FA Youth Cup first round: Hornchurch 0 Leyton Orient 2

Leyton Orient’s youth team progressed to the second round of the FA Youth Cup with a solid 2-0 victory over Hornchurch last night (Tuesday).

Andy Edwards side showed the first team how it is done by beating non-league opposition at Bridge Avenue to set up a home clash with Luton Town.

The O’s selected goalkeeper Sam Sargeant and defender Myles Judd, two players that have been involved with Ian Hendon’s team this season.

While Victor Adeboyejo and Christian Owusu led the line for Orient with the pair having scored 13 times already for the Academy this year.

Edwards’ men began well against Urchins and Judd had a header hit the crossbar in the third minute before Adeboyejo’s follow-up shot was blocked.

Hornchurch responded, though, with Matthew Bentley testing Sargeant as the non-league outfit showed they would be no pushover.

But the O’s took the lead with 21 minutes played when Sam Alderson free kick found Adeboyejo in the box and he flicked past home goalkeeper Joe Bowles to put Orient ahead.

Three minutes later and Owusu nearly doubled the visitors advantage as his fierce shot whistled over the crossbar.

Orient did make it 2-0, though, when Steven Alzate linked up with Rian McLean and the latter produced a neat finish inside the penalty area.

Hornchurch were coming under real pressure now with Judd bombing on down and right and finding Owusu, but his effort was saved by Bowles.

Four minutes before half time the O’s went even closer when Adeboyejo hit the post and at the break it was 2-0 to the east Londoners.

He went close again just before the hour mark as first Bowles stopped his fierce shot before he hit the post moments later.

With the tie petering out, Edwards introduced Josh Koroma in place of Owusu with 16 minutes remaining at Bridge Avenue.

Hornchurch had an opportunity to reduce the arrears two minutes later, but Bentley fired over from close range.

Orient might have made it three in the 87th minute, though, as McLean saw an effort tipped onto the post, but they had to be content with a two-goal win.

The O’s will host Luton in the second round, but first face local rivals Southend in the Football League Youth Alliance under-18 South East League on Saturday.