‘It was very pleasing’ says boss
Leyton Orient boss Ian Hendon refused to get carried away after seeing his side win their latest pre-season friendly at League One Colchester.
Paul McCallum netted with headers either side of the break, before substitute Scott Kashket struck to seal a 3-0 win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
But Hendon said: “Like we keep saying about these pre-season games, I’m sure Tony (Humes) won’t be reading too much into the result, as I won’t.
“What was pleasing, was the delivery into the box today from crossing areas and the chances we created, mainly for Paul McCallum.
“We work on stuff, we worked on a different shape and overall it was very pleasing.”
Orient were making their first appearance back on British soil and looked an organised outfit after spending several days in Spain at a training camp.
They lost matches against Middlesbrough and Huddersfield in Malaga, but Hendon felt it had been a hugely worthwhile trip, adding: “The chairman kindly paid for that and let us go and we’re thankful for that. We’re all a new group together and that bit of bonding and stuff we did over there, hopefully that’s going to stand us in good stead for the season that’s coming up.
“We spent a lot of time on the training ground. They were fantastic facilites, the pitch was really good, and we took as much time as we could to get a bit of organisation into the boys.
“But they have to take it on board at the end of the day. It’s all right us telling them, but they have to apply it on a match day.
“I’ve been looking forward to this game. We played over there in 90 degree heat and I don’t think you truly get a reflection of their fitness levels in those conditions. But today we looked bright, we looked sharp and it went to plan.”
Orient moved the ball well throughout against Colchester, with Dean Cox and captain for the day Sean Clohessy linking up impressively on the right.
Lloyd James played in a deep-lying midfield role at the base of a diamond and Hendon was pleased with the output.
He added: “I thought it went very well. We’ve been working on it and a few other bits and pieces.
“It took a little while to settle into it, but once we did we created lots of chances, so it was very pleasing. They’re taking on board what we’re asking and it went very well today.
“I’d like to say it’s all me and my staff but sometimes players gel, they get on and that’s what the week was about.”
McCallum certainly took his goals well, with a downward header from a Clohessy cross breaking the deadlock in the first half.
The former West Ham youngster glanced home a Bradley Pritchard cross for his second, then saw replacement Kashket slot home number three.
Hendon was certainly pleased with the display of his young striker, adding: “I know the lad very well. It’s why I brought him to the club. What you’ve seen today was probably an all-round performance from him.
“He’s very dangerous in the air when the ball is going into the box, he brings other players into it, so it was a good performance.”
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