The O’s hat-trick hero was looking forward to giving Gavin Massey and Paul McCallum some stick this week in training
Josh Koroma has praised Leyton Orient’s experienced players for their help in his development over the last few months.
The 18-year-old netted a hat-trick on Saturday to help the O’s defeat relegation rivals Newport County 4-0.
While Koroma took the plaudits, it was a real team display and he hailed the senior members of the squad.
He said: “The experienced players are always telling us what to do on the pitch and where to go, so it helps.
“They are helping us develop and play well - even when we make mistakes they don’t get on us, they try to help us through.”
Koroma had gone close to scoring on a couple of occasions before getting off the mark on Saturday.
And judging by Gavin Massey’s tweet after the win, it seems the teen has been getting some banter about his near misses.
Therefore the talented winger was delighted to be able to give some back in training after his Newport heroics.
Koroma joked: “Gavin and Paul McCallum are always moaning at me for not scoring or finishing my chances.
“They are always giving me stick, so it will be nice for me to give some back after this hat-trick.”
Orient’s more experienced players will ensure Koroma doesn’t get above himself after his treble.
But the youngster appears a grounded character and will be determined to back up his hat-trick this Saturday.
“After every game I’m disappointed if I haven’t scored and it doesn’t matter if it is for the youth or the first-team,” said Koroma.
“It was nice to get a hat-trick, but the most important thing was that we got all three points at Newport.”
The O’s always appeared in control in South Wales, but Koroma’s second just before the break seemed crucial.
Danny Webb’s team went 3-0 up as a result and at half time looked on course for a vital three points.
Nicky Hunt made a point of reminding the youngsters before leaving the pitch that only half the job was done.
Koroma added: “When you go in 3-0 up you do think surely we can’t lose, but we knew we had to play like it was 0-0.
“Against Crawley Town we were 3-0 up at half time and they got two back, so it ended up being a very tight game.
“We had to have the mentality that we were still drawing, but once it went 4-0 it was pretty comfortable for us.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here