George Sessions provides player ratings following the 4-1 defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers in League Two on Saturday
Leyton Orient matched League Two title favourites Doncaster Rovers for large parts on Saturday, but eventually slumped to another defeat at Brisbane Road.
Danny Webb’s team showed their quality during the first half and scored a brilliant goal to deservedly come in level at the break.
Rovers stepped up the pace in the second half, however, and punished errors at the back by some of O’s inexperienced teenage defenders.
Alex Cisak (6.5) – The Australian was back in goal and despite conceding four, he could do very little about any of the strikes. What was impressive was how the experienced goalkeeper commanded his area and looked to get O’s on the attack quickly while he also made a couple of decent saves.
Aron Pollock (5.5) – A real learning curve for the 18-year-old, but it is important to point out that this was his first appearance since November 26 and he was out of position. Pollock did well at right-back in the first half, yet made some poor errors after the break, which were costly, though I have no doubt he will bounce back.
Michael Clark (5.5) – One of three teenagers in the back line and it was a baptism of fire for the former East Thurrock United loanee. A heavy touch resulted in Doncaster taking the lead and he struggled after the break, but like Pollock will learn so much from this experience.
Tom Parkes (7.5) – Easily the best performance we have seen from Parkes in an O’s shirt, as he was a rock at the back and was so assured on the ball. The 25-year-old appeared to relish the extra responsibility in defence and made some excellent tackles before scoring a sensational equaliser.
Myles Judd (6.5) – Youngster was asked to play out of position on the left and did the job admirable. He stood up to the task well and bounced back after a difficult night at Accrington Stanley.
Josh Koroma (6) – Academy graduate looked bright during the first 45 and caused Doncaster some problems, but faded after the break, as the leaders stepped up the pace and he probably could have helped Pollock out more.
Michael Collins (7) – Typically hard-working display from the midfielder, who just never gives up. Even when it was 4-1 at the end, he was trying to get on the ball and make stuff happen. Not everything he tried came off, but led by example.
Liam Kelly (6) – Good to have the vice-captain involved again and he was influential during the first half, as his composure on the ball helped Orient. Like most of his team-mates, he struggled in the second half, but it was his first game since February 14.
Nigel Atangana (5.5) – After making a decent start at Brisbane Road, the midfielder failed to make much of an impact and went missing for large parts of the second half, so could well find himself dropped for the trip to Crawley Town.
Sandro Semedo (6.5) – The Portuguese winger didn’t get much joy going forward, but never threw in the towel and worked extremely hard, even at the end, and produced a couple of good crosses in the first half.
Gavin Massey (6.5) – Frustrating afternoon for the winger, who started up front, but he did cause Doncaster problems initially. He proved a handful in the first half and did brilliantly for O’s equaliser, but couldn’t get on the ball enough after the break.
Substitutes:
Sam Dalby, for Koroma 77.
Steven Alzate, for Atangana 87.
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