, Leyton Orient 2-0 Barnet – Match Report and Ratings

Leyton Orient 2-0 Barnet – Match Report and Ratings

Leyton Orient got off to the perfect start to their League 2 campaign after suffering relegation last season. Under new manager Ian Hendon the O’s looked far from their best in the first half but improved in the second half with 2 goals in a minute from Jay Simpson and Paul McCallum giving them the win. Barnet could have taken the lead at Brisbane Road in the first half but failing to take their chances cost Martin Allen’s side.

The Bees were the side looking to strike the opener in the first half after Paul McCallum curled his shot wide for the O’s after a 1 on 1 with Graham Stack in the early exchanges. Also, John Akinde was causing newly named O’s captain Mathieu Baudry a whole host of problems. It was Akinde who created the best chance of the half for Barnet, his cross to Michael Gash left the striker with a half empty goal but Gash side footed wide. Akinde also went close but Ciask saved before Weston headed over the rebound. Simpson curled an effort over for the O’s but Barnet prevented Orient from playing.

Hendon changed formation in the second half almost creating the desired effect with Simpson and McCallum going close. Dean Cox’s involvement grew as the half went on in his free role with Cox, Bradley Pritchard and Sean Clohessy working well down the right. Clohessy and Fraser Shaw were pushing forward with Simpson striking a shot just wide before he notched the opener after volleying home a Dean Cox cross from the right. Just a minute later, Paul McCallum doubled the lead after Clohessy’s cross fell to the former Hammer who fired home.

A game of two halves at Brisbane Road but it was a case of you have to score when on top” which Orient did in the second half. Barnet looked on yesterday’s evidence to have enough to cope in League 2 with Orient looking very good in the second half when in the ascendancy.

Ratings

Leyton Orient

Alex Ciask 7 – Tested a couple of times in the first half but no real great saves from the summer signing from Burnley. Distribution off at times.

Sean Clohessy 8 – The full back grew into the game as it went on, troubled at times in the first but linked up very well in the second half. Attacking threat going forward.

Mathieu Baudry 7 – Struggled at times in the first half by John Akinde. More composed in the second half but needs to be more vocal a captain. Booked.

Connor Essam 7 – Composed debut from former Dover man. Looked solid throughout, partnership with Baudry will continue to improve.

Fraser Shaw 7 – Good start to his Orient career. Defended well at times but decision making and passing sometimes at fault.

Lloyd James 7 – Struggled to be involved in the first half with lack of the ball, improved and impact increased in second half with midfielder starting to dictate play. Booked.

Sammy Moore 7 – Box to box midfielder, gets on with his job throughout. Battled well.

Bradley Pritchard 8.5 – MOTM Energetic and tireless display from midfielder. Best game in an Orient shirt. Very good in attacking third with some great touches. Linked well down right with Clohessy and Cox. Booked.

Dean Cox 7.5 – Struggled in the first half in his central role. Had a hard time getting on the ball. Free role created in second half suited the winger, involvement and impact key for the victory.

Paul McCallum 7 – Grabbed a goal on his home debut, looked a threat in the second half, should have opened the scoring in the first half. Booked.

Jay Simpson 8 – Fitter and sharper than last season, created space and outlet for the O’s. Unlucky not to have grabbed more than one. Partnership with McCallum ever improving.

Subs

Alan Dunne 6.5 – Struggled to get up to match speed. Broke up play well in second half.

Blair Turgott N/A – Too little time to make an impact..

Ollie Palmer N/A – Not enough time to make an impact.

Barnet

Graham Stack 6.5 – Should have saved the opener by Orient but weak wrists. Saved well throughout but poor distribution at times.

Gain Hoyte 6.5 – Provided an outlet going forward in first half, dealt with threat down his flank.

Bira Dembele 6.5 – Dominant in the first half in the air and on the floor. Struggled in the second half with Orient’s movement in attack.

Bondz N’Gala 6.5 – Dominant in the air in first half, struggled when ball played on the floor and the movement of Orient in the second.

Elliot Johnson 6.5 – Good going forward in the first half advancing well and linking up well with Mauro Vilhete. Struggled in second half with play coming down Orient’s right in second half.

Andy Yiadom 7 – Bright and energetic in the first half but faded in second half without the ball.

Curtis Weston 7.5 – Good battling display from captain. Supported well going forward in first half but had to defend in second half. Struggled with the pace of Orient’s play in second half.

Sam Togwell 7 – Utilized his long throw throughout but struggled when Orient in possesion.

Mauro Vilhete 7 – Attacked well in first half, causing Clohessy problems. Faded as game progressed.

Michael Gash 6.5 – Miss guilt edge chance in the first half when really should have scored.

John Akinde 8 – Real menace in first half causing Orient a whole host of problems. Faded in second half, unlucky to be losing side after first half dislay. Booked.

Subs

Sam Muggleton 7 – Very, very long throw in, but struggled to get to match speed.

Luke Gambin 6 – Struggled to get to match speed.

Matthew Stevens N/A – Too little time to create impact.

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