Next page Previous page. We will play relegated Southend, Tranmere Rovers and Bolton Wanderers next season. If it ever starts. Barrow may be promoted from the NFL. Ousseynou Cissé was released by Gillingham. September 12th is a date bandied about as a possible return to football. The EFL site had this to say “The problems facing football clubs are lengthy and numerous; playing behind closed doors could drive them out of business, not starting the season could do the same and yet opening stadiums is entirely dependent on how the situation in the world develops. It does seem as though there is a real commitment to resuming in some form by September 12th though, which is a little under 3 months away. Whilst it wouldn’t be football as we know it, not by a long stretch, it is the first sign of a tiny chink of light at the end of a very long tunnel. Only time will tell if this is accurate, with Friday’s [18th June} meeting likely to shine further light on a complex and clouded Football League structure.” Barrow were promoted to our league. Kings Lynn and Wealdstone were promoted to the NFL being champions in the north and south divisions. The Non Football League Paper had this to say “The problems facing football clubs are lengthy and numerous; playing behind closed doors could drive them out of business, not starting the season could do the same and yet opening stadiums is entirely dependent on how the situation in the world develops. It does seem as though there is a real commitment to resuming in some form by September 12th though, which is a little under 3 months away. Whilst it wouldn’t be football as we know it, not by a long stretch, it is the first sign of a tiny chink of light at the end of a very long tunnel. Only time will tell if this is accurate, with Friday’s meeting likely to shine further light on a complex and clouded Football League structure.” Should the play-offs go ahead, Notts County will face off with the FC Halifax Town, Stockport County, Boreham Wood, Yeovil Town and Harrogate for the final promotion spot. Stevenage released 22 players and lucky for Scott Cuthbert he was not among them. Investigation by the Real EFL website reveals us as the dirtiest team in the division “The dirtiest team in the bottom two divisions is Leyton Orient, with only Barnsley of the Championship amassing more points than them. Craig Clay picked up four bookings in five matches over Christmas, but have nobody who really stands out like those other sides.” Romain Vincelot was released by Shrewsbury, Scott Wagstaff by Wimbledon. All the goals from the season. Promoted from League Two v Oxford 2006. Jordan Bowery was released by MK Dons and signed by Mansfield. Fans not impressed. Spurs are, allegedly, open to offers for Sterling. Really? Why would you pay money for someone who was injured from September to March? We were linked with Wealdstone’s winger Dennon Lewis who scored 14 goals to help them win the National League South title. Mind you Huddersfield and Sunderland are also reported to be interested. In 2019, Lewis participated in the fifth series of the ITV2 reality series Love Island. 2 July. Some on the lofcForum believed that the four out of contract would leave and one that if Sotiriou leaves his career would stutter. Allegedly the agents of Ruel and Marvin are touting their players around the country. Next day McAnuff signed another one year contract and Ogie a two year one. Northampton were the third promoted team after beating Exeter 0-4 at an empty Wembley. Along with 12 others at Northampton Alan McCormack was released. He played 10 games for us on loan from Preston in 2003. Wigan were the first club to go into administration though whether Covid-19 had anything to do with it is not clear. If they get relegated they will start next season with a 12 point deduction. Jamie Sendles-White has agreed to commit to Aldershot for the 2020/21 Season. Marvin Ekpiteta left for Blackpool. The club website said “[he] was offered numerous terms across the season to stay at the O’s.” I read that as he was offered a contract throughout the season but opted to try his luck elsewhere which is probably the case with Sotiriou. He appeared 75(4) times for us scoring six goals. Last season he appeared 29(3) times without scoring. Fans greeted the news with ‘Bit of a punt’, ‘Not good news’. Maybe we should sign his brother Marvel who has a contract with Newport County though he has not played any league games for them but played on loan 20 times for Ebbsfleet scoring two goals. The manager there signed him whilst at Bishops Stortford and Hungerford. Mathieu Baudry agreed two-year contract extension with Swindon. Am I right in saying we have until 31 July to sign players? Time is running out and we may need to replace the six players (five at the moment) that have left/leaving the club. Rumour has it, though there is nothing I can find on the web, that Cissé will sign for Bolton. Although they will be in the same division as us next season their average gate is over 12,000 which means they may be able to pay more wages than us. 10 July. Former Leeds and England player Jack Charlton died aged 85. It is not likely that his 629 apps for Leeds will ever be bettered. Notwithstanding the lack of loyalty shown by club and players. He also scored 70 goals for them and played 35 times for England some, namely the World Cup in 1966 alongside his brother Bobby. And to prove the loyalty point Colchester sacked their manager with their chairman saying “This last season has been one of the club’s best seasons for a number of years and John should be very proud of his time in charge of the first team.” Wigan went into administration one month after a change in ownership. Dave Whelan sold the club to Hong Kong-based International Entertainment Corporation in November 2018 and there was a further change of ownership in May when Next Leader Fund (NLF) took control. The EFL is understood to have approved both the initial NLF takeover and Au Yeung’s, so the Wigan calamity again raises questions over its vetting processes. The rules only require a buyer to show that they have the money to fund a club – not to actually provide that money, a bond, or insurance, to ensure the funding is there. A nasty rumour circulating is that there is a lot of betting money on Wigan getting relegated. Going into administration would help that cause. Darlington boss Alun Armstrong has snapped up former Premier League defender Nicky Hunt following his release from Crewe Alexandra. The transfer deadline was extended to 5 October which is just as well as the only signing we have made is Danny Senda as the club’s new Assistant Head Coach. He made over 300 appearances for Wycombe Wanderers in his professional career and joins the O’s from his role as First Team coach at National League side Barnet. JAMAL CAMPBELL-RYCE is under-23 player-coach for Colchester. 16 July. We signed Ousseynou Cissé on a two-year deal. He maybe replaces Gorman so we need three strikers to replace Alabi, Sotiriou and Harrold though these were bit players starting 21 games, coming off the bench 30 times scoring nine goals between them. I am assuming Sotiriou will leave us. How did Bonne and Koroma fair with their new clubs? Bonne made 25(7) apps scoring ten goals but Koroma did not fare as well. After starting four games for Huddersfield he only made another five from the bench before being loaned to Rotherham. He started five games from the bench for them without scoring. 