Stevenage’s Darren Sarll backs Leyton Orient boss Danny Webb after beating O’s 4-1

Boro manager praises determination of opposition and discusses performance during win at Broadhall Way

Stevenage manager Darren Sarll offered his backing to opposite number Danny Webb after watching his team beat Leyton Orient 4-1 at Broadhall Way.

Ben Kennedy opened the scoring for the hosts before Matt Godden doubled their lead from the penalty spot.

Paul McCallum pulled one back for O’s, but Stevenage extended their advantage soon after the break when Luke Wilkinson headed in.

Tom Pett made it 4-1 just past the hour mark, yet Orient never gave up and continued pushing for a second.

“Leyton Orient never gave up and they are running for their manager, so that’s a lovely sign for a club in a transitional spell,” said Sarll.

“They made it very interesting and never once stopped trying to get that second goal. I thought at times we were sloppy and on other occasions we were absolutely brilliant.

“It was a rollercoaster ride of a performance, but the great thing is there is a tinge of disappointment in the dressing room.

“I didn’t realise a year into my managerial career I’d win 4-1 at home and be disappointed, so that shows the standards the players have set.”

Stevenage made a blistering start and fully deserved to lead by two goals midway through the first half.

Orient replied through McCallum, however, and Webb’s team then got on top and should have levelled.

It remained 2-1 at the break and everybody sensed the fourth goal of the match would be key.

Unfortunately for O’s, Stevenage grabbed their third soon after the restart thanks to Wilkinson after Jobi McAnuff’s cross.

Sarll added: “The message at half time was to compose ourselves because I felt we created a lot of chaos around us.

“I said ‘think calmly and play the way we want to play and if we make a mistake, I’ll take all the stick’ but I didn’t want them to be afraid.

“I wanted us to pass the ball and lots of people will say it was not a night or surface for passing, but we were going to do that.

“Whether the pitch has one blade of grass on or a million, we will pass the ball and it was important we composed ourselves and did the right things after.

“That was shown with the set-piece for the third goal because that was something we spoke about at half-time.

“I thought during the first half, Kennedy and McAnuff were a threat from one-on-one situations, so I said get out there and create one-on-one. They did that and it was a good finish at the back post.”

Pett made it 4-1 following a poor clearance by O’s Callum Kennedy and Orient were bracing themselves for more damage.

But the introduction of Freddy Moncur and Steven Alzate helped the visitors get a foothold in the game.

Webb changed Orient’s formation to a 4-1-4-1 and the youngsters impressed as they pushed for a second.

No deserved consolation was forthcoming for O’s, but they never stopped trying and it was a tiny crumb of comfort after a disappointing loss.