Former AFC Wimbledon man reflects on defeat at his old club and competition for places this season

Leyton Orient midfielder Sammy Moore is ready for the battle to win a spot in Andy Hessenthaler’s starting XI this season.

During the summer central midfielders Lloyd James, Bradley Pritchard and Kevin Nolan all left Brisbane Road while Peterborough United loanee Jack Payne is no longer with O’s.

The east Londoners have, however, recruited Robbier Weir and Liam Kelly from Burton Albion and Oldham Athletic respectively.

Both are central midfielders and will battle with Moore and Nigel Atangana for two starting spots.

“I’ve been in football long enough now to know you aren’t going to get an easy ride. I’m willing to fight for my place,” said the ex-AFC Wimbledon ace.

“I will go out on the training ground every day and try to get better then when I get my chance, hopefully I can take it, but I’ll give 100 per cent.

“Robbie and Liam are good players, they have played in the division higher so if I can learn a thing or two off them then great.

“We’ve brought some good players in this year, we need to gel as a team, but I’m sure the gaffer will get it right.

“All of the squad are right behind him, we know we fell short last year and we were disappointed for ourselves as well as the fans.

“This season everybody is going to knuckle down to make sure we achieve what we have set out to do.”

Orient put in a sluggish first half display at Dover Athletic on Saturday and fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Crabble Athletic Ground.

Moore was one of eight players introduced at half time and helped give Hessenthaler’s team more impetus.

A deflected free kick by Tyrone Marsh midway through the second period virtually put the game to bed, but the O’s midfielder admitted they didn’t meet the standards they expect from themselves at the weekend.

Moore added: “We had a bit of life second half, we got the ball down and started playing our football. We didn’t complicate it too much.

“We wanted to get in their faces and move the ball quickly. We had a couple of good chances and Sandro Semedo has had another, but their free kick you can’t do anything about.

“There is a lot of stuff we need to work on and it is only really our second game. The one in Italy was a good work out, but Dover are no mugs. They’re a good side and especially in the National League - they all know exactly what they’re doing.

“By our standards, we know we need to do better and there is a lot of stuff we need to work on and we’ll be going to the training ground to put it right.”