Donohue's Marks Out Of Ten

GK Bart Griemink | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals Conceded: 0 | Rating: 7.5

A strong for performance from Griemink who once again proved his doubters that he is more than adequate to be in between the sticks for the Shrimpers. Griemink done all he had to and more. He done things that everyone looks for, like, making good saves and commanding his area. However Bart also helped his defence out at times, as an acting sweeper when Orient strikers, mainly Ibehre got in behind the Blues defence. Griemink was always alert and was at the edge of his area to collect the ball and prevent any danger.

RB Lewis Hunt | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 1 | Rating: 6.5

Hunt, playing in the right side of defence for only the second time this season was more than solid after Duncan Jupp was dropped. Fans who have been calling for Jupp’s head for some weeks now got their wish and it seems that Hunt could make the right back position his as Bentley and Maher continue to work well in the centre of midfield. Hunt contributed to both attack and defence although he was at fault for Orient’s second goal as he failed to pick Andy Scott at the back post. He did however win the flick on with started the scramble for Southend’s second goal.

CB Adam Barrett | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6.5

Another more than capable performance from Barrett as he was tough at the back and dangerous going forward. Barrett brought his usual skills to the game winning aerial battles all over the park and distributing the ball with his usual style. Barrett did though miss chance of the match as he skimmed the bar from just three yards.

CB Spencer Prior | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Prior dominated in the air and again shows that he is a quality player who has played at a higher level. Prior though was not at his best tonight as the put the ball into touch on numerous occasions where he could have used his class to control and distribute the ball. He also appeared to be half a yard off the pace but don’t worry; Prior will have much better games in the future.

LB Che Wilson | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

Wilson had one of his best games in a Blue shirt tonight getting in tackles all over the park and contributing to attacking phases of play as well. Wilson made very important tackles in the first half as Orient began to dominate but also got forward on a number of occasions and his persistence made Barrett’s previously mentioned chance in the latter stages of the second half.

RM Tesfaye Bramble | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 4.5

Sorry but Tes just wasn’t at the races tonight! He passing was poor he didn’t run at defenders and he didn’t seem to be too bothered. I’ve been very impressed with Bramble throughout the season (all goalkeeping heroics aside) but tonight he just wasn’t good enough. In is defence he was out of position, in the absence of Mark Gower but I would have liked to see the introduction of Lawrie Dudfield in Bramble’s place.

CM Kevin Maher | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 2 | Rating: 8

Another good performance from ‘Captain Fantastic’ as the former Tottenham trainee proved that he is more than just a holding midfielder with another two assists from two more set pieces. Maher’s flat, undercutting balls have proved this season vital already but tonight, even more so as 100% of goals came from them.

CM Mark Bentley | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

I don’t know what the relationship between Dagenham & Redbridge and Leyton Orient is like and I’m not sure if there really is a greater rivalry between the two sides. But the former Daggers man really did seem ‘up for it’ tonight as he competed for everything in the midfield and even got a great standing ovation towards the end of the match as he run half the length of the pitch to close Orient players down. Bentley gave everything tonight even though he may have been frustrated through receiving the ball in attacking positions on only a few occasions.

LM Carl Pettefer | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 0 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 6

Pettefer was another player who worked hard but for little reward. He will be disappointed not to reproduce the kind of form that saw him score a week earlier against Northampton however Pettefer did little wrong to warrant me giving a mark lower than a 6.

CF Wayne Gray | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 7.5

They say ‘it’s always nice to score against your old club’ so therefore Wayne Gray will be pretty happy to have scored against the O’s having made 17 appearances for them in the 2000-2001 season. Gray took his goal well although he would have found it harder to miss than to score! Gray again made fantastic runs wide to create space in the middle of the park although Southend’s attacking options were limited. I found it very hard to criticise the Blues striker this evening.

CF Freddy Eastwood | Minutes on pitch: 90 | Goals: 1 | Assists: 0 | Rating: 8.5

MOTM: For the first time in Freddy Eastwood’s Southend career I felt that he contributed more to the game than just score goals. Yes, Eastwood scored a goal, and a very well taken goal at that but I was mightily impressed with Eastwood’s all round play. He tackled, he passed the ball well and for the first time he seemed ‘Up for it.’ Spurred on by the chants of his name to the tune of ‘Papa’s got a brand new Pigbag’ Eastwood gave his all even when things didn’t go his way.