George Sessions provides player ratings following the 3-0 defeat away to Cambridge United in League Two on Saturday
Leyton Orient fielded a team with an average age of 21 at Cambridge United and after putting up a decent fight, they eventually fell to a 3-0 defeat which leaves the club on the verge of relegation to the National League.
The O’s inexperienced starting XI battled well for the opening half an hour and then conceded twice before the break.
Omer Riza’s team shipped another shortly after the restart before seeing out the rest of the match without suffering any more damage.
Sam Sargeant (6) – Little the 19-year-old could do about any of the goals, although if we are being picky his positioning may have been better for the second. But he made one or two excellent saves and produced fine punch in second-half when O’s were under pressure. This should all help him for next season.
Michael Clark (7) – A solid showing from the ex-East Thurrock loanee and he did well with Uche Ikpeazu initially and made some crucial blocks at Abbey Stadium. Pleasing performance.
Aron Pollock (7.5) – Impressive display from the teenager, who was a real leader at the back for his fellow inexperienced partners. Pollock has had some tough times this season, but stood tall despite Cambridge putting O’s under constant pressure. He was very good in the air, composed with the ball at his feet and shone brightly.
Dan Happe (6) – The youthful defender was handed his debut and settled pretty well and got to grips with the game, but his lack of nous was highlighted with some of the Cambridge goals. Nevertheless a good learning curve for the 18-year-old, who’ll no doubt be better after this experience.
Freddy Moncur (5.5) – I felt sorry for the midfielder because he was asked to do a job as a wing-back and it really isn’t his position. Moncur is a busy, hard working central midfielder, but Riza had few options, so the 20-year-old did his best, but looks much better in the middle.
Liam Kelly (7) – Former Oldham Athletic captain was a leader on the pitch for O’s youngsters and battled throughout at Cambridge, but couldn’t prevent them losing following more issues with balls into the area. Slightly unlucky not to win a penalty at the death before getting booked seconds later for trying to win another spot-kick.
Michael Collins (6.5) – Similar to Kelly, did as best he could and nearly produced an equaliser with excellent cross into the area, but Rowan Liburd’s header was saved. It was tough for him, but full credit for playing and carrying on with back injury.
Sandro Semedo (5) – I did wonder if the formation would suit Semedo, but he appears better in an advanced position as one of the three forwards than a wing-back, as he got caught on the ball a number of times and struggled against George Maris.
Steven Alzate (6) – The teen has such quick feet and constantly looked a threat going forward despite a couple of his dribbles not coming off, but didn’t support Moncur enough defensively as Harrison Dunk ran riot down the left.
Rowan Liburd (5.5) – A good start by the Stevenage loanee, as he won the ball back and fired wide before seeing a good header saved, but didn’t help out his team-mates enough. Several times the ball went forward and he was on his heels, so Cambridge won the ball back and it put O’s under so much pressure.
Josh Koroma (6.5) – I am a massive fan of the 18-year-old and he showed glimpses of his potential against Cambridge with some excellent runs and a couple of fine efforts, but surprisingly taken off just after the hour mark. He is developing nicely.
Substitutes:
Victor Adeboyejo, for Liburd 61. (6) – Good to see the powerful forward back on the pitch for O’s after failing to make an appearance over the past month and he put himself about, worked hard and held the ball up well.
Tristan Abrahams, for Koroma 61. (6) – A decent amount of time to make an impact and made some good runs, but couldn’t get on the ball as much as he would have liked.
Henry Ochieng, for Happe 76. (5.5) – Plenty of energy from the young midfielder, but he got disposed too easily on a couple of times.
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