So this is my first report all be it almost a week late...
The start of a new season, the chance to start afresh, every team on the same points and with the same chance (mathematically at least), of going up as the next team. As we were to find out that doesn't take too long to come crashing down...
It was my first trip to the banks stadium. Just a short journey out of Birmingham takes you almost directly to your seats. The sun was shining and for once the Orient fans, almost 800 strong had a strange confidence about them. We spent 20 mins before the game dodging stray practice shots and making jokes about the mascott and the poor showing form the home support.
Orient went with a standard 4-4-2 with several injuries forcing Slades hand a little in regards to team selection. Nevertheless the team looked strong and ready to go.
The game started at a brisk tempo with ex O, Adam Chambers squaring up to Ben Chorley within the 1st minute of the game as the previous cheers from the O's faithful aimed at Chambers soon turned to a chorus of boo's. Neither side could get a hold of the ball but it was Walsall who started creating the better chances. Macken went close with a curling effort and Claude Gnakpa, who caused Orient problems all day, went close to chipping over Butcher in the Orient goal.
The deadlock was then broken on 21 minutes when, who other than Chambers, picked up the ball a full 30 yards out and rifled a shot into the top corner. Butcher had no chance but with no Orient player within 10 yards of Chambers when he shot it was a little disappointing.
As Orient tried to get a grip on the game they reverted to their usual passing game but could not get further than the half way line and when they did the ball wasn't sticking with Revell and the not fully fit Cureton up front.
It took a full 60 minutes before Orient got an effort on target. A deep cross which Jimmy Smith did brilliantly well to get a head to it and force the Walsall keeper,Walker (porker) into a smart save. From then on the O's bossed the game and although looked better going forward never seemed to have the cutting edge in the box. Walker pushed another Smith header over and Cureton saw his snap shot go comfortably wide while Walsall defended well without having any attacking threat in the second period.
Tehoue and Porter looked sharp when they came on but it was too little too late as the O's went down by a goal to nil.
In Review:
Orient missed Dawson in midfield to break up play, something which Chambers did well for Walsall. Orients shape looked off but that will improve with games and although we didn't show up for an hour showed some positive signs.
Ratings:
Butcher - 6.5 - Couldn't have done anything with the goal and wasn't really tested outside of that. Good handling and kicking
Omozusi - 6 - Let in a few unchallenged crosses early on but did well getting forward with little in the way of help on the right.
Cuthbert - 7.5 - Made two last second tackles. Always looked assured on the ball and good in the air.
Chorley - 7 - Solid at the back as usual.
Daniels - 7 - Got forward well in the second half and put in a few decent crosses.
Smith - 7 - Didn't do a lot in midfield but made some great late runs and was Orients main threat going forward.
Spring - 5 - Slow on the ball, misplaced passes and defensively awful. One to forget.
McSweeney - 6 - Absent for most of the game until he went off injured.
Cox - 6.5 - Not hes usual self and looked frustrated with the lack of possession.
Revell - 6 - For all his effort never affected the game.
Cureton - 6 - Didn't look fit and his first touch wasn't there all day.
Subs:
Richardson - 5 - Didn't do too much apart from one shot comfortably over.
Tehoue - 6 - Won almost every header and looked sharp. Should have started.
Porter - 6 - Only got 5 mins but looked good and caused problems with his pace.
Slade - 6 - Was limited by injuries but should have changed it round a bit earlier.
Ref - 7 - Let the game flow and was pretty consistent.
AS
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