Leyton Orient snatched a 1-0 win against London rivals Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night to remain unbeaten in the EFL Trophy and secure a top-spot finish to the group stage.
Orient winger, and former Charlton player, Paul Smyth scored the game’s only goal and his first for the O’s after a defensive error on 78 minutes.
First-Half Of Few Chances
The first half saw clear cut chances at a premium with neither side able to create much. Charlton were the first to threaten within seven minutes when Mason Burstow’s effort was tipped onto the bar by young Orient keeper Rhys Byrne.
Orient’s only real first-half chance came after 25 minutes when Tyrese Omotoye cut inside from the byline and saw his shot parried out for a corner.
It was in the second half when the game sprung into life.
Three minutes after the interval Orient left-back Connor Wood played a delightful cross into the box and Smyth was denied by a great save from Harness, before Smyth then latched on to a long ball over the top only to see his poked shot hit the post.
‘Papa’ Sees Double
Orient were then reduced to 10 men after highly-rated teenage midfielder Antony Papadopoulos was shown two yellow cards in the space of eight minutes after two cynical fouls brought two bookable offences.
On a brighter note the game saw a return for Orient defender Adam Thompson who made a substitute appearance after he had been side-lined since March with a fractured ankle.
Ruel Sotiriou, who had been very quiet throughout the match, had a chance 20 minutes from time after a fantastic solo run which saw him take it past four Charlton defenders only to put his shot wide.
Smyth Smites Familiar Foe
Eventually the O’s found their winner. Smyth got revenge on his former club as he pounced on a defensive slip-up from Charlton defender Deji Elerewe and calmly slotted it past the keeper before producing his trademark backflip celebration.
Charlton also finished the game with 10-men, with Pape Souare leaving the field due to injury after Charlton had used their available substitutions, which somewhat brought this game to an end as a contest.
The win sees Leyton Orient secure a home tie for the first knockout round after topping the group with nine points.
Orient manager Kenny Jackett told Leyton Orient’s YouTube channel after the game: “We’ve finished the qualification stage off now, it was a good win and we’ve secured a home tie”.
