Under-18 manager full of praise for Sam Dalby and Ruel Sotiriou with pair vying for a spot in Steve Davis’ squad for Saturday’s match

Danny Webb was pleased Leyton Orient’s hard work on the training ground paid off in the first round of the FA Youth Cup last night.

The young O’s defeated Biggleswade Town 5-0 at Brisbane Road with Sam Dalby and Eric Lopes grabbing doubles.

Harry Kyprianou was also on target and Orient have now played three games in the competition, scoring 12 times without conceding once.

Webb said: “The last game against Hornchurch (4-0) we could have been 5-0 up at half time, but we weren’t and since then we’ve done loads of finishing in training.

“Obviously we still missed some good chances against Biggleswade, but it was nice we took most of them which came our way.

“Whether it is a non-league team or a league club, the more opportunities you miss in a cup game, the more the other side thinks it might be their night.

“I was pleased when we could have gone three up, we did and in the second we could have got more, but 5-0 is very pleasing.”

Dalby impressed while Sotiriou showed his obviously potential and at least one of the duo should be on the bench for Orient’s first-team on Saturday at Ebbsfleet United.

O’s top goalscorer Macauley Bonne is away on international duty with Zimbabwe and Steve Davis will likely call upon one of the under-18s for the National League clash.

Academy boss Webb praised the attitude of Dalby and Sotiriou with the pair both making at least one appearance for the seniors this season.

He added: “We’ve all been pushing them in the youth department to try and get in and around the first-team like we do with all the youngsters.

“They have trained with them more often than not recently, so they know the environment and the difference when you step up to men’s football.

“Dalby had it a bit last season with me and Ruel is almost 11 months younger than Dalby, so he is almost a first-year scholar in age and has a lot to learn, but he’ll be a good player.

“It is nice they have been in and around the first-team, but what’s good is when they come back with me, there is no arrogance or flashiness.

“They don’t talk down to other players, they are the exact same and they are acting as good role models at the moment.”