Town 2 - 1 Orient

Stacy Coldicott was drafted into Town's midfield for today's game in East London.

After 5 minutes Town won their first corner unusually taken by McDermott - and when the ball was returned to the Town veteran his cross was headed against the bar by Jones.

Orient had their first shot on target after 10 minutes, but the flag had already been raised.

Steele then forced Williams into a good save after beating Forbes, and Orient gained a corner.

There was another golden opportunity for Town as the ball was crossed but neither Gritton nor Reddy could quite reach it.

The Mariners were bossing play.

Goal!: 18:22 Coldicott won the ball, played a one-two, and Reddy pulled the ball back to Parkinson who tapped the ball into the empty net!!

When Parkinson went through the Orient keeper had to come out of his box and Parkinson ended up with a head injury apparently caused by the keeper's boot! Parky had to go off for treatment, but the referee awarded a dropped ball.

McMahon then tried a long shot, which asked no questions of Williams.

Gritton took on his defender and beat him for pace. With Parkinson at the near post Gritton couldn't get a quality ball across to Town's scorer.

Fleming was the next Town man to need a lengthy spell of attention from the physio, but was able to continue.

Williams threw to Reddy, and with the speedy frontman racing away, he was unable to find Martin Gritton for what would have been a great goal.

Town's next free-kick was from about 30 yards, taken by Bull, though Ramsden was off-side as Jones threatened.

Town continued to press despite being one up, and had a couple of good attacks before Orient changed Duncan for the injured Scott.

When Orient gained a free-kick Bull was there to clear with a diving header. Orient won another free-kick almost immediately, and again the Town defence dealt comfortably with the threat.

Orient continued the pressure and Newey cleared Williams bar with a long-range effort.

Reddy and Gritton combined to give Reddy an opportunity which Harrison saved at full-stretch to concede a corner, which was cleared.

As the first minute of added time was passed Williams had to parry a shot and collect at the second attempt.

Half-time: Town 1 - 0 Orient

Duncan got inside Macca, and Orient gained a corner, which Town cleared as Orient came out firing on all cylinders.

Reddy cut inside past two defenders and White pulled him down - to go in the book. Town's free-kick taken by Jones and it was taken comfortably by the keeper.

Straight back to the other end, and Macca had to head out for an Orient corner, eventually cleared by Bull.

Town's next corner was taken by Ronnie Bull, and Jones got in a good header which was saved well by Harrison for Orient.

Then Parkinson was given a long ball to chase, with Harrison just winning the race.

Duncan fired a cross from the left-wing, which no-one could get onto the end of.

Reddy was away again on a long run, unselfishlessly laying the ball off for Andy Parkinson who lifted the ball over the keeper ... and wide of the goal - missing a golden opportunity to double Town's lead.

After an hour Newey was replaced by Echanomi.

McDermott sent Parkinson away, who made progress and centred to Gritton, but his great header was tipped wide by Harrison for a Town corner. Town won a second corner which was headed away off the line.

Reddy beat his man again with sheer pace. With Parkinson waiting at the far post, the ball was again cleared for another Town corner.

Gritton made a great run. The Town front men were able to outpace the Orient defenders at will, but as the ball came loose it was Orient who broke and it took another good save from Williams to keep the Mariners in front.

Goal!: 70:52 Reddy took the ball into the corner and worked with Macca. Parkinson's mis-hit shot was slid home by Martin Gritton.

Three minutes later, Parkinson beat the off-side trap, and was one on one with the keeper, but he was out-thought by Harrison and Town lost a golden opportunity to go three up.

Pinault replaced Coldicott on 79 minutes.

Goal!: Pinault conceded a free kick from which Echanomi scored on 81 minutes.

Worse followed as Bull was given a straight red in the aftermath of the goal, and then with some input from the linesman, he produced a second red for Orient's debutant Scott Fitzgerald.

After 86 minutes Greg Young replaced Andy Parkinson, and with Echanomi causing Town's back-line problems, Slade and Rodger told Young vehemently where to play!

Williams was booked for time-wasting, with 2 minutes of normal time left.

Young conceded a corner as the clock wound down, and it took a great block by Jones to save Town's blushes.

Four minutes of added time was signalled.

Reddy, Gritton and Fleming took the ball into the Orient area, and kept possession with the clock slowly winding down to less than a minute to go.

Steele placed the ball wide as the full four minutes was up, but the referee signalled a corner, and that was the last action after 49 minutes and 31 seconds of the second half. The Mariners fans made themselves heard as their heroes celebrated.

Full-time: Town 2 - 1 Orient.

Teams:
Town: Williams, McDermott, Fleming, Forbes, Bull, Jones, Coldicott, Parkinson, Ramsden, Gritton, Reddy
Subs: Pinault, Young, Mansaram, Crane, Hockless

Orient: Harrison, Lockwood, Miller, White, Mackie, Newey, McMahon, Simpson, Scott, Steele, Fitzgerald
Subs: Morris, Hunt, Saah, Duncan, Echanomi