Blues Manager Rob Newman decided on the strange formation of 4-5-1 for the local derby encounter at Brisbane Road. The five in midfield consisted of Brian Barry-Murphy, Kevin Maher, Ian Selley, Marek Szmid (starting for the first time) and Stuart Thurgood. Barrington Belgrave was the Blues lone striker in the absence of groin victims Tes Bramble, Mark Rawle and Tony Richards. In defence Darryl Flahavan continued in goal in front of Stephen Broad, Leon Cort, skipper Phil Whelan and Damon Searle.
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The First half was slow to come to life especially as Blues seemed to have no pattern of play as the midfield players bunched together, offering limited support to Barrington Belgrave. Leyton Orient started to dominate proceedings and on eight minutes Scott Canham’s left wing free-kick was headed behind by Phil Whelan as Nugent was ready to pounce. Blues then managed to scramble away Canham’s flag kick as The O’s looked for an early goal in front of only 4,840 fans.
Blues forced their first corner on Ten minutes, Ian Selly and Brian Barry-Murphy trying their short corner routine which the Orient defence dealt with comfortably.
Before the game Kevin Maher was quoted as saying that he would kick ex Blues midfielder Carl Hutchings during the game to let him know he was around, well he certainly did that on twelve minutes, earning Orient a free kick thirty yards out which Matt Lockwood lofted into the penalty area to find the chest of Skipper Dean Smith and as the ball bounced down eight yards out there was Kevin Nugent to fire home his first goal for the club.
Maher was then booked for dissent on 18 minutes as Blues looked in complete disarray. Leyton Orient were now in complete control and deservedly made it 2-0 on 31 minutes, Iyseden Christie received the ball on the left of the Blues penalty area and then proceeded to beat Stephen Broad twice and then Leon Cort before toe-poking a shot from eight yards towards the far post which deflected off Phil Whelan and wrong-footed Flahavan.
Despite Leyton Orient having all the possession they failed to carve out further chances and the only action was from referee Rob Harris who cautioned Blues Ian Selley for a foul and Orient’s, Canham and Newton for unsporting behaviour, to leave the hosts 2-0 up at the break.
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Blues seemed more comfortable now and had the first chance of the half on 50 minutes, Carl Hutchings headed clearance looping up into the air only for Phil Whelan to end his header wide from twelve yards. Two minutes later Clark and Beard combined down the right to set up Belgrave but the Blues striker shot wide from twenty yards.
The game was now end to end and the Blues contingent of 1135 were rallying the troops as loud as they could. On 54 minutes the home side went close as Christie played in Hutchings but his low shot from the edge of the area was well saved by contract rebel Flahavan. Christie was the thorn in Blues side as he worked his magic on the right wing before drilling in a low cross which was met by the head of the diving Hutchings but Flahavan again denied the ex Blues favourite with a fine diving save.
With the watch clicking just past the hour mark, Blues went close as Clark and Beard again combined down the right flank before Beard’s low cross found Barrington Belgrave on the edge of the area, the ex-Yeovil Town man then twisted and turned before firing a fierce drive against the right hand angle with Ashley Bayes beaten.
On 63 minutes Blues pulled a goal back, Steven Clarks simple pass was knocked into the path of Barry-Murphy by Phil Whelan and the Preston North End left winger turned and hit a great shot from sixteen yard straight into the bottom left hand corner of the net, giving Bayes no chance.
Leyton Orient then replaced Nugent with Steve Watts and the ex non-league player started to give Stephen Broad a torrid time, on 78 minutes Watts laid the ball off to Christie after good work by Canham, but Christie with all the goal to aim at hit his fierce shot from 15 yards straight against the legs of Flahavan.
Leyton Orient were now beginning to become anxious as Blues pushed forward in search of the equaliser but the home side held out well as both sides failed to carve out any chances in the last ten minutes.
Another disappointing result for the Blues. It could have been so different if the negative 4-5-1 formation had not been used in the first half. Blues looked a different side in the second period. Unfortunately the damage had already been done and the Blues faithful were again left to reflect on what might have been
Steve Connolly
www.thelittlegazette.com