THINGS ARE LOOKING UP
Davis’ delight as Orient roll past Stones
LEYTON Orient head coach Steve Davis saw his team claim a second National League win of the season after finally breaking down a stubborn Maidstone United at Brisbane Road.
The O’s had to wait until an hour had been played to open the scoring with David Mooney heading home James Dayton’s cross.
Maidstone pushed for an equaliser and had a goal ruled out for offside before Orient substitute Rommy Boco sealed the win with a fine finish in the final minute.
“I am just happy to win,” said a relieved Davis. “Whether it comes at home or away it doesn’t matter. We just want to try and win every game.
“It won’t always happen but we will set out to win away as much as we win at home and it is about getting as many points as possible to settle people down and build more confidence and get the crowd behind you and we have been able to do that.”
The hosts didn’t have it all their own way with Delano Sam-Yorke having two efforts ruled out.
The second, a minute from time, occurred after Charlie Grainger had made a brilliant save to deny Joe Pigott.
Orient added their second soon after with Charlie Lee winning the ball before playing Boco in and the winger finished fantastically.
“Maidstone put us under a lot of pressure during the last 20 min- utes hence the little change in system (to a 4-5-1), which we had to deal with,” said Davis.
“They were very resilient and kept going and it wasn’t until the second goal that we felt comfortable, but games in this league will be like that.”
Stones boss Jay Saunders was disappointed with the mistakes his side made for both Orient goals.
The Kent club were cut open down their left for the opener and also failed to track Mooney’s run.
While the second occurred after giving away the ball in the middle of the pitch, which saw Davis’ team capitalise.
Saunders said: “We should be sitting here with more points, but we have just got to cut out the stupid mistakes because that is what is costing us. It is not like they are kids the ones making mistakes, they are experienced players, so hopefully that will change.
“You need a bit of luck as well and the goal that was disallowed is in on another day and then it is a different game, but we just couldn’t make the breakthrough.”
After an even first-half, Orient upped the ante following the interval and Mooney’s breakthrough was decisive.
Maidstone pushed for an equaliser and thought they had it until the linesman raised his flag to disallow Sam-Yorke’s effort.