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LEYTON ORIENT began their pre-season friendly with Harlow Town with a minute’s applause in memory of former Head Coach Justin Edinburgh, who died unexpectedly last month.
Then it was on with the game – with Ross Embleton, the Club’s interim Head Coach – in charge for the first time. It was a memorable beginning for him.
Orient took control from the start, hogging the possession and coming close to scoring as a free kick taken by Jordan Maguire-Drew and a header from Matt Harold both kissed the upright – on the wrong side. However, once they were in their stride it was inevitable that the Os were going to hit the back of the net and the two players were instrumental in the first two goals. Matt Harrold was on fire in the box and scored first. While Harlow were still reeling, Maguire-Drew sent a through ball to the foot of Colin Wilkinson, who beat the goalie with a well timed shot. Orient went two up in two minutes.
Orient keeper Sam Sargeant wasn’t getting much of a look-in during the first half and had to wait until just before the end it to see some action. Harlow’s Serge Erkarslan was probably so surprised to come within eyesight of the goal that he fired off his shot before he could get too close – and Sargeant had to stretch up to push the ball away from goal.
New signing Lee Angol came on in the second half and was offered a promising ball from James Brophy. Angol hit the post – but he had been primed. His next run took him past struggling Harlow players to set up James Alabi, who also hit the post. It was an inches long error which Alabi made up for almost immediately: crossing to James Brophy, who found the back of the net.
Having seen how it was done, Angol wasn’t to be denied again. Goal number four came from his free kick which beat the goalie (Arthur Janata this time) from 30 yards.
Alabi wasn’t done yet. He tried a long shot at goal but hit the crossbar – before finally getting the team’s fifth goal from just inside the box.
It must have been a dispiriting match for Harlow – but it was an excellent start to the pre-season for Orient.
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