ORIENT ARE FORCED TO DIG IN DEEP
RELEGATION-HAUNTED Havant & Waterlooville gave title chasers Leyton Orient a tough afternoon workout at a packed Westleigh Park, but it was the visitors who went home with the points.
Jordan Maguire-Drew netted a brilliant first-half opener for the O’s before Alfie Rutherford replied with a stunning volley.
But it was left to defender Josh Coulson to head home the winner 16 minutes from time to give the Os the points.
“It was a real tough encounter,” admitted Orient boss Justin Edinburgh.
“Havant gave us a really tough game, I believe they have enough about them to stay up. We had to fight to the end to get a result.
“It was a great three points for us, which ensure our title hopes are still in our own hands.”
The visitors were on the front foot early on, and constantly threatened by the overlapping runs of Joe Widdowson.
Havant’s slow start became even more disjointed when they were forced to make a change inside the opening ten minutes when an awful challenge by Sam Ling saw defender Jack James take a boot full in the face before needing 14 stitches in a gaping wound. And on 36 minutes they made their superiority count with a simply stunning strike. Macauley Bonne laid the ball off to Maguire-Drew, who took a touch and lifted the ball over Ben Dudzinski into the net from 30 yards. Bonne and Jay Simpson continued to link up well – the former testing Dudzinski with a stinging effort.
Marvin Ekpiteta hit the crossbar from close range following a corner and the Hawks made them pay midway through the second half with an equally stunning goal – Rutherford seeing his initial effort from 25 yards blocked before volleying the rebound into the top corner, giving keeper Dean Brill no chance.
This lead lasted just six minutes, however, a corner flicked off the head of Coulson, who sneaked in at the far post.
Havant’s frustrations were compounded by having two strong penalty claims turned down and in a last-minute scramble striker Josh Quigley appeared to have forced the ball over the line for an equaliser, but the goal was chalked off for a foul on the keeper.
Hawks boss Lee Bradbury surmised: “I was proud of our lads, who put in a really brave performance. We matched them most of the game and deserved at least a point as we had two blatant penalties not given.
“Alfie again scored an unbelievable goal and I’m surprised he has been overlooked for the England C squad.”