Brisbane Road boss praises efforts of his players after they pick up win on opening day of the season against Barnet

Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon was thrilled to get off to a winning start in his first competitive game as O’s manager in their opening League Two match of the campaign.

Jay Simpson and Paul McCallum struck within the space of a minute towards the second half to help defeat London rivals Barnet 2-0 at Brisbane Road.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was terrific all afternoon and Hendon was happy with the way his players stood up to the physicality of the Bees.

Although Martin Allen’s visitors enjoyed more of the ball and created the better chances in the first half, the Orient boss was pleased with his side.

He said: “It was an ideal start. We knew it was going to be a tough game and it proved that way.

“We knew what they were going to be about and Martin’s teams are very difficult to play against, we had them watched, but fair play to our players. They stuck to the plan and we got our rewards in the second half.

“Barnet load the balls into the box, they have set plays, corners, free-kicks and long throws going in there. We knew exactly what we were coming in to today.”

The away side really should have taken the lead in the 15th minute when Michael Gash was set up inside the Orient box, but he fired wide when in space.

McCallum had missed an equally good opportunity, though, earlier on when he went through on goal and chipped wide of Graham Stack’s goal.

Hendon was pleased with the way his side kicked on after the interval with the O’s the much better team in the second period.

“Michael Gash has missed one in the first half, but we had the best chance with Paul McCallum earlier on,” added the Orient boss.

“The way Barnet play they are going to get bits and pieces in the box and half chances. We have just got to be ready for the second ball when it drops down.

“I thought my two centre halves were excellent when it came to that. It was a team performance today, we came through and second half I thought we looked a much better side.”

A huge positive for Hendon was both his first choice strikers, Simpson and McCallum, getting off the mark in the opening game.

He was also delighted with the amount of Orient supporters that turned out and hopes they come back for the next home game against Stevenage on August 18.

“The goals were taken well. Paul has been on fire in pre-season and Jay has been a little bit quieter,” said Hendon.

“I said it would probably be Jay who gets the goals and Paul will have to take a back seat, but it was nice they both got one each. They could have had a couple more.

“It was great to see the good support today and just as well for us it was great to see a good performance, a win and I hope everyone comes back next time around.”