Millwall man reflects on events last week and Orient’s two new signings
Leyton Orient ended a strange week with three points after Jay Simpson scored twice against York City to inspire a 3-2 success and John Marquis admitted it is important they kick on now.
The 23-year-old put in arguably his best performance since moving to Brisbane Road on a 93-day loan deal from Millwall in October.
He set up Simpson’s first goal and his energy was a big factor as the O’s saw off the Minstermen.
Mathieu Baudry opened the scoring with a 21st-minute header, before Simpson doubled the lead.
York hit back through Vadaine Oliver on the stroke of half time, before another goal by Simpson in the second period put Ian Hendon’s team in complete control.
Oliver scored his second in the 86th minute, but Orient held on to end a difficult week with a win.
Club president Francesco Becchetti had ordered players and staff to sleep and eat at the Marriott Hotel in Waltham Abbey following their 3-1 loss at Hartlepool United the previous Sunday.
They did that for the majority of the week, before returning home just before the York encounter.
“We have got together in the hotel, done video analysis, spent a little bit more time on the training field, then we’d go back there and have food,” said Marquis after Saturday’s match.
“It was more of a get-together, it is hard to explain, but more about getting everyone together and getting our morale up because we haven’t been happy as players with our results, the same as the manager and people above.
“We are not satisfied with the results we have been getting, but we showed against York with a good performance what we are really about and hopefully we can now kick right on.”
Orient gave a strong showing against the Minstermen and should have won the match far more comfortably than they did.
The first goal they conceded was after they failed to clear their lines and the second, late on, occurred in similar circumstances.
But the O’s did have a back four playing together for the first time after Hendon managed to add to his squad by signing two more defenders last week.
QPR youngster Cole Kpekawa joined on an initial one-month loan and made his debut as a 25th-minute substitute for captain Baudry.
Meanwhile, Jean-Yves M’voto signed on Saturday and started against York in central defence.
Frenchman M’voto boasts a wealth of experience, having played for Barnsley and Oldham Athletic in recent seasons, and has signed for Orient on a two-month deal.
Millwall man Marquis praised the pair, adding: “Obviously the two new boys have come in and looked pretty solid.
“They have never played with ‘Frenchy’ before and we ended up having them play together against York at the end of the match.
“It shows we have been working hard. We have kept ourselves busy this past week working on things and we’ve done well.”
Orient got unwanted headlines after Becchetti forced them to check-in at the Marriott, but they will look to write better ones when Wimbledon visit at the weekend.
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