Somehow I managed to make my seat just as we kicked off and how glad am I. The newly happy Mrs TB was too busy at the snack bar to see Sir Lee tuck in a very early opener. We'd taken the lead after 57 seconds "that's the same time it took Amir to get knocked out" she piped up returning with the boy, Burger and coke in hand - (she can multi task when it suits her).
Having seen us score first against the team closer to West Ham than I think they realise when we played them in the JPT, (what is it with their insistence that we all support the lot from Upton Park), I was a bit cautious to say the least, but when new dad Lee Sawyer scored after 11 minutes I actually started to believe for once we'd beat this lot.
That believe strengthened when on the rare occasion Orient launched the ball in to our half, the defence look assured with new keeper Federici and when called into action he did everything right and I'm sure Ian Joyce would have been sat in the stands thinking to himself - I can do that.
In the middle of the park we looked quality as well. I am almost certain Lee Sawyer will be a star of the future and fit to wear big Fat Franks boots. His game makes you believe he is a lot older than his 18 years - the missus being the missus couldn't believe that an 18yr old could become a dad. That was until I reminded her of the fact that she was from Wrexham where is it quite a regular occurrence that girls as young as 14 fall pregnant — just they never know who the dad is. (I didn't go the Grays game last week but very happy with the result!!!)
Hitting half time 2-0 up and despite my raised believes - I didn't want to get too excited about beating them as surely this was to good to be true.
Following on from the Bluebelles, wideboy Ling, (who with his Cockney status must have been one of the 16 managers to turn down the Newcastle job), must have decided that as Dean Morgan scored two goals in his last appearance at Roots Hall would change the game. It didn't work and on 69 minutes the new hero at the Hall Dougie Freedman popped up to continue his impressive run of goals which was greeted with the Freddie style chant!
Following on from the Bluebelles, wideboy Ling, (who with his Cockney status must have been one of the 16 managers to turn down the Newcastle job), must have decided that as Dean Morgan scored two goals in his last appearance at Roots Hall would change the game. It didn't work and on 69 minutes the new hero at the Hall Dougie Freedman popped up to continue his impressive run of goals which was greeted with the Freddie style chant!
The chant was repeated again shortly after but unfortunately it was due to him limping out of action to be replaced at the third time of asking by Revell.
Before this Tilly decided now was the time to bring Snoop Dog on for Hal Robson Kanu and Macca was given a comeback coming on for the very impressive Sawyer.
Before this Tilly decided now was the time to bring Snoop Dog on for Hal Robson Kanu and Macca was given a comeback coming on for the very impressive Sawyer.
The diving Demetriou should have seen red for trying to take Snoop Dogs calf from out of his sock but somehow the ref managed to miss it - apart from that and the gradual very amusing sight of Orient fans sneak to the exits the game passed on without incident and at last we'd beaten them.
Very convincingly in fact and always nice to keep a clean sheet!
Federici - The Defence trusted him, we trusted him. Didnt put a foot wrong - 8
Very convincingly in fact and always nice to keep a clean sheet!
Federici - The Defence trusted him, we trusted him. Didnt put a foot wrong - 8
Francis - Still not half as good as last season but is getting there - 6
Barrett - Hardly troubled - very solid! - 7
Clarke - Solid performance alongside Mr Southend - 7
Harding - Seemed to give the fella with no neck (Melligan) a fair bit of space but he couldn't do anything with it so we''ll let him off - 7Betsy - Consistent threat up the wing - 8
Christophe - Clever but simple - 7
Sawyer - The day after I became a dad I was getting smashed! This bloke is amazing, can we have him permanently? Nicky who? - 9
HRK - Clever touches, flashes of pace and looked good when getting back - 8
Barnard - I think the partnership of him and Dougie is going to be amazing - just need them to both stay fit - 8
Freedman - Hopefully nothing serious with the knock, good link up with Barnard and good goal - 8
Subs - Snoop Dog for HRK - Obviously prefers the wing looked good - 7
Barnard - I think the partnership of him and Dougie is going to be amazing - just need them to both stay fit - 8
Freedman - Hopefully nothing serious with the knock, good link up with Barnard and good goal - 8
Subs - Snoop Dog for HRK - Obviously prefers the wing looked good - 7
Macca for Sawyer - Always good to see him back - looks alot fitter as well - 7
Revell for Freedman - Said to the people around me we might as well have gone down to 10 men, then he won a header which is pretty much all he did - 6