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Post by gledholt terrier on Aug 3, 2025 10:09:15 GMT 1
Omens and Demons
The last time Town dispatched an opening day opponent who had soundly defeated them on the last day of the previous season was in 2016.
This may seem portentous, but Lee Grant would be better advised to look back a little more recently when an opening day win at Peterborough proved a false dawn, to say the least, as a thankfully largely dismantled squad of serial, unlikeable losers proceeded to deliver a disgusting campaign.
Like Peterborough, Leyton Orient come into the season with play off disappointment lingering and the inevitable changes to their personnel.
Grant, unlike his hapless predecessor, has had the luxury of seeing the back of players who condemned Town to their worst league position in 17 years, though the clear out is still, hopefully, ongoing. On the evidence of just one game, their replacements look capable of reviving fortunes, but any optimism must come with a heavy load of caution.
An entirely new defence was tested early when Watmough under hit a simple ball to Gooch, allowing Connolly to break, skip through some negligible challenges and hit the post with a good effort before blazing over the rebound.
Not long after, Town disrupted the O’s in the middle of the park and debutant May fed Wiles who emulated the visitors’ effort by hitting the far post with the keeper well beaten. The rebound fell into the keeper’s hands.
Playing at a good tempo, the Terriers soon began to dominate and several sorties down the left showed promise, with Miller in particular proving a menace to the Londoners, but the opening goal came from the right when an attempted challenge by the otherwise impressive Adaramola on Ledson gave Town a free kick from a nice angle.
Herbie Kane, who had a good influence on the game throughout, curled in an excellent ball beyond the defensive line but far enough from the keeper and Joe Low attacked the space, heading powerfully from short range for a debut goal and just reward for the hosts’ aggressive response to the early scare.
Including the goal, the Wiles attempt and progressive attacking, the opening 15 minutes provided more entertainment than the whole second half of last season. While that is a particularly low bar, it was necessary to get the supporters back onside quickly and they did respond - it really doesn’t take much.
Wiles had another decent attempt, routinely saved, and Town could have benefited from Orient failing to clear a very poorly delivered corner (by Miller, who was excellent other than this blip) but May couldn’t find enough power to shoot through several legs.
Orient played their part in a half of positive endeavour, but should have capitalised more on a rather nervy performance by Whatmough and, to a lesser extent, Low, in the first 20 minutes. Both were very good thereafter.
The only disappointment of an encouraging first 45 minutes was an injury to Roughan which appeared quite serious, evidenced by heavy strapping round his knee post game. The menace of injuries remains a worry after last season’s disastrous toll, and for a previously unscathed player to succumb so early in his Town career seems ominous.
Roughan’s departure brought Roosken on to the field to play in front of Miller, a not entirely convincing partnership on paper but it worked reasonably well despite something of a mixed performance from the substitute.
Another of the slew of debutants, Harness, provided creativity down the right with Gooch before coming off with a slight knock in the second half, while Ledson produced a very solid display to allow others, notably Kane, to play.
Though Orient remained a threat, particularly Connolly who could have equalised shortly into the second half when Goodman was forced into his first save of note to smother the attempt, Town effectively sealed the points with, of all things, a penalty, at home and converted.
Wiles, who looked trimmer, fitter and far less sulky than last season and should have made more of a good chance when through minutes earlier, made a run into the box for a Harness ball and was bundled over.
1,984 days since Karlan Grant converted a penalty at the stadium, Alfie May, who had worked tirelessly for the cause, stepped up and calmly slotted his kick to the keeper’s left as the custodian went the other way. May later revealed that he usually puts penalties to the other side but he had watched 10 clips of Simkin facing penalties. Who would have thought such research was anything but redundant?
Town could have extended the lead several times in an encouraging second half - Roosken’s failure to play a first time ball over to an unmarked May was especially egregious, though he did later set up his teammate with a deft cross over retreating defenders but May couldn’t generate enough power in his header which was easily saved.
Orient weren’t without chances of their own. After an entirely anonymous first half, the returning Koroma wasted a free kick opportunity with a rising effort over the bar, before producing a probing run and cross towards Connolly, who rather messed things up when the ball arrived at him.
