On-loan midfielder delighted with win

Leyton Orient loan signing Jake Taylor was delighted to help his new club pick up three vital points in their battle against relegation from League One at the weekend.

Taylor, 23, came straight into the starting line-up against Port Vale, following his switch from Championship club Reading, and helped O’s to a 3-1 win that hauled them to within one point of safety, with a game in hand.

And he was grateful to boss Fabio Liverani for showing his faith in him, saying: “Obviously I’ve come in and they’ve been great with me and looked after me, so it’s nice to get started – he’s been great with me since I’ve come in here.

“I haven’t played as much recently as I would have liked to, so it’s nice to come here and to start straight away, and to get a win was the perfect way to start my first game for Leyton Orient.

“We sort of got into our groove more as the game went on and I think the second-half performance showed that. We played some nice stuff and obviously scoring three goals and coming from behind shows great character and belief in the squad.”

Chris Birchall put Vale ahead in the first half, but O’s survived until the break without further damage and levelled through David Mooney’s penalty early in the second half.

Vale keeper Chris Neal was sent off for fouling Chris Dagnall and substitute keepe Sam Johnson saw defender Neill Collins turn a Gary Sawyer cross into his own net to gift O’s the lead.

Taylor felt he had some claim to the goal, though, adding: “Was it an own goal? I’ll try and claim it, but I don’t think I’m going to get it.

“It was nice to play a part in the goal and if it doesn’t go to me the never mind. The cross came over towards me, I headed it and it went in the back of the net.”

Mooney missed a second spot-kick, after being fouled by Johnson – who escaped without a booking – but Dean Cox fired home a superb third goal late on to make sure of the points.

Taylor added: “Their keeper got sent off and they were down to 10 men which put them under a bit of pressure which was good for us, and obviously the other penalty which we didn’t take.

“But then Coxy scored at the end, which was a great strike and sealed the game for us.”

With a crunch trip to Coventry to come before a Bank Holiday Monday meeting with Gillingham in east London, Taylor is hoping to retain his place in the side.

And he believes if Orient can withstand pressure in games, they can get themselves out of trouble.

He added: “You’re going to have to at some times in this league and as long as you can ride the wave and take the chances when you get them, I think we’ll be all right this year.

“Everyone has welcomed me really well. I wanted to get down here and get started as soon as possible so it was nice that the boys have been great with me so far. And long may that continue.”