Justin Edinburgh pleased Leyton Orient withstood Woking’s second half pressure during 3-0 National League success
Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh issues instructions from the touchline against Woking (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant
The Cards began brightly following the restart, but Dean Brill only had two routine saves to make before O’s got back on top
Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh was pleased his team were able to see off a potential Woking comeback at the start of the second half on Saturday
The O’s were two goals ahead at the break thanks to a brace from Macauley Bonne in front of 5,673 spectators at Brisbane Road.
Anthony Limbrick’s Cards came out fighting after the break though and Dean Brill had to make a routine save to deny Louis Theophanous in the 48th minute before half time substitute Anthony Cook saw a long-range free kick saved.
Orient soon got back into their stride and added a third 10 minutes from time through the excellent James Brophy and Edinburgh hailed his team following the comfortable National League win.
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“The defence did look solid, but I didn’t think we started the second half particularly well,” said the 48-year-old.
“Woking had nothing to lose and so threw a couple more bodies forward and they had four up front at one stage.
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“I know we need to overcome those types of things, but it can be difficult when you are up against a team with nothing to lose.
“Once we got over that initial period, I thought we got back into the game and we looked a threat on the counter-attack.
“At times that was how we played in the second half because we had to be cautious about the amount of bodies they were throwing forward, but on another day we could have had a lot more goals.”
What was also notable about the Orient squad on Saturday was the amount of first-teamers not even in the 16.
The likes of Myles Judd, Dan Happe, Jake Caprice and Lamar Reynolds had all started the 1-0 friendly win over Greenwich Borough last Tuesday.
None of the aforementioned foursome made the O’s match day squad though, but Edinburgh did hint at what people could feature for Orient again soon when reflecting on the players to not be among the substitutes.
He added: “A boost for us recently was Judd and Happe returning in a reserve game, so that was very pleasing and they both played very well.
“Alex Lawless is still struggling with a groin problem, but we are starting to get the competition we require to make sure our performances are better.”
The increased battle for spots in the starting XI should hopefully help O’s build more momentum between now and the end of the season.