The former Orient midfielder saw his National League South side push his old club all the way on Saturday in front of 622 spectators
Concord Rangers player-manager Sammy Moore revealed his delight after watching a crowd of 622 see his team take on Leyton Orient on Saturday and lose narrowly by a 3-2 scoreline.
Goals from Billy Knott and Nana Boakye-Yiadom put the Beach Boys in control after 13 minutes, but Macauley Bonne scored once in each half for the O’s and youngster Josh Koroma came off the bench to net an 83rd-minute winner for the visitors.
Nevertheless, Moore was thrilled to see a big attendance present and backed his old club to enjoy a successful season in the National League.
He said: “It was amazing to have 622 people at the stadium. I don’t think they got close to that type of gate last season.
“It was really pleasing to see a number of O’s fans come to support their side and I saw a lot of familiar faces so it was a great day.
“Afterwards I said to Justin (Edinburgh) I think Orient will do really well this season and it is pleasing to see and great for their supporters to have their club back.
“Let’s hope it is good times for them and it was also great to see so many Concord fans watching a brand new side which will hopefully go close to the play-offs in the National League South this season, but it is still a transitional period for us.
“When I come to watch Concord last season it was a bit flat and they just stayed up, so I wanted to bring the right players in, I felt that was important, and I’ve tried to bring in experienced ones to get a buzz back.
“On Saturday we had people in the bar an hour after full time, so there is a nice feel and I want it to be a family club and I have to thank all the Orient fans for coming down.”
While the O’s secured an impressive comeback victory, there were lots of positives for Concord to take.
Moore saw Boakye-Yiadom cause Orient several problems in the first half and at the back, the likes of Lee Minshull and Tyrone Sterling initially dominated the battle with Bonne and James Alabi.
Ex-O’s defenders Frazer Shaw and Aron Pollock featured for the Beach Boys while out injured was former right-back Sean Clohessy so there are plenty of connections to Brisbane Road.
“I thought we were excellent in the first half and on the front foot and everything I asked before the game they delivered,” said Moore.
“Some of our play was exciting to watch, we scored two good goals and it was pleasing to see because I knew we would come up against a strong Orient side.
“We need these tests in pre-season. These are the types of games we want to be involved in to get us ready for August 4.
“I was absolutely delighted with the first half, second half Orient come on strong and made a few substitutions, but overall I was delighted.”
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