20 July. To reiterate on the loyalty front, Martin Ling went on record to say the club had made offers to Sotiriou since November. He thought we needed two players, a striker and a centre half. After getting their clubs out of a relegation place Pearson at Watford and Cowley at Huddersfield were both sacked. The Real EFL had this to say: “What is perhaps sad, and relevant, is that once again promising English managers are given the push after pretty much fulfilling their remit when they set out. In Watford’s case, Nigel Pearson took over the Hornets had one win in 15 games and looked doomed. He leaves them three points above the dropzone, still in danger but certainly in a much stronger position than they were. It seems a frank exchange with Gino Pozzo led to Pearson getting the boot, despite almost fulfilling his remit. Over in West Yorkshire, the decision to relieve Cowley of his duties raised a few more eyebrows. He took over a Huddersfield side in freefall, staring successive relegation in the face. Sunderland are a testament to what can happen when that occurs and The Terriers had to avoid it at all costs. Cowley, who won three trophies in as many years with Lincoln City, was 13th in the table if only looking at matches played after his arrival, a great effort at a club fractured and broken when he arrived. He has kept them up, but has been removed with Carlos Corberan, Leeds’ assistant, likely to take over.” George Elokobi has agreed a new deal with Maidstone United. The 34-year-old defender, who is club captain, will also be coaching at the club’s academy. Ebbsfleet United midfielder Frankie Sutherland will not be at the club next season. Sutherland has made the decision to leave full-time football to pursue a business opportunity. The 26-year-old, who signed for the club after leaving Bromley last August, has used his break since the coronavirus lockdown to go into business with his father-in-law, and so has been unable to commit to full-time football for 2020/21. Bury have been placed in the North West Counties Football League – Division 1 North some seven promotions from League One. Clapton CFC have successfully acquired ownership of the Old Spotted Dog ground. Charlton, Hull and Wigan were relegated from the Championship. In League One Bolton and Southend were relegated with Tranmere taking the third spot. They have won three on the bounce and Wimbledon are three points above them but played a game more. Stevenage have made the signing of Romain Vincelot. He joins Alex Revel and Russell Slade there. Ebbsfleet, Maidenhead, Flyde and Chorley finished in the bottom four places in the NFL. Dan Holman returned to Kettering (the Poppies) from Brackley Town. He was part of their promotion side of 2018/19. Watford directors got their comeuppance for sacking Pearson. They were relegated along with Norwich and Bournemouth. We are reported to be interested in Manny Onariase at Dagenham. Bolton are also interested. Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsApps Goals Apps Goals West Ham United 2015–16 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brentford 2016–17 Championship 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0 0 0 Cheltenham Town (loan)2016-7 League Two 22 1 — — - 2 0 24 1 Cheltenham Town 2017–18 League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 Rotherham United 2018–19 Championship 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0 Cheltenham Town(loan)2017–8 League Two 5 0 — — — - 5 0 Dagenham & Redbridge(loan)2018–19 Nat League 29 0 — — - - 2 0 31 0 Dagenham & Redbridge 2019–20 Nat League 28 2 1 0 — - 3 0 32 2 Career total 84 3 1 0 0 0 9 0 94 3 From the Non-League Paper of 28 January 2019. Manny Onariase (Dagenham & Redbridge) – The towering center-back performed brilliantly as the Daggers were almost caught out be a seemingly resurgent Aldershot on Saturday, Onariase helped to keep the Shots attackers at bay as Dagenham finished off with a somewhat fortunate point. The season will start on 12 September. Lots of clubs are shedding players including York (13) and Barnet (12) including Shaquile Coulthirst plus seven at Dagenham including Gabriel Zakuani with one player leaving for Bolton and another, Manny Onarias out of contract. My feeling is players will be offered another contract vastly lower than the one they are on given the current climate. Some clubs will promote from their youth team. This from Barnet: “All players were offered new deals for next season, albeit the finances attached to those deals were less than previous terms that were paid when we were in the EFL. “This reflects the position that all clubs at our level are in, although we have suffered the double whammy of the loss of relegation parachute payments, as well as the pandemic. We are sorry to see those players go but with some having offers at clubs higher up the football pyramid, we completely respect their decisions.” There will be many players out of contract next season for us. As far as I could make out they are: Happe, Coulson, Sweeney, Brophy, Ling, Dayton, Maguire-Drew, McAnuff, Judd, Clay, Vigouroux, Widdowson, Johnson, Turley, Angol, Wright, Wilkinson, Shabani, Kyprianou assuming the contract he was given from 1st July 2019 was for two years and Dennis though the length of his contract was never disclosed. That leaves two, Sergeant and Cissé. Martin Ling’s contract also expires. Dover are in danger of going out of business after their 14 contracted players refused to accept a 20% short-term pay reduction. They were all made available for free transfer as an initial immediate step. Their chairman said “I must further inform supporters that if a solution or further investment cannot be found by the end of August, it is likely that the directors will consider the club insolvent, and as a consequence, will be forced to cease trading. The directors are doing everything they can to keep the club afloat, but have reached an impasse and require the support of our playing squad.” Bromley released seven and Welling four. Impressive stats from World Football net Wright finished as top scorer on eight in 2958’, Maguire-Drew on seven in 1959’, Sotiriou five in 698, Wilkinson five in 2056’, Angol four in 1704, Brophy, Harrold and Johnson on two and one each for Alabi, Cisse, Coulson, Dayton, Dennis, Happe, Turley and Widdowson. Marsh had the most bookings with nine followed by Clay on eight with five each from Angol, Brophy, Happe, Maguire-Drew and Wilkinson. Another 32 were handed out. Wright, Brophy, Clay and Happe spent the most minutes on the pitch and the same four started the most games. Manny Onariase didn’t join Bolton or us but opted for Scunthorpe. Maybe just as well given he has only made 22 EFL appearances. They paid an undisclosed fee for him but don’t have a manager. They have signed five players, so have Carlisle. Matt Harrold joined the O’s coaching staff. Also coaching was Dean Cox at Eastbourne but playing as well. Manager Danny Bloor told the club’s website: “Everyone loves Coxy and I’m delighted that we not only have him back for another season, but we’ve given him an upgrade! Paul McCallum joined Dagenham on a three-year deal from Solihull. Last season he was also on loan at Barnet making 6(2) apps scoring five goals. Droylsden FC have as of today resigned from the Northern Premier League and will also take no part in Cup Competition this season. Jake Caprice left Tranmere for Exeter and Ollie Palmer joined Wimbledon after turning down a contract with Crawley. Zain Westbrooke left Coventry for Bristol Rovers. He played five games for us on loan from Brentford 2017/2018. Third and fourth-tier clubs have voted in favour of squad salary caps in a bid to tackle the “profound” financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. League One clubs have agreed a £2.5m squad cap, with League Two sides opting for a £1.5m limit. Both caps will be introduced with immediate effect, the EFL said. It