Substitute Charles had a good effort tipped over before a late third cake topper arrived following good work between Sorensen and the ex Bolton man who fed another substitute, Taylor whose attempted shot turned into a perfect ball for Roosken to crash home.
The Roughan injury aside, it was a satisfying afternoon at the newly named Accu stadium. With the addition of creativity from Castledine, the possibility of McGuane recapturing his early career quality and the end of Feeney’s suspension one game away, the omens seem positive.
While Orient displayed all the features of a defeated play off finalist trying to recover from disappointment, they were still a dangerous and capable opponent.
With the penalty curse finally lifted, maybe the football Gods will smile down kindly on the injury front as well, but it wasn’t a great start on that score.
Two tough away games in the League will test the optimism emanating from a solid opener, but it did feel more convincing than the one at London Road 12 months ago, and this squad may even be quite likeable as the months pass.
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Post by frankslegs on Aug 3, 2025 13:14:59 GMT 1
Excellent summary as usual.
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Post by Headless Chicken on Aug 3, 2025 13:26:16 GMT 1
Good summary....although another that didn't spot Low's goal was far from a powerful header 🤣
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Post by Terrier Ramone on Aug 3, 2025 14:59:53 GMT 1
Very enjoyable report as usual, thank you.
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Post by Christ in Shades (art) on Aug 3, 2025 15:04:28 GMT 1
Good summary....although another that didn't spot Low's goal was far from a powerful header 🤣 Powerful shoulder effort. |
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Post by andyeastleake on Aug 3, 2025 18:54:03 GMT 1
Good summary....although another that didn't spot Low's goal was far from a powerful header 🤣 Powerful shoulder effort. I think that might be a generous definition of shoulder ART. |
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Macjinx
Jimmy Glazzard Terrier
I've got a Gibson without a case but I cant get that even tanned look on my face.
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Post by Macjinx on Aug 4, 2025 9:11:34 GMT 1
Good stuff as usual Martin. Let's hope it's the first of many positive reports this season.
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Post by huddshroom on Aug 4, 2025 10:25:42 GMT 1
Good summary....although another that didn't spot Low's goal was far from a powerful header 🤣 Powerful shoulder effort. Sent the keeper the wrong way |
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Post by djfnd on Aug 4, 2025 11:10:39 GMT 1
Good report. You can feel the pain of last season in the undercurrent of your words. Hopefully, we'll be able to look back and see that as the end of the post PL era of decline and this year as the start of the next era of growth. I have high hopes, there was a totally different vibe to the team and the play on Saturday. Which can only come from fresh leadership, a sense of purpose, and genuine competition for places in the side. Onwards.
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Post by gledholt terrier on Aug 4, 2025 12:04:59 GMT 1
Good report. You can feel the pain of last season in the undercurrent of your words. Hopefully, we'll be able to look back and see that as the end of the post PL era of decline and this year as the start of the next era of growth. I have high hopes, there was a totally different vibe to the team and the play on Saturday. Which can only come from fresh leadership, a sense of purpose, and genuine competition for places in the side. Onwards. A little more hopeful, yes, but want to see about 10 games to think about getting excited. (My desperation for a good season meant I saw the first goal as an unstoppable header instead of a shoulder - replays made a fool of me, though not as egregious as those who think Taylor passed to Roosken). |
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Post by Detective Boyle on Aug 4, 2025 12:13:27 GMT 1
Good report. You can feel the pain of last season in the undercurrent of your words. Hopefully, we'll be able to look back and see that as the end of the post PL era of decline and this year as the start of the next era of growth. I have high hopes, there was a totally different vibe to the team and the play on Saturday. Which can only come from fresh leadership, a sense of purpose, and genuine competition for places in the side. Onwards. A little more hopeful, yes, but want to see about 10 games to think about getting excited. (My desperation for a good season meant I saw the first goal as an unstoppable header instead of a shoulder - replays made a fool of me, though not as egregious as those who think Taylor passed to Roosken). You are right to be cautious. Whilst town were really good, Orient won’t be amongst the top clubs in the division this year, and that’s where the true tests will lie. I think Reading will be a true indication of our level, hopefully we can replicate that performance. |
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