Final Third Development League: Southend 1 Leyton Orient 4

Leyton Orient defeated local rivals Southend United 4-1 in their ‘Final Third’ Development League match at Brisbane Road this afternoon.

Player-manager Kevin Nolan played the first half and saw a number of his youngsters impressed against the Blues in a fixture, which was a home clash for the League One side.

Scott Kashket was on target alongside Sandro Semedo while Sam Ling added a fourth to cap an encouraging performance by the east Londoners.

Nolan picked a strong side for the match at Brisbane Road and included himself in the starting team. Charlie Grainger was in goal while new signings Nicky Hunt and Shaun Brisley took their place in the back four.

Alongside the aforementioned duo was Alan Dunne, working his way back from injury, and talented youngster Semedo. Armand Gnanduillet was given an opportunity up front.

Fellow first team players Blair Turgott, Sammy Moore, Bradley Pritchard and Kashket were also handed a chance to shine.

It didn’t take Orient long to take the lead as Jason Williams put through his own net in the sixth minute.

And it was two nil shortly afterwards as Turgott did well on the right before crossing in for Kashket, who chested in their second.

Southend managed to reduce the arrears in the 34th minute, however, when Williams redeemed his earlier own goal, by beating O’s stopper Grainger.

It remained 2-1 until half time when Nolan brought himself off and introduced Freddy Moncur in his place.

Orient didn’t need long to go close after the interval when Brisley had a header cleared off the line from Moore’s corner.

Turgott tested Southend goalkeeper Josh Bexon with 20 minutes played of the second half before Ling replaced Hunt.

And Nolan’s side extended their lead in the 68th minute when Semedo’s fierce effort found the back of the net.

Brisley was withdraw four minutes later for Aron Pollock before Grainger made a smart save from Williams.

Moore and Gnanduillet were replaced soon after as academy players Josh Koroma and Steven Alzate were given a run-out.

And 11 minutes from time Ling, another talented youngster, got in on the act as he headed in Turgott’s corner to make it 4-1.

That was how it finished at Brisbane Road as a number of Orient players got much-needed minutes and impressed Nolan.

Leyton Orient: Grainger, Hunt (Ling 66), Brisley (Pollock 72), Dunne, Semedo, Turgott, Moore (Koroma 76), Pritchard, Kashket, Nolan (Moncur 46), Gnanduillet (Alzate 76).

Unused substitutes: