Leyton Orient overturned Bromley’s first half lead to defeat the visitors 3-1 on a fantastic day at The Breyer Group Stadium. Jobi McAnuff, Josh Koroma and Macauley Bonne bagged the goals as the O’s returned to the summit of the National League table.
Orient paid their respects to the 41 players and staff who signed up en-masse during WW1. The O’s lined up in their commemorative fourth kit that boasted the iconic red chevron which Clapton Orient once shone in. Martin Ling and Danny Macklin were among the club’s representatives who placed wreaths onto the pitch ahead of a minute’s silence.
Richard Hulme blew his whistle and Bromley got the game underway in front of a sell-out crowd. The visitors set up to frustrate Justin Edinburgh’s side, and for the opening moments controlled the game as Orient failed to settle into proceedings.
Clear-cut opportunities were sparse as both sides failed to assert themselves in the final third. Craig Clay dragged an effort wide after latching onto a loose ball on the edge of the Bromley penalty area.
Shock Setback
Bromley’s defence deployed bullying tactics, as Jack Holland and Roger Johnson were often penalised for being too tight to forwards Bonne and Koroma. Orient struggled to create in the final third, consequently the crowd grew in frustration, feeling the referee was being too lenient on Bromley’s defence.
However, the Ravens silenced the home crowd on the stroke of half-time. John Goddard’s piercing free-kick found its way into the far corner as the ball flew through a packed box. After four minutes of additional time, the game reached the half way stage with the visitors narrowly ahead.
Rapid Recovery
After the restart, the hosts turned the game on its head giving the fans a much better showing in the second half of play.
Captain McAnuff’s delicate free-kick levelled the scores after 56 minutes, sparking joyous celebrations from the fans and his team mates. The atmosphere changed in an instant with 6,000 O’s fans giving the 11 men on the pitch the boost they needed. The noise inside the stadium inspired the second-half performance.
Koroma put Orient 2-1 up only three minutes later. The tricky young forward raced past the Bromley defence with ease after running onto Bonne’s inviting through-ball. The 20-year-old wriggled in and out, selling two defenders, before smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
More For Macca
Though Orient had flipped the game on its head, tensions were high as players and management clashed both on and off the field. Neil Smith’s side continued to rattle the crowd with their rugged approach.
Nerves were soon settled as Macauley Bonne added to his goal-haul. The forward fired home from inside the area after reacting first to a loose ball. David Gregory had done well to deny McAnuff a second goal, but couldn’t prevent the ball falling to the feet of the most dangerous forward in the National League at present.
Table Toppers
The Ravens upped the ante upon falling two behind, offering more of a goal-scoring threat in the closing stages. George Porter’s deflected strike was fantastically kept out by Dean Brill, who was alert despite being relatively untroubled in the second-half.
Marc-Anthony Okoye and Jack Holland both registered attempts in the final minutes, but couldn’t hit the target as Orient stood firm.
The hosts looked comfortable with their two- goal lead, and crossed the finishing line to reclaim top spot. A fantastic showing from the players on the pitch, the fans and all the staff involved with Leyton Orient Football Club.
Match Stats
ORIENT: Brill, Widdowson, Coulson, McAnuff (C), Clay, Bonne, Dayton (Alabi 90’), Judd, Gorman (Brophy 76’), Koroma, Ekpiteta (Happe 43’)
SUBS: Sargeant, Harrold.
GOALS: McAnuff (56’), Koroma (59’), Bonne (77’)
BOOKED: Gorman (29’), Judd (40’)
BROMLEY: Gregory, Johnson, Holland (C), Dunne (Luque 66’), Okoye, Porter, Ogedi-Uzokwe, Goddard, Wood, Brindley, Quigley (Goodman 73’)
SUBS: Enver, Rooney, Okoh.
GOALS: Goddard (41’)
BOOKED: Dunne (28)’, Porter (59’), Holland (70’)
REFEREE: Richard Hulme
ATTENDANCE: 6,058 (541 away)
