The O’s fell to a 3-0 defeat against Cambridge United Women at Mildenhall Town FC, with right-back Emma Jenkins netting a second half hat-trick for the U’s.
Chris Brayford’s side remain in two cup competitions this season, but Griffiths made it clear where their priorities lie:
“The league is our main focus, we’ve obviously got the Capital Cup which we are doing well in. We want to do as well as we can in the league and giving our time to that can only be beneficial.”
Squandered Chances
Having received a bye into the second round, the O’s were looking to reach the Third Round for the first time since they began competing at this level at the start of the 2017-18 campaign.
Inside seven minutes, they were denied an early opener when Tara O’Halloran’s shot came back off the post, before striker Lisa Fulgence tucked home the loose ball only for celebrations to be muted by the linesman’s flag.
Shortly after, Orient were thwarted by the woodwork again when Egle Trezzi caught a sweet volley which thundered off the crossbar. Then, Sophie Le Marchand squared for an unmarked Fulgence who fluffed her lines leaving the match all square at the break.
On reflection, the O’s were left to rue these missed opportunities as Griffiths called for more composure in front of goal:
“I think we just need to relax. We snatched at a few of the chances we had today, and actually there were more simple options on. We just need to get that bit of confidence and relax a bit more.”
Clinical Cambridge
Just three minutes after the restart, the U’s snatched the lead when Jenkins met a deep cross at the back post and nestled her header beyond Orient goalkeeper Naomi Ogunde.
This was a crushing blow for Orient who had seen several chances fall away during the first half. However, Griffiths acknowledged conceding left the O’s with no choice but to adapt their game plan:
“There was still quite a lot of time left and we’d been playing well, so it wasn’t too much of a setback at that stage. However, it did mean that we had to push on a little bit more and make the game a bit more expansive.”
In an attempt to haul themselves back into the tie, Orient introduced wide player Camila Pescatore in their first change of the game prior to the hour mark. However, the U’s swiftly doubled their lead when Jenkins angled the ball low into the bottom left corner giving Orient work to do.
Cambridge were quick to all but confirm their place in the next round when Jenkins completed her hat-trick with 20 minutes left. She latched onto a free-kick and neatly guided the ball into the opposite corner to knock Orient out of the competition.
Bouncing Back
Orient have little time to dwell on this result, with a return to league action creeping over the horizon.
The O’s welcome Ipswich Town Ladies to Mile End Stadium in the FA Women’s National League this Sunday, with kick-off at 2pm.
They will be looking to find that all important clinical edge in front of goal, as they hope to push on with their league campaign in the run-up to Christmas.
