Winger pleased with goal and praises first half display by O’s before insisting Robins will surprise teams in division this year

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient's Gavin Massey opens the scoring after three minutes at Cheltenham Town (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient's Gavin Massey opens the scoring after three minutes at Cheltenham Town (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Gavin Massey is delighted to get off the mark for Leyton Orient so early and believes the point they picked up at Cheltenham Town will prove to be a good one in the end.

The former Colchester United winger needed seven games last season to find the net in the league, but did it after just three minutes at Whaddon Road on Saturday.

Massey volleyed home an excellent delivery from the left by Sandro Semedo, but Billy Waters equalised for the hosts from close range in the 76th minute.

Although O’s were disappointed they didn’t return to east London with all three points, the new signing was delighted to score his first goal since moving from Colchester.

“To be fair it is nice to get the goal out of the way because otherwise it drags on and can play on your mind,” said Massey.

“It was a good pass from Sandro and it was nice to tuck it away, but hopefully there’s plenty more to come this season.

“Our first-half performance was just us building on what we’ve done in pre-season and we deserved to go ahead.

“We probably should have got more in the first 45, but it was a good first-half performance from the team.”

Orient had further chances to extend their lead through Semedo and Harry Cornick, but both failed to seriously test Russell Griffiths and it remained 1-0 at the break.

Cheltenham started the second period brightly and long throw-ins from Daniel O’Shaughnessy were causing O’s all sorts of problems.

The visitors went close through Massey again, while Jordan Bowery fired wide, but a strong run by Danny Whitehead ended in Waters firing past Alex Cisak from close range.

“I think other teams will come to Cheltenham and struggle, especially once they find their feet as well, so it’s nice to get the game out of the way. Towards the business end of the season, hopefully that point counts,” added Massey.

“We expected them to start fast, we knew that, but I felt we killed it off early doors like you have to.

“Obviously they had a few chances and it gets the crowd going and they got their goal so credit to them.

“They put us under a lot of pressure, but away from home it is a point so we are happy with that.”