Fans were key as O’s win at last – Wellens

RICHIE Wellens hailed his side’s supporters as Leyton Orient beat Rochdale for a first win in nine home matches.

Appointed O’s boss earlier this month, this was his first home game in charge after two away draws.

Orient recovered from falling behind to an early Alex Newby goal to win comfortably thanks to goals by Paul Smyth, Ruel Sotiriou – his fourth in five games – and sub Harry Smith who collected his 14th goal of the season.

“I sensed a change of feeling in the ground, particularly after 25 minutes, where it could have been a long afternoon for us,” Wellens said.

“Rochdale looked good and we didn’t press. What we worked on we weren’t quite doing.

“The goal from Paul Smyth was a special equaliser and a massive turning point in the game.

“I felt the win had been coming if I’m honest after two difficult away trips where we could have nicked a win but today’s an important one as I guess the feelings of the crowd had a feeling of discontent.

“But they stuck with us and the last 15 minutes was important and maybe that’s the accumulation of 15 games without a win – but it was important they stick with us.”

Rochdale went ahead after six minutes when Orient failed to clear a corner. Stephen Dooley played the ball back into the danger area where Newby pounced to fire in a left-footed shot.

Laurence Vigouroux tipped a Liam Kelly drive over the bar on the half-hour to prevent Dale from doubling their lead and it was against the run of play when Orient equalised five minutes before the break.

Sotiriou fed a pass to Smyth who slammed a powerful right-footed drive into the top corner from 30 yards.

Suitably inspired, Orient went ahead after 58 minutes when Sotiriou found the bottom corner and they completed the comeback when Smith scored with a simple header in the 80th minute after a shot by Theo Archibald had been blocked.

Rochdale manager Robbie Stockdale pulled no punches after the defeat.

“We have said some pretty harsh words in our dressing room and the players know exactly how I feel about that game,” he said.