is understood Championship clubs have no plans at this stage to hold a formal vote on a cap, but Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee says they have to act. “Let’s see if more realism now permeates the Championship, where player wages incredibly outstrip club turnover.” Deloitte reported earlier this year that second-tier clubs had a combined wages-to-turnover ratio of 107 per cent in their 2018-19 accounts, and lost a combined £300m. At League Two level 22 clubs were in favour of the cap, with just two opposed. There are a number of exemptions. Players under 21 are understood to be exempt from the cap, as are players whose deals were agreed before the introduction of the cap. Trouble at Charlton. Prospective new Charlton owner Paul Elliott and lawyer Chris Farnell have both had their applications to take over the League One club rejected by the English Football League. In a statement released on Friday, the EFL said three individuals were "subject to a disqualifying condition". BBC Sport understands Elliott and Farnell are two of the three. The precise reason for the decision is not known. However, it is understood that EFL officials have been trying to get proof of funding from East Street Investments [ESI], the company that bought Charlton from Roland Duchatelet in January. Earlier on Friday, before the EFL decision was released, the Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust wrote to Elliot and urged him to "come clean" and explain why he had not met EFL regulations. "We don't demand the release of commercially sensitive detail but surely, we deserve better than the fog of bland and empty reassurance that is all we have been offered so far," the letter said. Chris Farnell's directorship was later terminated. Charlton are also considering their legal position over the 12-point deduction given to Sheffield Wednesday for breaking spending rules, which does not take effect until next season. Had it been activated this term, Wednesday would have been relegated from the Championship instead of the Addicks. Jerome Binnom-Williams is one of five players released by Halifax who also placed another two on the transfer list. Sutton United midfielder Harry Beautyman, 28, has agreed a new contract with the club after scoring 15 goals in 34 games during the 2019-20 season. Southend signed Weymouth manager Mark Molesley as their new manager on a three-year deal. The former Bournemouth and Aldershot midfielder, 39, has taken Weymouth to the National League after two promotions in two seasons. Not sure I understand this but Macclesfield have been relegated not Stevenage. I’ll let the BBC explain “Macclesfield Town have been relegated to the National League after the English Football League won an appeal against a points deduction. The decision means a reprieve for Stevenage, who will retain their League Two status. Macclesfield had been given a suspended four-point sanction, but that will be applied immediately, dropping the Silkmen to the foot of the table. The EFL said an independent panel's decision was "final and binding". Meanwhile in Northampton Liquidators are suing the wife of a man at the centre of a failed football stadium development in which millions of pounds of public money disappeared. Mandy Grossman is facing action following the collapse of 1st Land Ltd which was set up to rebuild Northampton Town's ground. Deloitte, acting on behalf of creditors, is seeking £837,000 from her and two unrelated companies. Mrs Grossman, from Bushey, did not respond to a request for comment. 1st Land Ltd went bust after receiving the bulk of a £10.25m loan paid out by Northampton Borough Council to the football club. 1st Land's sole director and husband of Mrs Grossman, property developer Howard Grossman, was banned from running companies for 10 years in 2019 over his conduct. Dover are about £250,000 short of balancing the books. Two players recently left the club. Carabao Cup Round One starts 5 September 2020 (alternative dates may apply) Friendlies are all behind closed doors: 15th August – Reading U23’s (H) – 1pm 19th August – TBC 22nd August – Northampton Town (A) – 1pm 25th August – West Ham U23’s (H) – 7pm 29th August – TBC 31st August – Bishop’s Stortford (A) – 7.45pm Bonne has been linked with Burnley, Fulham and Norwich City. Ipswich Town right-back 21 year-old Barry Cotter has spent the week training with us. The Irishman joined Town from Limerick in January 2018 and has made three senior starts and one sub appearance for the Blues. In February, the Irish U21 call-up underwent surgery for a ruptured adductor having suffered the injury late on in the U23s’ 2-2 home draw with Watford a fortnight previously. Charlie Lee has signed an extended contract with National League side Yeovil. 14 August. Finally Sotiriou signed two year contract. 15 August. First friendly was at home to Reading U23 which we won 2-0 with goals from Clay and Angol. A trialist played both halves at 11 if being the last person on the team sheet is 11. Rumoured to be Shaquile Coulthirst or 6'4 - 6'5 tall Kion Etete, a Spurs U23 striker. On a Spurs website neither he or George Marsh were rated a the most exciting prospect. Video highlights. We are to visit Forest Green Rovers in the Carabao Cup on 5th September. We are in group G in the EFL Trophy with AFC Wimbledon, Charlton Athletic, Brighton & Hove Albion U23’s. Connor Essam has joined Dartford. Nathan Clarke has extended his stay at AFC Halifax. FC Halifax Town have signed 32-year- old midfielder Luke Summerfield from fellow National League side Wrexham. Defender Alex Finney has agreed a new contract with Aldershot. 19 August. In a match at Leyton Stadium for the JE3 Cup we beat Spurs U23 6-2. You may have thought the game was over before the half hour when against the run of play three balls found a square Spurs defence and we were 3-0 up. From the club website: Jobi McAnuff’s quick free-kick found Dayton in acres of space behind the opposition defence, who rounded the ‘keeper and placed the ball over the line with his left boot. A second goal soon followed and Orient once again capitalised on a high defensive line. Jamie Turley’s 60-yard pass floated to the edge of the box, where Angol took one touch to set himself, before scooping an effort into the net. Orient had a third half-an-hour into the match. Maguire-Drew dinked the ball over the onrushing Spurs ‘keeper after Sam Sargeant’s kick travelled all the way through to the O’s number ten, who kept his composure to finish from a tight angle. But poor defending from Ling then Brophy and Ling meant we went into the break 3-2. Ruel Sotiriou tore Tottenham’s defence open with a bullish run forward before assisting Angol, who whacked the ball into the top corner moments before the 60th minute. Conor Wilkinson’s free-kick from the edge of the area clattered the crossbar and could well have crossed the line on the way back down, however, the ball bounced back into a penalty area and was tapped home by our trialist (believed to be Shaquile Coulthirst ). Wilkinson was involved again for his team’s sixth and final goal. The 25-year-old flicked the ball up for himself to volley the ball down the right-hand channel to Danny Johnson, who cut inside before curling his shot into the bottom corner. Video highlights. 21 August. Friendly at Northampton. Lost 1-0. A goal on 15 minutes sealed the game when Widdowson allowed a cross from the wing which was swiftly hammered into the net without much marking from Judd. Brophy came on for Sotiriou but his one shot sailed wide. Angol had chances but preferred to keep taking touches rather than first time into the net but he also found the bar. Dennis was again not in attendance. Orient’s next pre-season fixture is Wednesday 26th July, when we welcome West Ham U23’s. Video highlights. With club favourites Nyren Clunis and Preston Edwards already announced as leaving, Dulwich Hamlet have announced the departure of ten players ahead of next season. 26 August. Home to West Ham U23. We were a goal down on 6’ after Widdowson lost possession and two down on 12’ after McAnuff had give away a free kick. Three nil after Ling put through his own net after a pass to the opposition from Widdowson. Angol got one back in the second half. Video highlights. First Half: Sargeant, Ling, Widdowson, McAnuff, Maguire-Drew, Papadopoulos, Sotiriou, Turley, Ogie, Johnson Wright. Second Half: Sargeant, Cisse, Happe, Coulson, Clay, Wilkinson, Dayton, Judd, Brophy, Ifeanyi, Angol. Home to Gillingham on Saturday. Yeovil have signed midfielder Jimmy Smith, 33, on a one-year deal following his release by Crawley and a loan spell at Huish Park last season. Scott Wagstaff left AFC Wimbledon for Forest Green on a free. Scott played seven games for us in 2012 with out scoring on loan from Charlton. He has also played for Bristol City and Gillingham since leaving us. Seems that Peterborough may never have be interested in Sotiriou as they just paid £1.25m for Bristol Rovers striker Jonson Clarke-Harris. 29 August. Friendly at home to Gillingham 1-0 (Johnson). Vigouroux, Ling, Cisse, Happe, McAnuff, Wilkinson (45’), Maguire- Drew, Brophy, Turley, Johnson, Wright. Substitutes: Sargeant, Widdowson, Coulson, Clay, Dayton, Angol (45’), Ogie. According to the Spurs website we were beaten 4-0 by their U18’s though nothing yet on the O’s website. EFL Trophy Fixtures Tuesday 8th September, 7pm – Brighton & Hove Albion U23 (H) Tuesday 6th October, 7pm – AFC Wimbledon (H) Tuesday 10th November 7.45pm – Charlton Athletic (A) 31 August away to Bishops Stortford. Won 0-1 thanks to a trialist. Starting 11 were Sergeant, Widdowson, Coulson, Clay, Dayton, Young, Ifeanyi, Marfo, Ofie, trialist x 2. Second half Sergeant, Marfo, Apat, Francois-Vernal, Papadopolus, Frempong, M. Young, Ogie, Ifeanyi, trialist x 2. 2 September. Dale Gorman signed for Glentoran. We signed 19 year-old right back Jordan Thomas on a season-long loan. He has made precisely one substitute appearance for Norwich’s first team coming on in the 89th minute in the 5-0 thrashing by Man City. Looks like we have abandoned signing a centre back that can play right back? Cambridge United will stage two test events at their Abbey Stadium, starting with their EFL Trophy match with Fulham Under 21s on Tuesday (September 8), followed by their League Two opener against Carlisle United on Saturday September 12. The selected fixtures will have a capacity of 1,000 and 2,500 respectively. 5 September away to Forest Green Rovers in the Carabao Cup. We could have been a goal down early on except fro a good save by Vigouroux instead a hopeless tackle on the half way line by Ling exposed the flank and with Ling doing his customary jog back into defence the incoming cross was turned into his own net by Happe. If the video highlights are anything to go by we did nothing in the first half. Things changed for the second half after 49’ when a lob from Ling found Johnson. He turned inside and with his left foot lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box. Three minutes later McAnuf found Wilkinson halfway in their half on the wing. Cutting between two defenders his left foot shot put us into the next round. Clay didn’t have any luck with his left foot shot and clever work by Angol on the wing went unrewarded. A header from Coulson was palmed over by their keeper. We only had 33% of the play, Angol and McAnuff were booked. Team: Vigouroux, Ling, Cisse, Happe, Coulson, McAnuff, Wilkinson, Brophy, Johnson, Angol, Clay. Substitutes: Sargeant, Widdowson(Wilkinson 90), Dayton(Clay 72), Turley, Wright(McAnuff 84), Thomas, Maguire-Drew. Video highlights. Home to Plymouth in next round. Ex O’s: Bonne opened the scoring for Charlton, Koroma started for Huddersfield but they still lost as did Stevenage when Curtbert scored. Abrahams scored two for Newport County. Never see the point of forums. People who have an opinion seem to have believe theirs is the one that counts. The LOFCFORUM has a couple of feeds regarding Ling v Judd. Bottom line appears to be there are some that think Sam is only in the team because of Dad. Or that both are as bad as each other. This from Biggsymalone “I just watched the goal and its exactly what I said in my post. Ling gets caught out going for a ball on the halfway line, leaving his man unmarked behind him. He doesn’t win the ball and Coulson has to come across to cover. He barely breaks a sweat trying to get back in and help.” WaigO “Not usually one to single players out but Ling was barely adequate in the National League so we shouldn’t be surprised he looks well out of his depth at League 2 level. He is the weakest link in the team defensively and he was caught out of position countless times yesterday including for the goal. It’s clear that teams are targeting attacks down that side. It’s good to see that we’ve brought in a new signing to cover the position and hopefully he is up to it. How long will Boss wait though to throw him in?” O My Gawd “Having just watched the highlights, I just cannot see how Ling can be blamed for the goal. Credit where it is due for his ball over the top for Johnson for the equaliser. Some people's agendas on here are embarrassing. Everyone going on saying Judd was better in pre-season, yet no one watched any pre-season. I've said it before Ling has the edge on Judd, but hoping the new loanee from Norwich will be an improvement on both. Then you get this “I see that afc wimbledon have bid 45.000 for his services its on twitter ao i have been told.” Followed by “The Twitter account that posted this specialises in talking utter ******** - they posted about 2 months ago saying we had SIGNED (not just interested in or made an offer) Winger Elliott Freer from Forest Green Rovers on a 2 year deal with an option for a third, which obviously, we hadn't. I'd take no notice of this at all.” 8 September home to Brighton and Hove Albion U21 EFL Trophy. From the Orient Twitter account: 36' GOAL!! Lingy heads the ball in, off the underside of the bar! A JMD free-kick is nodded back into the danger zone by Jamie Turley, Brighton fail to clear and Ling applies the killer touch. From the Argus: Dan Johnson makes it 2-0 in the 55th minute. He had his back to goal and Dendoncker marking him as he controlled a low cross but he turned and crashed home a shot. Great finish. Brighton fought back to 2-2 then Angol missed a penalty. Wilkinson’s goal bound shot hit the ground on the way in for the win. Team: Sergeant, Ling, Widdowson, Magire-Drew, Dayton, Thomas, Sotiriou, Turley, Ogie, Johnson, Wright. Subs: Vigouroux, Happe, Coulson, Clay(Ling 58), Wilkinson(Dayton 64), Angol(Johnson 58), Judd. Video highlights. 12 September. Away to Oldham. (0-1 Johnson). Can a team that only signed one player beat a team that signed 13? Goalless at half time though we had five shots but none were on target. We had 58% of the play. Brophy interviewed on YouTube was described as a defender. Johnson scored in the 89 minute assisted by Jamie Turley with a headed pass following a set piece situation. Turley had replaced the injured Happe. Team: Vigouroux, Ling, Coulson, Happe, Brophy, Dayton(McAnuff 58), Clay, Cissé, Angol, Wilkinson, Johnson. Subs: Sergeant, Widdowson, McAnuff, Magire-Drew, Sotiriou(Wilkinson 62), Turley(Happe 66), Wright. Video Highlignts. Some on the lofcforum thought the game was rubbish. Sky must have thought so as their highlights were three seconds long. The U18’s lost to Southend 2-0. Must of this from the Southend Echo: Southend have a long serving transfer embargo has left the squad short of experience and Blues are currently being forced to field what is basically an under 23 side. The squad that was selected on Saturday was the youngest in the Shrimpers’ 114 year history and, in truth, it showed when they were beaten at Roots Hall 0-4 by visiting newcomers Harrogate. Having to select seven players aged 22 or under in the same starting line-up is a recipe for disaster. Meanwhile the winding-up order against Southend United has been adjourned for a 4th time until 28 October, with nearly £0.5m still owed to HMRC. Meaning they'll still be under a transfer embargo until after the window closes. 