Leyton Orient’s head coach, Richie Wellens, expressed his delight at the team ending their prolonged wait for a League One win with a 2-1 victory against Cheltenham. The O’s had endured a challenging eight-game winless streak since their last triumph in mid-October, but they managed to overcome a deficit against the bottom-placed team.
Wellens acknowledged that it wasn’t their finest performance but emphasized the significance of securing a positive result. Speaking to the club website, he said, “I’m pleased for the supporters because it’s been a long time coming. We have performed a lot better than that; football is mad, isn’t it.”
Despite not delivering their best on the field, Wellens pointed out the importance of persistence and effort. He noted that the team had faced a lack of luck in recent weeks but emphasized the belief in hard work and perseverance, stating, “When you start making good decisions, it’s mad, you believe, the momentum shifts, and you get the just rewards for that.”
The match against Cheltenham saw Leyton Orient facing challenges, with the hosts reduced to 10 men early in the game. Ben Williams received two yellow cards and was sent off in the 18th minute. Although the O’s encountered difficulties, they capitalized on two late goals to secure the much-needed win.
Shaq Forde’s shot, deflected into the net by Cheltenham’s Sean Long in the last minute of normal time, and Ethan Galbraith’s goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time turned the tide in Leyton Orient’s favor.
Expressing his satisfaction with the outcome, Wellens said, “I’m pleased for the supporters, I hope they have a good weekend. We’ve had so many good days here; we want to give them more.” He highlighted the team’s progress at this level and the need for additional players to enhance the squad.
The victory propelled Leyton Orient to the 14th position in the table, setting a positive tone ahead of their upcoming match against Bolton. Wellens maintained a balanced perspective, focusing on performance-related aspects and acknowledging that the team is a work in progress.
Looking ahead, Leyton Orient is scheduled to host Charlton at Brisbane Road on Boxing Day, followed by a home fixture against Wycombe on December 29 to conclude their 2023 campaign.
Leave a Reply