Orient number two confirms youngsters set to play against National League South outfit as well as a few first team players
Leyton Orient assistant manager Andy Hessenthaler admits tonight’s friendly at Bishop’s Stortford is a good opportunity for young Victor Adeboyejo to show what he can do.
The 17-year-old has enjoyed several cameo appearances lately under Ian Hendon after making his debut for the O’s against Peterborough last season.
He impressed against Scunthorpe United in the second round clash at Brisbane Road before coming on again in the replay at Glanford Park.
Adeboyejo was also introduced late on during the 1-1 draw with Yeovil Town, but couldn’t make a significant impact.
Hessenthaler revealed this evening’s clash at the ProKit UK Stadium is a chance for the talented forward as well as a few others.
“Victor is a young kid and we put him on against Yeovil to freshen it up. Blair Turgott, to be fair to him, started to get in the game more second half, but we thought Victor could bring a bit of pace and power,” said the Orient number two.
“It was never going to be easy for the kid – you are relying on a young kid to come on and change the game, but he may well have done it because I think he went out there and played with a little bit of freedom.
“He wasn’t nervous, he just went out there and enjoyed it. Bishop’s Stortford is another opportunity for him to get some minutes.
“We will go from there and prepare as normal for Boxing Day which is obviously a massive game against a very good side in Portsmouth.”
Connor Essam has recently returned to full fitness after a lengthy spell out, but hasn’t been able to get any minutes under his belt as of yet.
That is one of the reasons why Orient have arranged the pre-season friendly against Bishop’s Stortford this evening, a 7.30pm kick-off.
It appears Essam, Charlie Grainger as well as the likes of Freddy Moncur and some other younger members of the squad will get an opportunity to play.
Hessenthaler added: “Connor has been out for a while and he needs a run-out. We need to get a few a game because with the under-21 league you don’t get many matches.
“I got a phone call from the Bishop’s Stortford manager asking if we would bring a team to them and we agreed to do it because it gives an opportunity for Connor and a few others to get minutes into there legs.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here