Dan Agyei makes an honest admission, as the O’s passed the Cambridge exam to start 2024 on high form.

Leyton Orient began the new year with a positive outcome, securing a 1-0 victory against Cambridge United in a League One encounter at Abbey Stadium. Manager Richie Wellens’ team sealed the win through a quickfire double from Jordan Brown and Dan Agyei shortly before the hour mark.

In the initial minutes, Agyei, assisted by Theo Archibald, struck the outside of the post, and Tom James narrowly missed a near-post flick from an Archibald corner. Despite several attempts, including a powerful shot by Archibald hitting the crossbar and Idris El Mizouni’s cross being tipped away, Leyton Orient couldn’t break the deadlock in the first half.

The turning point came nine minutes into the second half when Max Sanders’ corner wasn’t properly cleared, allowing Brown to calmly slot the ball home. Three minutes later, Agyei extended the lead to 2-0 with a well-placed shot from a tight angle. Agyei was subsequently substituted for Joe Pigott.

Pigott had opportunities to further widen the gap, firing wide after a Sanders assist and narrowly missing the crossbar with a well-struck effort. Despite a late attempt by Jack Lankester for the home side, Leyton Orient maintained their advantage and secured the victory, marking a positive start to the year.

The Leyton Orient lineup featured Brynn, Galbraith, Beckles, Happe, James, Brown, El Mizouni, Forde, Sanders, Archibald, and Agyei, with substitutes Cooper, Pratley, Sweeney, Turns, Howes, and Moncur remaining unused.