1 min
Leyton Orient got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over struggling Southend United at Brisbane Road.
Dominating from start to finish, Orient had to wait until the second-half to make their dominance count with two brilliant goals from Jobi McAnuff and Conor Wilkinson.
The O’s should have taken the lead as early as the fourth minute when Wilkinson was given the freedom of the penalty area but saw his effort blocked on the line by Sam Hart.
Wilkinson was to go close again on the quarter hour mark but saw his curling effort sail inches over the crossbar.
Despite bossing possession for the remainder of the half, Orient failed to translate that into clearcut opportunities as Southend remained content to defend in numbers.
However, they did not have to wait long to break the deadlock after the interval, McAnuff’s free-kick beating Mark Oxley to give the O’s a lead they never looked like relinquishing.
With Southend chasing the game, Orient made it safe 12 minutes from time – McAnuff playing in Wilkinson with the front man producing a brilliant dinked finish to seal the win.
Key Points
Check out all the key talking points and reaction from London Football Scene below…
Key Moment
Jobi McAnuff’s free-kick settled Orient down early in the second half and allowed them to play with more freedom.
Moan of the Match
Orient may have eventually broken down a stubborn Southend but for large portions of the game they lacked guile going forward.
Talking Point
Orient’s opening goal came amidst huge protestations from Southend’s defence, believing their wall was placed more than 10 yards behind the ball – were they hard done by?
Man of the Match
Jobi McAnuff – cometh the hour, cometh the man as the captain led from the front after the break with the opening goal and then a game sealing assist for the second.
Tweet of the Match
Referee Watch
Craig Hicks (Surrey) – a competent performance from the man in the middle.
Atmosphere
A bitterly cold night put many off in the flats around the ground but their cheers of relief could still be heard at full-time.
Verdict
Three valuable points for Leyton Orient with Southend over-run and well beaten by an O’s side eager to put a bad run of form behind them.
