Leyton Orient Women hit Enfield Town Ladies for five in the FA Women’s National League at Mile End Stadium on Sunday.
The O’s were ahead after just 12 minutes when Robyn Reardon put the ball into her own net, before goals from Tara O’Halloran and Hayley Barton gave the O’s a three-nil lead at half-time.
Chanel Richards bagged a second half brace to boost Orient’s goal difference, whilst the home side held out for their first clean sheet in nine games. This victory sees them jump to fifth place in the South East Division One table.
Strong Start
Mile End observed an impeccable minute’s silence prior to kick-off to commemorate Armistice Day. Orient were forced to do some defending in the early stages but stamped their authority on proceedings when they snatched the lead on 12 minutes.
Hayley Barton crossed the ball into the danger zone and watched as Reardon headed past her own goalkeeper to hand the O’s a precious advantage. Speaking to Rising East, O’s captain Danielle Griffiths acknowledged the importance of sprinting out of the blocks:
“I don’t think we have started that strongly in previous games. We spoke before the game about making sure that the start to this game was the best we’ve done all season and we did exactly that. We scored within 11 minutes I think and were 3-0 up by half-time, this was the kind of start we’d hoped for and something we’ve been building towards in recent weeks.”
Goal Fest
Chris Brayford’s side had grown into the match and went searching for a second goal to take into the break. Much to Orient’s delight, this arrived just two minutes before half-time when O’Halloran turned home Barton’s corner from close-range.
However, the O’s got more than they bargained for and netted a third goal after a beautifully swift counter attack. Richards fed Sophie Le Marchand down the left, who dropped her shoulder and fizzed the ball across goal to Barton whose run was perfectly timed for her to guide the ball home.
With missed chances during recent weeks fresh in the mind, Griffiths credited the O’s clinical edge to work put in on the training pitch:
“We’ve certainly focused on that, just a bit of confidence in front of goal, taking our chances and making sure everyone is a bit more relaxed. I feel there was a bit of pressure to get that monkey off our backs but scoring five goals will definitely help going forward.”
Double Trouble
Orient’s thirst for goals failed to be quenched during the break as they took just three minutes to find a fourth. Richards raced onto a through pass before rounding the goalkeeper and coolly passing the ball into the far corner.
Just after the hour mark, Richards notched a second after receiving the ball on the edge of the box and curling her effort beyond Katherine Long in the Enfield goal to wrap up the points.
Despite their attacking prowess, the O’s were defensively sound and ended their nine-game wait for a clean sheet. Griffiths, a rock at the heart of Orient’s defence, expressed her delight at the back four’s solidarity:
“As a defence, during the game when we were on top it was definitely something we were focused on, making sure we didn’t concede. It’s something we need to build on, we need to keep that defensive line strong. Not every game is going to be five-nil, it could come down to closer margins so the little things like keeping a clean sheet are definitely a good confidence boost.”
Finding Form
After one of their best displays this season, the O’s made a number of achievements aside from three points. Not only was this their biggest victory of the campaign, and their first clean sheet in nine, but they were successful in stretching their unbeaten league record at home to four matches.
At whichever level of the game, picking up points on home turf is crucial. Griffiths wants the O’s to create a fear factor among teams who face them at Mile End:
“We want this to be a place where people are not looking forward to coming to and they don’t want to play us. This is our home ground and we love it, it may not be the most glamorous but it’s the place we call home. This is where we should be getting our biggest and best results.”
Up Next
After recent success in the league, Orient will switch their attention to the Capital Cup quarter-finals. They welcome Haringey Borough Women to Mile End Stadium on Sunday 18th November, with a place in the semi-finals the prize up for grabs.