15 September. Home to Plymouth in the Carabao Cup. (3-2 Dennis, McAnuff, Johnson). We were all over them. Timetable: 4’ Attempt missed. Jordan Thomas. 6’ Attempt saved. Jordan Maguire-Drew. 6’ Attempt missed. Jamie Turley. 7, Attempt saved. Ruel Sotiriou. 12’ Attempt blocked. Lee Angol. 15’ Attempt missed. Jordan Maguire-Drew. 17’ Attempt saved. Ruel Sotiriou and two minutes later they scored, even their website agreed it was against the run of play. Despite another three attempts in the next 15 minutes they scored again. No marking from Widdowson for the first goal and four players attracted to the ball allowed an unmarked Watts to score. Maybe Thomas should have marked him? It took us ten minutes after the restart to get one back when Maguire-Drew crossed the ball across the face of the goal for Dennis to volley in. Nineteen minutes later we were level when Thomas’ through ball beat the offside trap and McAnuff lobbed the goalie. Danny Johnson came on immediately and they said on Twitter at 90’ we were heading for penalties. But Brophy’s long punt up the wing, instead of being put into touch (easy), the defender attempted to control the ball (not so easy) and Johnson pounced and got the winner. Team: Vigouroux, Widdowson, Coulson, McAnuff, Maguire-Drew, Thomas, Dennis, Angol, Soririou, Turley, Wright, Subs, Sargeant, Ling Cissé, Dayton(Dennis 62), Brophy(Coulson 51), Ogie, Johnson(Angol 74). That set up a tie at home to Spurs. Video highlights. If the trialist who scored two goals was Coulthirst then we won’t signing him as he signed for Boreham Wood on a one-year contract after he left fellow National League side Barnet earlier this summer. He scored a first half hat trick in a friendly against Slough Town Alan McCormack signed for Southend. Macclesfield Town FC were wound up in High Court over debts exceeding £500,000 which is a weeks wages for Gareth Bale who has just signed for Spurs on loan. Dodgy owners yet again. You have to wonder when the EFL are going to own up to their incompetence. 19 September. Home to Mansfield. (2-2 Johnson, Sotiriou). Late late show again. In the first half the goalie made a good save from Sorirou and Johnson hit the upright. We went a goal down after Brophy gave away a penalty. They then got another. Johnson got one back late on after a rebound from the keeper. Sotiriou got the equaliser in added time after a good run from Brophy. Weak lins for me were Dayton and Happe. Team: Vigouroux, Ling, Cissé, Happe, Coulson, Maguire-Drew, Dayton, Brophy, Soririou, Johnson. Subs, Sargeant, Widdowson, McAnuff(Clay 61), Wilkinson, Thomas, Dennis(Maguire-Drew 62), Angol(Cissé 77). Southend and Grimsby, Bolton and Oldham are pointless at the bottom whilst unbeaten at the top are Cambridge and Port Vale. Eight teams are on four points. Video highlights. On the lofcforum most seemed to agree with my assessment of Dayton’s performance. Top marks were given to Vigouroux, Johnson and Sotiriou. Some thought Coulson lacked pace and others blamed Ling for the second goal. Looking at the video he did do his “not too bothered” jog back into defence and then failed to mark anyone. Others thought that Brophy’s best position was left wing whilst Dayton was not being played in his usual right wing position and Sotiriou was being played on the left whereas he was a natural right sided player. Some Orient players tested positive for Covid so the match against Spurs in the Carabao Cup may be forfeited. And this is what happened. Spurs had requested the O’s be tested and paid something like £6000 for it to be done. One Spurs blogger seemed to believe we had bought it only ourselves as the players had been out parting. There is no evidence for this as there is no evidence that there were 17, 18, or 19 reported players involved as the club statement quoted “several” players were affected. Nigel Travis said it was a charter not to have players tested. Plymouth also reported players testing positive yet their game was not postponed. Grimsby had one 19 year-old tested positive and called their game off. “Asked about the fairness of the situation, Spurs head coach, Jose Mourinho said: “I think they have to be very very upset. I think they have to. I have total sympathy for them. “I don’t think they did anything wrong. They were tested. I think they deserve to play against us, no doubts about it.” Stevenage’s game at Bradford though went ahead, despite three members of their squad testing positive for the virus, yet Grimsby postponed their match with one positive case. I thought if you came into contact with anyone with the virus you had to siolate for 14 days. With nothing forthcoming from the EFL so no decision means they cannot be blamed for anything. Merthyr Town chairman Howard King insists they had to pull out of the new Southern League season of face going bust because of the coronavirus. News that the Martyrs are going into hibernation and withdrawing from the Southern League’s Premier Division South was officially confirmed in a club statement on Monday after rumours of the move began circulating over the weekend. Manager Gavin Williams is being retained but their players have been told they are free to find other clubs. The Martyrs have also withdrawn from the FA Cup, handing Poole a free pass into the next round 24 hours before they were due to meet at Penydarren Park on Tuesday night in the first qualifying round. The Martys are following in the footsteps of Isthmian League South East Guernsey. As reported in Sunday’s NLP, they also had no option but to pull out of season 2020/21 because of coronavirus travel restrictions to the Channel Islands. George Porter has signed for Maidstone United. The former Bromley man joins the National League South club having served a suspension from the game for a breach of betting rules. It is a return to familiar surroundings, with the attacking player rejoining a club he represented back in 2015. Barnet have signed defender Jerome Binnom-Williams. He recently left fellow National League play-off participants FC Halifax Town. Gabriel Zakuani announced his retirement. Jamie Cureton has been appointed manager of Enfield. QPR have signed Macauley Bonne for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal. possible payday for us and Colchester. Danny Johnson has been awarded the Devines Player of The Month award for September. The number 39 has been in red-hot form, scoring in every game The O’s have played this season, and taking his run of consecutive goalscoring to seven straight games. Kilmarnock's Scottish Premiership match with Motherwell has been called off with the home side's entire squad advised to self-isolate for 14 days. The game at Rugby Park was due to take place later on Friday but all home players have been told to stay away. It follows Kilmarnock confirming a further three Covid-19 cases late on Thursday after three positive tests earlier in the week. 3 October. Home to Cheltenham (0-2). Anyone thinking we would