The O’s dominated as they returned to winning ways in the National League beating Havant & Waterlooville 4-0 at the Breyer Group Stadium. Josh Coulson, Charlie Lee and Macauley Bonne got on the scoresheet in E10, with an own-goal from Theo Lewis completing the scoring.
Orient were flawless throughout, bagging three goals before the half-time whistle. With such a comfortable lead, the second half only saw the one goal as the tempo dropped. The O’s found joy from set pieces, finding the net twice following dead-ball situations. A magic strike from Lee and a smart finish from Bonne wrapped up the game.
Blistering Start
Orient broke the deadlock after 13 minutes when Coulson picked up a loose ball and tapped into the net. James Dayton’s whipped free-kick was headed towards goal by Lee, Havant & Waterlooville goalkeeper Ben Dubzinsk did well to make the save, but the ball fell kindly at the feet of Coulson.
The O’s second came five minutes later as Theo Lewis scored an own-goal following Jobi McAnuff’s corner-kick. The near post delivery narrowly missed Bonne but hit Lewis and went into the net.
Wonder Strike
Craig Clay nearly added a third goal as Orient pushed forward relentlessly. Josh Koroma turned his marker and set the midfielder up for a strike from just outside the box. The number eight placed his shot low towards the bottom left corner, but the strike lacked enough pace to beat the goalkeeper who made a good save.
Lee’s goal was special, the centre-midfielder nicked the ball at the half-way line before carrying it forward 20 yards and smashing into the bottom corner from 30 yards out.
Brilliant Bonne
Orient could smell blood and showed no signs of letting their foot off the gas after the break. Coulson headed just over the bar following a Dayton free-kick, before Dayton himself forced Dudzinski into two smart saves.
It didn’t take long for Orient to find the net again. Just before the hour mark, Bonne tucked home his 11th league goal of the season from inside the box after Clay found the O’s talisman with a neat pass through the legs of a defender.
League Leaders
Havant & Waterlooville couldn’t escape their half as Orient defended as well as they attacked. Marvin Ekpiteta nearly poked home a Coulson header as the O’s continued to threaten from set pieces.
Bonne should have scored his second of the game, but the striker’s effort was tame after some good work from Koroma to find his strike partner.
The East-Londoners were professional in the closing minutes, keeping possession of the football and not allowing the away-side a sloppy consolation goal. It was an impressive performance and a vital three points to see Orient reclaim top spot in the National League.
Match Stats
ORIENT: Dean Brill, Sam Ling (James Brophy 66’), Josh Coulson, Jobi McAnuff, Craig Clay, Macauley Bonne, James Dayton (James Alabi 76’), Myles Judd, Josh Koroma, Marvin Ekpiteta, Charlie Lee (Dale Gorman 71’)
SUBS: Sam Sargent, Dan Happe
GOALS: Coulson (13’), Bonne (18’), Lee (39’), Bonne (59’)
BOOKED: Koroma (90’)
Havant & W: Ben Dudzinski, Dan Strugnell, Brian Stock, Ed Harris (Josh Huggins 84’), Theo Lewis, Nicke Kabamba, Bradley Tarbuck, Aaron Cosgrove (Alfie Pavey 66’), Ibra Sekajja (Alex Bradley 45’), Will Wood, Tyler Cordiner.
SUBS: Ryan Woodford, Paul Robinson
GOALS: –
BOOKED: Cordner (83’)
Referee: Martin Woods
Attendance: 5,043
