Leyton Orient opened up a four-point lead at the top of the National League as Macauley Bonne’s first half header was enough to beat Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 at the Breyer Group Stadium.
Following a 2-1 loss away to the Daggers on Boxing Day, Justin Edinburgh’s side began the New Year by avenging their east-London rivals.
The hosts got the action underway as the first opportunity of the game fell to star striker Macauley Bonne who latched on to James Brophy’s cross, but Manny Onariase recovered to make an important block.
End-to-End
Conor Wilkinson forced Dean Brill into his first save of the afternoon as the Gillingham loanee used his pace to get in behind the O’s back-line.
At the other end, a spectacular Charlie Lee volley nearly opened the scoring. The midfielder caught the ball perfectly after Dagenham had cleared a Jobi McAnuff corner.
Angelo Balanta had appeared to have put the visitors ahead after 25 minutes, but the Colombian’s clever finish was ruled out for offside. Alex McQueen’s free-kick found its way to the Dagenham number 10, who back-heeled the ball into the goal before seeing his effort disallowed.
Crucial Opener
Orient took the lead after 32 minutes through Bonne’s smart header from a tight angle. The Zimbabwean international beat Elliot Justham with a header across the six-yard box, after Marvin Ekpiteta had flicked on Sam Ling’s ball into the danger area.
The O’s looked good for their lead as they controlled the remaining moments of the first-half. They continued to dominate possession, but were unable to double their lead before David Rock blew his whistle for half-time.
Elusive Second
The return of skipper McAnuff made a telling difference, as the veteran midfielder smashed the post shortly after the restart. Driving deep from midfield, McAnuff weaved diagonally through helpless Dagenham defenders before hitting the post with a low effort.
Josh Koroma was next to hit the woodwork after being found by McAnuff. Koroma wiggled in and out as he looked for an option, before trying his luck from a tight angle. Attempting to beat Justham at his near post, the 20-year-old’s shot hit the woodwork on its way out for a goal-kick.
With 20 minutes remaining, Koroma hit the woodwork again. Joe Widdowson got the better of Gavin Hoyte as he charged down the flank. The left-back’s low delivery was turned goal-bound by Koroma, but a deflection guided it onto the upright.
Vital Victory
Orient continued to push for a second goal as they dominated the second half. McAnuff’s corner was met by the head of Ekpiteta, who would have scored if it wasn’t for Wilkinson on the line to spare the visitors.
In the closing moments of the tie, Koroma displayed his exceptional talent as he countered all by himself and nearly had the finish to match his 50-yard run. Beating numerous defenders, Koroma rounded Justham as he entered the box, leaning back before blazing over the bar.
Four additional minutes weren’t enough for Peter Taylor’s side as their lacklustre search for an equaliser proved fruitless. The full-time whistle was met by the roar of 6,000 Orient fans whose side extended their lead at the summit of the National League.
Match Stats
ORIENT: Brill, Ling, Ekpiteta, Coulson, Widdowson, Brophy (Harrold 77), Gorman (Lawless 66), Lee, McAnuff, Koroma, Bonne.
SUBS: Sargeant, Happe, Alabi.
BOOKED: Widdowson (47’), Koroma (86’), McAnuff (88’)
GOALS: Bonne (32’)
DAGGERS: Justham, Gordon, McQueen, Clark, Balanta, Goodliffe, Wilkinson, Wright, Munns (Reynolds 77), Hoyte, Onariase (Mullings 82)
SUBS: Moore, Blanchfield, Smith.
BOOKED: Onariase (32’)
GOALS:
REFEREE: David Rock
ATTENDANCE: 6,001 (647)