get a result after not training together for two weeks was dreaming. Weak links were Wright whose free kicks and corners mainly went astray, Ling who showed no marking and no urgency to do so, Widddowson well out of position as centre back after Turley was still unwell and Happe was was an unused sub. The replacement of Wright, Dennis Wilkinson by Sotiriou, Angol and Magire-Drew did not put any spark into a match where we took too long to get out of defence and Cheltenham were content to sit on their two goal lead. It was too easy for Cheltenham to find their wingers with little or no marking from Ling, Brophy (not a defender) and Widdowson. The first easy pass to the wing came on 16’ when Ling showed no eagerness to close down the winger and with Vigouroux only managing to parry the shot Ling was on the wrong side of his man and punted the ball into his own net. On 29 the same senario with their left winger having all the time in the world to make his cross and Widdowson a yard or two away from the resulting header into the net. Embleton said we would sign a centre back by before the Monday deadline and one wonders why it has taken all these months since Ekipeta left and Ogie was allowed to go on a month’s loan to Aldershot No sign of Thomas. Team: Vigouroux, Ling, Cissé, Widdowson, Coulson, Brophy, Wright, McAnuff, Dennis, Johnson, Wilkinson. Subs, Sargeant, Clay, Dayton, Happe, Maguire-Drew(Wright 68), Soririou(Dennis 68), Angol(Wilkinson 67). Video highlights. So what did others think? View From The West Stand had this to say “A game in which... the global scientific community discovered multiple new symptoms of Covid-19, including complete loss of positional sense, deterioration in the ability to understand the basic concepts of a game and – in the case of Sam Ling – an overwhelming compulsion to boot a football into his own net. So let me be clear: THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR THIS PERFORMANCE.” In the lofcfoum from cheshunto “we should try 4-4-2 and put Widdowson back at LB, push Brophy forward. Turley or Thomas at RB as Ling was poor today.” moonwalk19 “The trouble is other teams know exactly how we play . We have got to have a plan B because plan A is not working.” On Ling and Widdowson from Orient till I die “National league south standard at best.” Beradogs “Ling is literally the fullback who has it all. He is zero attacking threat and can’t defend for toffee.” gshaw “Widdowson was a rock solid LB for us winning the NL, should've been one of two players in that position competing for the LB gig. The fact he's ended up at CB now with a winger in his place speaks volumes.” Ronnie Hotdogs “Lung[Ling] is a different matter. Everyone knows he’s not up to it at this level - us fans, the opposition, his team mates, he must know it himself. There’s only 2 people who can’t see it.” ComeOnYouOs “I find it strange that a right back was brought in about 4 weeks ago, yet Ling, who is inferior to the new guy, is still playing on a regular basis. If Widdowson is a centre back, I'm king of Siam. It's blatantly obvious he isn't. I expected to lose today. Almost no training for 2 weeks, and illness in the camp, was obviously going to affect the boys. Might take a few weeks to get back to fitness.” Orient Till I Die again “Honestly how can you watch Ling every week and say he is league 2 standard ? You either only pay for the commentary or your related to him but he is useless and widdowson compared to the likes of previous left backs could be up there with the worst. Brophy is not even a defender and better at LB. We need a new CB to cover Coulson or replace him if possible and Thomas needs to play or we will continue to leak goals and Ling will continue to not stop crosse.” Donut “Ling is usually marking wide open spaces as far away from the action as possible. Sometimes he gets lucky and gets involved.” Some wondered if Judd was fit. Elsewhere Bonne came on in the 64’ and scored six minutes into added time for a point. There is a rumour we made £360,000 from his deal being the sale at £2m less the £200k we got from Charlton. Armand Gnanduillet was signed on a free by Altay Izmir (Turkey). Also at Blackpool Marvin Ekpiteta has made five apps and appeared on the winning side once as well as being booked twice. His brother Marvel joined Dover after Macclesfield went bust. Koroma at Huddersfield has also appeared five times and also been on the winning side once. Binnom-Williams career got off to a bad start as Barnet were beaten 1-5 at home to Eastleigh. Tuesday 6 October. Home to AFC Wimbledon FA Trophy (2-0 Angol pen, Wilkingson). Despite a statement that we would sign a centre back before Monday we were to announce a signing at half time. The players on the bench Saturday were given a run out but not Sotiriou who had been called up into the Cyprus U21 team. That means he will not return until the 14th and then may need to isolate for 14 days. Supporters screaming out for the inclusion of Judd got their wish. Angol scored from the spot on 33’ and Wilkinson lobbed the keeper from 20 yards for our second after a fine pass from Sweeney. The signing was another young kid without first team experience in 21 year-old Tunji Akinola from West Ham on a season long loan, he has played exactly ten games outside any U21/23 league he has played in. 2, 3, 3, 2 in the last five seasons. Which means he has played against adults in the Football League Trophy against 2016/2017 Wycombe & Northampton. 2017/2018 Swindon, Wycombe, Luton. 2018/2019 Bristol Rovers, Exeter, Yeovil. 2020/2021 Southend, Colchester. As someone pointed out, he is not here to warm the bench every week. No news of Thomas. Team: Sergeant, Widdowson, Judd, Happe, Coulson, Clay, Maguire-Drew, Dayton, Brophy, Angol, Wright. Subs: Vigouroux, Ling, Wilkinson, Dennis, Shabani, Sweeney, Kyprianou. Video highlights. Sammy Lee took up playing as he signed for Folkstone Invicta. Michael Petrasso joined Barnet. He played 3(1) games for us during Sept-Oct 2014. Gary Woods joined Aberdeen from Oldham on loan. The keeper played 22(1) for us after we signed him from Watford in 2014. We loaned him to Ross County and he then joined Hamilton where he played 94 games. We may see Kazaiah Sterling down here yet as he was loaned to Southend. 10 October away to Barrow (1-1 Johnson). Ling got booked in the seventh minute and Happe was sent off two minutes later which looked harsh. The resulting free kick was well saved by Vigouroux. Nine minutes after that Barrow took the lead. In total referee Andy Haines dished out ten yellow cards Ling, Cissé, Wilkinson, Johnson, Dennis and McAnuff for us. Johnson got us the point on 50’ when Dennis won the ball on the half way line and passed to Clay whose fine through ball found the running Johnson. Barrow should have wrapped it up but a free header went over the bar. No marking from Akinola who got himself behind both player and ball. Rather than in front of both. Team: Vigouroux, Ling, Cissé, Coulson, Brophy, Happe, Clay, Dennis, Johnson, Wilkinson, Dayton. Subs, Sargeant, Wright, McAnuff(Dennis 67), Maguire-Drew, Widdowson(Dayton 15), Kyprianou, Akinola(Ling 67'). Video highlights. More highlights. Despite putting in a good shift against Wimbledon Judd did not even make the bench at Barrow. Martin Ling recorded this on Orient Outlook in November 2019 about Myles Judd. Not sure that explains him being kept out of the team though. Sotiriou scored in the seventh minute to help the Cyprus U21’s to a win at Belarus. Anthony Papadopoulos and Tristan Francois-Vernal have joined Harlow Town on a one month, work experience loan. Anthony, a midfielder and Tristan a defender, joined their new club late last week and even featured for Orient in pre-season against Bishop’s Stortford. The youth team lost 3-0 at Northampton. Nothing on the club website. 