George Sessions provides player ratings following the 3-2 defeat at Crawley Town
Leyton Orient failed to build on an encouraging start at Broadfield Stadium against Crawley Town on Saturday and fell to a frustrating loss.
Jay Simpson put them ahead after eight minutes, but three goals in the final 18 minutes of the first half and a red card to Alan Dunne gave the Red Devils the initiative and they wouldn’t let it slip.
Simpson did pull one back for Hendon’s side, who dominated the second period, but they couldn’t salvage a point and were beaten again at Crawley.
Alex Cisak (6) – The Australian returned to the UK on Friday and although he made some fine stops during the match, should have done better with the second goal.
Sean Clohessy (6) – Captain for the day and bombed forward like usual, but the space behind him was exploited by the hosts for the crucial penalty incident.
Connor Essam (6.5) – Young defender didn’t do much wrong at Broadfield Stadium, won his fair share in the air and cleared most balls.
Alan Dunne (5) – Former Millwall man was in for Mathieu Baudry, who missed out with concussion, but was penalised by referee Kevin Wright for allegedly catching Rhys Murphy in the penalty area. He received a red card for that incident and Orient couldn’t come back.
Adam Chicksen (6) – Did well to assist first goal with good cross into the area and attacked well, but allowed far too much space for the equalising goal. That played huge part in the O’s losing.
Jack Payne (6.5) – Peterborough loanee looked tidy again and kept the ball ticking over, but it was always going to be tough with 10 men.
Sammy Moore (6.5) – He was close to scoring for a second consecutive week, but denied by Crawley goalkeeper Callum Preston. Battled well all game and helped Orient dominate second half.
Bradley Pritchard (7) – The Zimbabwean was full of running all afternoon and played his part in the opening and nearly created a goal for new boy John Marquis. His energy was key in the second half and he played three different positions as well.
Dean Cox (6.5) – After an early free kick, the O’s talisman couldn’t get on the ball as much as he would have liked and eventually subbed off on hour mark.
Jay Simpson (6.5) – Two-goal hero, but he should have scored his second a lot earlier and if he had done that, Orient might have won the game.
Ollie Palmer (7) – Big man made a big impact in the first half, virtually did all the work for the opener and nearly created Simpson’s second with a clever flick on. He also thought he had created another, but the effort was wrongly ruled out for offside.
Substitutions:
John Marquis, for Palmer 46. (7) – Millwall man worked really hard and gave a glimpse of what he can do by being a nuisance for the Crawley defence. He had one header excellently saved before creating the second, a promising debut.
Blair Turgott, for Cox 60. (6.5) – He usually makes key impact off the bench, but struggled to get into the game and only chance he had wouldn’t sit well for him.
Scott Kashket, for Payne 87.
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