Former Oldham Athletic midfielder calls on rest of the O’s squad to step up and ease burden on Gavin Massey
Liam Kelly hopes Leyton Orient’s point at Yeovil Town can be the start of a good run for the Brisbane Road club as they look to move away from the League Two relegation zone.
Gavin Massey’s 88th minute strike pegged back the Glovers at Huish Park and gave Danny Webb his first positive result as O’s boss.
Francois Zoko’s effort just before half time appeared to be giving the hosts all three points before Orient hit back.
“It’s been a really bad run of form and confidence is low, so we needed to take something from the Yeovil match,” said Kelly.
“I think it is the same for every game between now and the end of the campaign because this is the business end of the season.
“We can’t be letting matches pass us by, so we need to try and take something from every fixture and if we do, hopefully we’re in a good place at the end of the season.”
Kelly would have been especially delighted to see his Massey pop up at the back post to fire home the equaliser on Saturday.
Josh Koroma’s deep cross was headed across goal by Paul McCallum and O’s vice-captain looked set to equalise.
But Kelly missed his kick and could only watch from the floor as Massey kept his cool to smash into the roof of the net.
“I was definitely relieved. I went to put it away and lost my footing! I turned my ankle and swiped the air,” said the ex-Oldham Athletic captain.
“And I was still on the floor when I saw the ball hit the back of the net, but as long as it ends up there, that’s all that counts.”
Massey’s goal ensured Orient got the reward they deserved after another encouraging display – the third in a row since Webb took charge.
The late equaliser once again highlighted the importance of the former Colchester United winger too.
O’s number 11 has been one of their most consistent performers over the last couple of months and scored three times in his last five games.
But Kelly admitted it is time the rest of the Orient squad stepped up to the mark and eased the burden on Massey.
He added: “We need consistency throughout the whole team and Gavin has been doing well, but we need everybody to be putting in good performances.
“It is such a crucial period and there is no room for error between now and the end of the season. Everybody has to be putting in good performances if we are to stay in this division.”
Kelly is going to have a big role to play if Orient are to beat the drop and looked very assured on Saturday.
The 27-year-old always appears to have time on the ball and remained calm when the pressure was building towards the end of the match.
After making his first start since October 8 on Saturday, the former Bristol City midfielder was happy to come through without any issues.
Kelly said: “It’s been a long three or four months out and it’s been hard watching from the sidelines, so it’s nice to get back playing football again.
“It’s never nice being injured, but I’m grateful I’ve managed to get through injury free at Yeovil and we’ll see what the next few games hold.”
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