13 October. Away to Wallsall (2-1 Johnson). A goal up by Johnson in 15’ following a bad back pass was equalised ten minutes later. Nobody picked up the scorer. On 33’ Vigouroux saved a penalty caused by the inability of Akinola to put the ball into touch. Sixteen minutes after half time the Saddlers got the winner. Three players Akinola, Wright and Coulson ran towards the player (15) with the ball and left Akinola’s man unmarked. We had five shots whilst they had 14. Two were on target. Judd apparently is suffering from a tight hamstring. Team: Vigouroux, Akinola, Widdowson, Cissé, Coulson, Brophy, Wright, McAnuff, Johnson, Wilkinson, Dayton. Subs, Sargeant, Sweeney, Maguire-Drew(Dayton69), Clay(Cissé 78), Turley(Wright 78), Kyprianou, Ling. Video highlights. This could, ignoring Harrowgate, be us “Can not believe how deep we are. Not good enough to play it out from so deep so everyone is just going to high press against us and we barely get to the half way line before losing possession. Fair play Harrogate they pressed and we can’t keep hold of the ball.” It was penned by a Bradford City supporter. The U18’s were knocked of the EFL Youth Alliance Cup at home to Southend United 0-4. Nothing on the club website. Top Row:- Louis Dennis, Josh Coulson, Ousseynou Cissé, Conor Wilkinson, Danny Happe, Lee Angol, Hector Kyprianou, Shadrach Ogie, Jamie Turley, Brendon Shabani, Joe Widdowson. Middle:- Ketan Patel (Head Physiotherapist), Charlie George (Assistant), Joe Austin (First Team Performance Analyst), Matt Harrold (Coach), Danny Johnson, Josh Wright, Sam Sargeant, Dean Brill (Goalkeeper Coach), Lawrence Vigouroux, Craig Clay, Jordan Maguire-Drew, Michael Cooper (Head of Physical Performance), Melvin Hancock (Sports Therapist), Steve Foster (Chief Scout), Adrian Martin (Kit Manager). Front:- Sam Ling, James Dayton, James Brophy, Ruel Sotiriou, Ross Embleton (Manager), Martin Ling (Director of Football), Danny Senda (Assistant Head Coach), Jobi McAnuff (Player/Coach), Myles Judd, Jayden Sweeney, Jordan Thomas (Loanee/Norwich). 16 October home to Grimsby (2-3 Wilkinson, Maguire-Drew). Turley returned to replace Coulson whilst Happe replaced Widowson. Clay was preferred to McAnuff and Dayton made way for the returning Sotiriou. Witin five minutes we were a goal up as Sotiriou fed Wilkinson. The Mariners were level from a corner 17’ later and went a goal up on 32’ when a poor pass from Cissé found Sotiriou but he lost possession and Akinola failed to pick up the scorer. Basic mistake of not being between the ball and opposition. On 74’ Maguire-Drew put us back in it with a fine goal. On 67’ another basic mistake this time from Embleton saw Turley, a defender withdrawn and his position filled by Clay, not a defender. On 90+1 Clay gave away a penalty when the tackle should have been made by Brophy, also not a defender. Team: Vigouroux, Akinola, Cissé, Turley, Happe, Brophy, Wright, Clay, Johnson, Sotiriou, Wilkinson. Subs, Sargeant, Maguire-Drew(Wilkinson 62), Coulson, Widdowson, McAnuff(Turley 67), Dayton, Ling. Video highlights. Down to 18th and this is where “experts” say we will finish. So what are they saying on the lofcforum? This from Four four two I'm afraid that Embleton sets us up not to lose rather than to win. There was absolutely no creativity in that midfield before Jobi come on . It was a succession of slow sideways passes. Has Steve Davis come back ? If only we had a player who could drive forward and run at defences. Hang on we do ! We had one wasted at left back and another on the bench. Rather than overthinking it Embleton needs to get back to the basics and start with more attacking line ups. We need our left back Widdowson playing at left back. We need Brophy on the left wing We need JMD on the right wing We need Johnson and Soitrou playing in the centre where they can do damage We need Jobi starting in as many games as possible. We need 442 formation with players playing in their right positions. It didn't do us any harm when we nearly got to the Championship. We need to abandon this 'keep it tight and stay in the game ' type philosophy. Apart from that , everything is fine ! Another boarder pointed out that Akinola had played just two league games whereas Happe being two months older and had played over 100 games. The difference is as wide as a chasm. Despite being promised a signing before Friday’s deadline we didn’t get one. Our only hope now is to sign an unattached player though Southend signed an Arsenal player on loan on Sunday. We don’t need any more inexperienced young players. Apparently Thomas is still suffering from Covid. Not that you would know from the Club website. 20 October away to Tranmere Rovers (0-1 Johnson). Maguire-Drew, McAnuff and Coulson started. Keeping the bench warm were Wilkinson, Wright and Turley. Nothing on the website about Thomas or Judd. Rovers are two places and a point above us so a equally matched game. Written before kick off! Goalless at half time though we were having the higher percentage of play. When Wilkinson came on for Maguire-Drew things changed instantly when his shot two minutes later was palmed away but only as far as Clay. His first time pass found Johnson who controlled it, swivelled and shot past the goalie for all three points. Team: Vigouroux, Akinola, Coulson, Cissé, Brophy, Happe, McAnuff, Clay, Johnson, Sotiriou, Maguire-Drew. Subs, Sargeant, Wilkinson(Maguire-Drew 69), Widdowson(Sotiriou 86), Turley, Dayton(Brophy 90+5), Wright, Ling. Video highlights. Up to 15th and away to Alex Revell’s 18th placed Stevenage who lost at home to Newport tonight. 24 October away to Stevenage (0-2 Maguire-Drew, Wilkinson). Wilkinson was preferred to Maguire-Drew. Even with 60% of the play to us it was goalless at half time. Sotiriou made way for Maguire-Drew and it was he that scored the first goal a right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner on 62’ after a defenders pass bounced off Maguire-Drew and into Johnson’s path. His pass found Maguire-Drew. Four minutes later Wilkinson made it 0-2 with a left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jobi McAnuff. McAnuff made way for Dennis a minute later. Team: Vigouroux, Akinola, Coulson, Cissé, Brophy, Happe, McAnuff, Clay, Johnson, Sotiriou, Wilkinson. Subs, Sargeant, Widdowson, Turley, Dayton, Wright(Wilkinson.79), Maguire-Drew(Sotiriou 45) Dennis (McAnuff 67). Video highlights. Up one place to 14th. Bottom are Southend and Scunthorpe followed by Oldham, Mansfield, Stevenage and Barrow on five points. Top are Newport, Cambridge and Cheltenham. We play fifth placed Exeter at home on Tuesday. Charlie Daniels played his first game for Shrewsbury (on a short-term deal until January). but could not them losing at home to Rochdale. The 34-year-old was released by the Cherries in the summer, having scored 17 goals in 265 appearances during nine years with the club. The full-back featured just twice last season as Bournemouth were relegated from the Premier League. 