Leyton Orient open their National League campaign with a disappointing 2-0 away defeat to Sutton United at Gander Green Lane.
Jamie Collins gave Sutton the lead from the spot, before Dean Beckwith slid in a second from close range, to give the hosts a dream start to the 2017/18 season.
Under new ownership and new man at the helm for the O’s Steve Davis, started ten of Orient’s 14 summer signings including club returns for both Jobi McAnuff and David Mooney ahead of their new campaign. With a further two newbies on the bench.
James Dayton had Orient’s first half chance in the opening ten minutes, as he was played through out wide and whipped a ball to the far post which had to be dealt with by Nicky Bailey for an O’s corner.
The O’s found themselves behind early on, as Joe Widdowson could not deal with a long ball over the top and clumsily brought down Craig Dundas. Which gave the referee no option but to point to the spot. Collins then stepped up and tucked it away as he sent Charlie Grainger the wrong way.
Orient reacted, as Captain Charlie Lee’s long throw was sent up high, Mooney challenged Jamie Butler but was penalised for a foul on the keeper as the ball nestled in the back of the net.
Sutton double their lead just after the half hour mark, after a great early cross from Ross Lafayette for Beckwith to tuck underneath Grainger and extend their advantage.
Just for the break the O’s had their first real opportunity, as McAnuff’s free-kick was met by George Elokobi but his header went over the bar.
In the second half, a diagonal set piece fell to Lafayette to strike for Sutton but fired wide of the target.
Orient pressed for a way back into the match, as substitute Romuald Boco delivered a ball in for centre back Josh Coulson but steered his header over the bar.
Boco again involved as his corner was flicked on by Coulson but Widdowson at the far post could not guide it on target and was penalised for a foul on the Sutton defender.
Sutton managed the game out to pick up the opening victory, as Orient move on to Tuesday for their first home game against Solihull Moors.
Sutton United Lineup: 26 Jamie Butler, 17 Dan Spence, 6 Jamie Collins, 4 Dean Beckwith, 3 Aswad Thomas, 16 Nicky Bailey (87), 8 Kenny Davis, 15 Craig Eastmond, 11 Kieran Cadogan, 14 Craig Dundas, 9 Ross Lafayette
Substitutes: 5 Louis John, 19 Jeffrey Monakana, 20 Tommy Wright (87), 21 Moses Emmanuel, 23 Josh Taylor
Leyton Orient Lineup: 1 Charlie Grainger, 2 Jake Caprice, 18 Josh Coulson, 5 George Elokobi, 3 Joe Widdowson, 4 Alex Lawless, 8 Charlie Lee (C) (80), 27 James Dayton (84), 7 Jobi McAnuff (69), 10 David Mooney, 9 Macauley Bonne
Substitutes: 12 Sam Sargeant, 16 Michael Clark, 23 Craig Clay (80), 11 Romuald Boco (84), 19 Josh Koroma (69)
Attendance: 3,198
