do in six of their last eight matches.
