21-year-old can’t wait to play in the National League again, but also discusses how he is trying to be a role model for Josh Koroma

East London Advertiser: Josh Koroma beats his Arsenal under-23 opponent and looks to pick out a Leyton Orient team-mate inside the area (pic: Simon O'Connor).Josh Koroma beats his Arsenal under-23 opponent and looks to pick out a Leyton Orient team-mate inside the area (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Macauley Bonne is well on the way to beating his first goal target for the season and is eager to build on his hat-trick when Leyton Orient travel to Boreham Wood this weekend.

The former Colchester United striker scored two penalties during the first half of Saturday’s match at home to Guiseley and completed his treble with an 82nd minute finish to cap a fine 4-1 victory for O’s.

Steve Davis takes his team to Meadow Park next with Orient joint-top of the table along with local rivals Dagenham & Redbridge after picking up 16 points from their first eight National League fixtures.

Bonne said: “I set myself a target of 10 goals for Christmas this season and I am firmly on my way to doing that!

“If you can have 10 at the halfway point and then get another 10 after then 20 is an okay tally.

“But my confidence is so high I want to try and get three over the next week and break my target. I want to be one step ahead of what I have already set myself.”

The in-form forward will have two chances to get into double figures, as after Orient visit Boreham Wood, they entertain Halifax Town on Tuesday (September 12).

It took the 21-year-old four games to get off the mark, but since then he hasn’t looked back and Bonne paid tribute to boss Davis and assistant manager Ross Embleton.

He added: “I have really enjoyed working with both of them and I have been thrown outside of my comfort zone and adapted well.

“Credit to the gaffer and Ross for working with me and getting me in form and I just can’t wait for the next game now, so I can try and score more goals.”

Although Bonne is firmly focused on finding the net for Orient, he has bought into the philosophy being instilled at Brisbane Road.

Davis, Martin Ling and new owners Nigel Travis and Kent Teague are not just interested in first-team success, they want the academy to keep on flourishing and producing talented young footballers.

One person who has progressed through O’s academy set-up is Josh Koroma, who hit the last hat-trick for the club in March, and Bonne is keen to be a role model to the 18-year-old despite being only three years older than him.

He added: “Josh and I are slowly building a bond now and even in the changing room we chat about things.

“I am still young, but older than him, so for him to see what I am doing can only be a boost I think and I know Josh can score goals and play well.

“Everyone saw last season, when the team were struggling in League Two, he was always one of Leyton Orient’s stand-out players.

“And this time around, whenever he has come on, he has done well, so I personally think Josh is one of the young boys to really watch at the club.”