Leyton Orient forced to a draw in a fiery encounter in their home game against Chester FC.
Leyton Orient went into the fixture in 19th place with Chester just behind in 21st, looking for their first league win in twelve games. Orient started positively, putting Chester under pressure straight from the kick off and in just six minutes, Zimbabwe international Macauley Bonne headed home past Chester’s number one, Lynch. However, just ten minutes later, despite Orient’s superiority, miscommunication between centre-back Jamie Sendles-White and full-back Joe Widdowson led to an opening for Chester’s number 20, James Akintunde, who fired a looping effort which was seemingly palmed off the line by goalkeeper, Sam Sargeant but due to talks between the Referee and his Linesman, it was controversially given as a goal. Despite just conceding, Leyton Orient continued their dominance until just five minutes before half time when a Ross Hannah freekick rifled into the bottom corner past Sargeant, leaving the home fans once again infuriated with the decision given against them. Just four minutes later, Jamie Sendles-White was on the receiving end of a second yellow card for a foul committed in the penalty area, giving Chester a penalty in the 44th minute. Ross Hannah’s penalty was saved by the diving Sam Sargeant to ensure the one goal deficit going in at half time.
Less action followed in the second half but with more controversial decisions by Referee Alan Dale, continuing to anger the Leyton Orient fans. However, in the 60th minute a spontaneous effort by Leyton Orient’s number 7, Jobi McAnuff, thundered past goalkeeper Lynch, leaving him rooted to the spot. The final whistle blew with both teams level at 2-2, meaning that a point would be gained by both sides, leaving Orient in 20th, just one place above Chester in 21st. Orient manager, Ross Embleton, praised his sides enthusiasm, stating: “the character that the boys showed was fantastic”, even though they lost their early lead. Orient’s next fixture is against Torquay United away at Plainmoor, where they will be looking to end their win drought.
By George Carrig
