The O’s kicked their FA Trophy campaign off with a 4-0 victory at home to Beaconsfield Town. Goals from George Elokobi, James Brophy, Craig Clay and Dale Gorman wrapped up a professional performance at The Breyer Group Stadium, as Orient head into the second round of the competition.
Orient got things underway in E10, on a wet and windy Saturday afternoon. The hosts dictated early possession, as they looked to take an early advantage. The left flank offered plenty of joy, as James Brophy and debutant Jayden Sweeney linked up well.
Brophy tried his luck after just five minutes as The Rams defence stood off the winger. His curling effort was spilt by Keeper Ravan Constable, but the number one gathered the ball on the second time of asking.
Composed
Justin Edinburgh’s men looked composed in possession of the ball, as they patiently waited for a breakthrough. Craig Clay saw an effort blocked by a white shirt, after Matt Harrold held up the ball well for the midfielder.
Orient found the opening shortly after the 15 minute mark, through Captain George Elokobi. Josh Koroma won a free-kick out on the right flank. The 20-year-old delivered the ball towards the back stick, where Dan Happe headed across goal. Constable clawed the ball away, but straight to the feet of Elokobi who fired into the roof of the net.
Beaconsfield recorded their first effort shortly after the half-hour mark, as Charlie Losasso’s volley was blocked by goal-scorer Elokobi at the near post, following good work from Bajram Pashaj.
Brophy’s dribbling ability once again proved too much for the Rams’ defence, but his left-footed strike was straight at Constable, as Orient sniffed out a second.
Last-ditch
The O’s looked comfortable in the closing minutes of the half, and would have had a second if it wasn’t for a last-ditch challenge that prevented Harrold a tap in from six yards.
Will Finnie blew his whistle for the half-time break, with Elokobi’s goal was the difference between the two sides.
The visitors got us back underway at the restart, as Gary Meakin’s side continued to chase the game.
Koroma’s quick feet had Jerome Eccleston in a knot, as the November player of the month charged into the penalty area. The subsequent delivery from Koroma, took a deflection and smashed the post, as the lead was almost doubled.
A deserved second goal came after 55 minutes, as Brophy cracked home from inside the area. Koroma’s free-kick was punched clear, but only as far as Clay, who found Brophy before he pulled the trigger.
Alex Lawless forced Constable into a smart save, following some clever link up play between Sweeney and Harrold.
Inches
With a healthy lead intact Edinburgh made his first change, as Ruel Sotiriou replaced James Alabi, with little over 20 minutes to go.
Elokobi was inches away from his second goal of the afternoon, after his powerful header was superbly tipped wide by Constable. The resulting corner saw the ball fall to Elokobi once more, but the defender couldn’t hit the target from the edge of the area.
Beaconsfield looked leggy in the closing 15 minutes, as Orient utilised space in the channels to find their third goal.
Clay stroked the ball into the net, following a sharp attack involving substitute Sotiriou and Brophy. Sotiriou broke at pace, and found Brophy on the left wing, who then pulled the ball back for Clay to place into the bottom corner.
The fourth came following a stunning free-kick routine, as substitute Dale Gorman found the net, four minutes after coming off the bench. The midfielder played the ball to Koroma, who set the ball for Gorman to bend the ball home from 30-yards, and make the score 4-0 with seven minutes left to play.
Koroma looked to get in on the act, as he tried to catch Constable out at his near post, but the keeper turned the ball round his post, for a corner.
After five minutes of stoppage time, the full-time whistle came, with the final score 4-0 to Leyton Orient.
Following the win, The O’s will be one of 64 teams in the hat for the FA Trophy 2nd round draw, this Monday afternoon. Ties are scheduled to be played on the weekend of Saturday 12th January in the New Year.
ORIENT: Dean Brill, Sam Ling, Alex Lawless, George Elokobi, Craig Clay (Dale Gorman 79), Dan Happe, James Brophy, Matt Harold, Josh Koroma, James Alabi (Ruel Sotiriou 68) Jayden Sweeney
SUBS: Sam Sargeant, Macauley Bonne, Marvin Ekpiteta
GOALS: Elokobi 17’’ Brophy 55’’ Clay 75’’ Gorman 83’’
BOOKED:
BEACONSFIELD: Ravan Constable, Jerome Eccleston (Omar Vassel 56), Mayowa Balogun, Reece Yorke, Luke Neville, Wes Daly, Louis Stead (Marvin Morgan 59), Daniel Brown, Brendan Matthew, Bajram Pashaj (Jordon Ajanlekoko 74), Charlie Losasso
SUBS: Joe Adoo-Peters, Nathan Webb
GOALS:
BOOKED: Eccleston 4’’ Balogun 58’’
REFEREE: Will Finnie
ATTENDANCE: 1,177