27 October. Home to Exeter (1-1 Wilkinson). We took the lead in under five minutes when Maguire-Drew’s cross was passed to the far post for the unmarked Wilkinson. In the studio before the match former O Glen Wilkie suggested we test the young goal keeper who had no league experience with plenty of shots in the first 20 minutes. We totalled none. In fact only Maguire-Drew worried the 19 year-old Icelander with a free kick and a corner. Exeter cold not have played as bad as the first half and they didn’t scoring two minutes after the restart. Brophy was yards away from their winger and his cross found his man unmarked even though he was surrounded by three Orient players. It was the second time Clay was awful and nearly gave away another penalty when he bought down his man yards from the box. McAnuff was off par. Twice in the second half Maguire-Drew’s crosses were missed by Dennis. Not sure Wilkinson would have missed both. Team: Vigouroux, Akinola, Coulson, Cissé, Brophy, Happe, McAnuff, Clay, Johnson, Maguire-Drew, Wilkinson. Subs, Sargeant, Widdowson(Brophy 63), Turley, Dayton(McAnuff 87), Kyprianou, Wright, Dennis(Wilkinson 68). Video highlights. Up one place to 13th. Home to Bolton next. Brendon Shabani has joined National League South outfit Concord Rangers on-loan for a month. The death of Nobby Stiles was announced. He was 78. Sean Connery also passed away aged 90. Mansfield sacked their manager after four wins in 27 matches. 31 October. Home to Bolton (4-0 Johnson, McAnuff, Wilkinson, Clay). Johnson missed a penalty within two minutes after he was upended by their goalie who surprisingly was not even booked. Maybe the ref took pity on them as they did not have a goalie on the bench. Not that it made that much difference as Johnson scored on eight minutes, McAnuff from a free kick on 41' and Wilkinson from another free kick three minutes later. Twelve minutes into the second half Clay struck from all of 25 yards. Widdowson was preferred to Maguire-Drewe and that was the only change from the Exeter game. Team: Vigouroux, Akinola, Coulson, Widdowson, Cissé, Brophy, Happe, McAnuff, Clay, Johnson, Wilkinson. Subs, Sargeant, Turley, Dayton, Maguire- Drew(Wilkinson 84), Kyprianou, Wright(McAnuff 69), Dennis(Brophy 76). Up to eleventh. Away to Forest Green on Tuesday. They lost at Cheltenham today. Bottom of the division after losing their last five games are Southend and Scunthorpe whilst top are Newport who have won their last five. Ex O’s elsewhere: Parkes scored for Exeter and Alabi for Bromley but that was on 85' and didn't stop them losing. Jamar Loza came on in the 60' and scored two goals to help them win at home to Woking. They were 1-2 down when he came on. Bottom of the National League all on four points are Dagenham, Yeovil and Aldershot. Former league clubs Torquay, Hartlepool and Stockport are top. 3 November away to Forest Green (2-1 (Wright). Two set pieces and poor marking again (Akinola for the first and Clay/Widdowson for the winner) did for us. We seem incapable of picking up points from teams above us. McAnuff and Coulson were rested and Wright and Turley replaced them. There is a school of thought that believes McAnuff should be used as an impact player but I would prefer to see him start from minute one rather that being bought on when we are a goal down like tonight. Team: Vigouroux, Akinola, Widdowson, Turley, Cissé, Brophy, Happe, Clay, Wright, Johnson, Wilkinson. Subs, Sargeant, Coulson, Dayton, Maguire-Drew, Sotiriou(Johnson), McAnuff(Wright 83), Dennis(Wilkinson 83). BBC report. Video highlights. Back to 13th. FA Cup next at home to top of the table Newport who lost away to Carlisle this evening. Southend United have settled tax debts worth £493,931, with a winding-up petition against the League Two club dismissed in the High Court. On the pitch, the club are bottom of League Two and win-less after their first 11 matches following a away defeat at Bradford on Tuesday. 7 November. Home to Newport FA Cup (1-2 Kyprianou). I didn’t think we would proceed into the next round with Tuesdays team let alone this one. Coulson returned, Kyprianou started as did Dayton, McAnuff and Dennis to the exclusion of Cisse, Brophy, Happe, Clay and Wright. From the BBC site (in part) Newport's opener came after Vigoroux ventured out of his area to intercept a pass only to present possession to Baker. The lead lasted only four minutes, as Newport made a mess of clearing a corner and 19-year-old Kyprianou (handed a starting début) volleyed in the first goal of his senior career. On-loan Blackpool midfielder Devitt then hit the post before his brilliant winner. Team: Vigouroux, Akinola, Widdowson, Turley, Coulson, Kyprianou, Dayton, McAnuff, Johnson, Dennis, Wilkinson. Subs, Sargeant, Maguire- Drew(Widdowson 81), Cissé, Brophy(Wilkinson 68), Happe, Clay(Dayton 64), Wright). BBC report. Video highlights. Despite being a season ticket holder I have not paid to see any games that are non league. I find the style of play exasperating, continuing to press into the attacking half only for the play to find its way back to the keeper where a punt upfield means we have a 50% chance of losing possession. Continuing with players playing out of position. Getting young players on loan who have no league experience. This must damage the confidence of young O's players who may have more experience but are not given the chance. There is a growing belief that Akinola is not that good though he is not a right back. Ogie's loan at Aldershot was extended to the end of the season. Embleton said that Angol and Judd were still some way off of fitness with their hamstrings. The under-18s recorded their first EFL Youth Alliance victory of the season, courtesy of a Matthew Young double and Anthony Papadopoulos’ conversion from close range. ORIENT: St Paul, Palmer (Marfo 71′), Dunbar-Bonnie, Frempong (Lovatt 71′), Francois-Vernal, Solomon (Sodje 75′), Ifeanyi (Jayden Young 75′), Matt Young (C), Whyte, Papadopoulos, Tanga (Nkrumah 75′). GOALS: Matt Young 9′, 57′ – Antony Papadopoulos 70′. The U18’s were no better at staying in a cup losing 2-3 to Woking after being 2-0 up at half time thanks to a brace from Papadopoulos. Two own goals did not help. Video highlights. 10 November. Away to Charlton in the EFL Trophy of which Charlton's manager Lee Bowyer had this to say: "These competitions (EFL Trophy) ain’t for clubs like us, they’re not. They’re for the Premier League teams to play their u21s in there. They’re not for us. What are we gaining from it? Maybe a little bit of experience for our young lads but it’s silly. It’s pathetic. A stupid cup. No one cares. Who cares about it? I bet there’s not many who care about this cup. It’s not for us. I don’t know where it’s come from, I don’t think it was around when I was playing. It’s silly. You have a team that can put their u21 team in it. Who’s that for? That’s not a rule. What sort of competition is that. A Premier League team can put in their u21s. Pathetic.” As we are already through to the next round Embleton played those on the edge of fitness and those who had little first team time. Team: Sergeant, Ling, Widdowson, Maguire-Drew, Dayton, Thomas, Dennis, Turley, Sweeney, Kyprianou, Wright. Subs: Vigouroux, Cissé(Kyprianou 77), Happe, Coulson, Wilkinson, Brophy(Sweeney 82), Johnson(Dennis 82). We went a goal down after 12' when Ling was dispossessed. Two goals in the second half was offset with a goal from Dennis as we lost 3-1. Video highlights. Os defending was just woeful according to one Youtube viewer. According to Embleton Craig Clay suffered some soreness in his hamstrings. Crawley Town have signed goalkeeper Stuart Nelson on a free transfer. Adam Legzdins had been given a free transfer by Burnley. 14 November. Away to Colchester (2-1 Wilkinson/Ling). They were a point and two places above us. Clay's hamstrings must still be playing up as he missed this one. According to the 11v11 website we lost more games against Colchester (24) than we have won (17) though the 7-0 win in January 1952 would have been worth watching. Four games in the National League were postponed due to Covid but not the one at Barnet where Alabi scored Bromley's second. We was a goal down after ten minutes. No marking from Kyprianou with Coulson and Akinola static. Next page Previous page. Next page Previous page.