Final Third Development League: Leyton Orient 1 Luton Town 0

Ollie Palmer staked a claim for a starting berth on Saturday by scoring for Leyton Orient in their Final Third Development League match against Luton Town yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

The encounter took place at the O’s training ground and was their first in this league format this season.

They were up against a strong Hatters side that included former West Ham United defender Dan Potts as well as Jack Marriott, who was sent off against Orient in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy recently.

Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu also played in that match at Kenilworth Road and was in Luton’s development side alongside the likes of Magnus Okuonghae, Alex Lawless, Mark O’Brien and Zane Banton.

Meanwhile the O’s gave opportunities to young goalkeeper Charlie Grainger, Joe Maguire, on-loan from Liverpool, Freddy Moncur, Palmer and Scott Kashket.

A trialist was also included while Sam Ling continued his comeback from tonsillitis with a 76 minute run-out.

Grainger, fresh from conceding four against Exeter City in League Two and five in a reserve match against Stevenage last week, was called into action numerous times early on.

The young custodian thwarted Ruddock before Potts put the rebound wide as Luton started brightly at the O’s training ground in Chigwell.

But it was Orient that took the lead following an excellent move that started with Jack Humphrey’s in defence.

He found Moncur in midfield, who touched the ball forward for Palmer and he fired past Hatters goalkeeper Craig King to open the scoring.

Grainger was called upon again before half time to preserve the O’s lead as he stopped Marriott from finding the net.

After the interval Palmer went close with a shot, but it deflected behind for a corner before Kashket had an effort stopped by King.

Orient’s goalkeeper made stops from Marriott and Banton shortly afterwards before Jobi McAnuff was introduced for the hosts in the 76th minute.

He nearly made it two before Potts headed over for Luton towards the end, but the O’s managed to hold on for a solid 1-0 win.

The goal for Palmer is another reminder of his qualities and after several impressive cameo appearances in the league this year, he’ll hope to earn a first League Two start of the season on Saturday when Wycombe Wanderers visit Brisbane Road.