O’s manager reflects on a great night for two players missing for much of last year and praises Freddy Moncur’s eagerness to impress

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient midfielder Freddy Moncur on his debut against Luton Town last year. Pic: SIMON O'CONNORLeyton Orient midfielder Freddy Moncur on his debut against Luton Town last year. Pic: SIMON O'CONNOR (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Leyton Orient manager Andy Hessenthaler believes Dean Cox and Paul McCallum will take a lot of confidence from last night’s friendly.

The duo, who missed most of the 2015/16 campaign after suffering cruciate knee ligament damage respectively, found the net at Woking.

Both were introduced at half time and Cox opened the scoring in the 66th minute at Kingfield Stadium. It was the 28-year-old’s first goal since November 7 and nine minutes later he turned provider for McCallum.

Cox raced forward with the ball, found his team mate and the ex-West Ham United found the net for the first time since August 22!

Hessenthaler added: “I’m well pleased for them and it is about confidence, especially when you have been out with a bad injury like they have.

“To see them both get on the scoresheet was terrific so it’s great, it’s good to see them back and confidence will be good and they can kick on from there.

“Scoring does give you that confidence and all of a sudden the energy levels go up because you’re exciting, you’ve got on the scoresheet and you want to get another.

“I was pleased with both of them and others like young Freddy Moncur who came on at right wing and isn’t a winger.

“He looked bright and Josh Doherty, the left-back, came on and all in all everybody contributed and as the game went on we got stronger and stronger.”

Orient supporters saw Moncur given minutes for the first time this season after missing out at Wealdstone and Dover Athletic.

Although the 19-year-old only made two appearances for O’s last season, he impressed on both occasions.

Moncur played at Luton Town in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in September before appearing in the FA Cup win over Staines Town in November.

His desire to impress at Brisbane Road was discussed by Hessenthaler after the match at Kingfield Stadium.

“I don’t see Freddy as a winger, but to be fair to the kid he said to me in the office I can do a job wide,” said Orient’s manager.

“At Woking he has done and he is champing at the bit to do well. We have good competition among the midfield players, but Freddy hasn’t done himself any harm with the way he’s performed on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately for him there is a lot of competition and come August 6 I need to make a decision and they’ll be some disappointed people.

“The reason we need a squad this year though is because of the different loan window and we need everybody available. It’s good the boys performed and if they keep doing that it will give me a good headache.”