Wrexham 0 Leyton Orient 2

Vanarama National League

Saturday 24^th November

The O’s left it late before taking all the points from the Racecourse Ground in what was a pivotal weekend as far the top the Vanarama National League table was concerned with the top four all meeting each other. The O’s defended resolutely at times and then took their chances in the final five minutes to gain a win that underlines their title contentions.

After a cagey opening Josh Koroma suddenly took on a number of Wrexham players, which resulted in him being fouled. The free kick was the O’s first attempt at goal and Jobi McAnuff floated the ball across the box, reaching Marvin Ekpiteta who placed his shot wide. Wrexham responded in kind with a move that played in Stuart Beavon, but he directed his shot directly at Dean Brill.

Koroma was able to tease out another opportunity for the O’s, having a deflected shot that reached Macauley Bonne who directed a header on-target, but Rob Lainton was equal to it. McAnuff then went close with a free kick. But it was a solid Wrexham defence that the O’s were coming up against and that kept the O’s frontline well and truly feeding on scraps.

Wrexham though started to tease out more of the chances as they started to get a foothold on the game. It started in the 23^rd minute when a well worked move set Rekeil Pyke on a burst towards goal, but Brill charged the ball down. Soon afterwards a Luke Summerfield free kick tested the O’s defence as it zipped towards the back post. And in the 32^nd minute another Summerfield free kick, this time from the left required the O’s defence to stand firm and clear their lines. The O’s were able to conjure up another chance; another free kick from McAnuff ended up bobbling around the Wrexham box until  being lofted clear by Shaun Pearson.

But the hosts then crafted a threatening forward move; started by Summerfield who quickly moved the ball from right to left, playing in Pyke who quickly played the ball to Beavon; but Ekpiteta was keeping a close eye on proceedings and so when Beavon turned he found the O’s defender in a position to outmuscle the Dragons player before he could unload. It was solid defending and it meant the two teams went in goalless at the break, although Wrexham had perhaps produced the most threatening forward moves.

Wrexham continued to pressure the O’s after the break, winning the game’s first corner inside the opening minute of the second half. Ekpiteta rose highest to head that one away, but there was to be a follow up corner which Brill cut out. But the O’s won a corner of their own after McAnuff cut inside the Wrexham box, sending over a cross that was knocked away for a corner. McAnuff then took the resulting corner that was cleared. Wrexham’s defence again foiling the O’s.

Bradley Walker had a chance of sorts for the hosts on the hour; rising above the O’s defence to get a header off target. But the hosts were starting to come forward now and Myles Judd had to put in a tackle to halt Rutherford’s run, which won the first of two corners. It was the second one which gave Orient a heart-in-mouth moment as Pearson’s bullet header produced a reflex save from Brill. And while Koroma was able to rifle a shot at close range, at the midway point of the half it was the Dragons who were having most of the possession and the better of the chances.

The O’s did win a corner in the 74^th minute as Brophy’s cross was knocked behind by Roberts. Ekpiteta was able to get on the end of McAnuff’s corner but his route to goal was blocked and the ball cleared: another O’s move breaking down due to Wrexham’s defensive brick wall.

But Orient too were digging in, and even when Wrexham found a way through, like James Jennings did in the 80^th minute, they found Brill showing safe hands as he saved the header.

Games are won by seeing out storms and taking chances when presented. On 85 minutes the O’s won a corner and the ball fell kindly to Bonne who volleyed the ball into the roof of the net to give Orient the lead. A minute late and Koroma nearly doubled that lead when his curling shot eluded Lainton before clipping the post.

The win was secured in the 90^th minute when a ball over the top saw Lainton rush out of his box to head the ball clear, but it fell to Brophy who then drilled the ball home, completing a smash and grab that sees Leyton Orient remain at the top of the table with a three points lead.

The O’s now have two home games, starting on Tuesday when they entertain Aldershot Town, followed by Gateshead on Saturday.

Wrexham: Rob Lainton, Kevin Roberts, Shauan Pearson (Capt), Luke Summerfield, Luke Young, Rekeil Pike (Jordan Maguire-Drew 83’), Mark Carrington, Paul Rutherford (James Jennings 78’), Brad Walker, Stuart Beavon (Mike Fondop 78’), Jake Lawlor.

Leyton Orient: Dean Brill, Myles Judd, Josh Coulson, Marvin Ekpiteta, Joe Widdowson, Jobi McAnuff (Capt), Dale Gorman (James Alabi 85’), Craig Clay, James Dayton (James Brophy 68’), Josh Koroma, Macauley Bonne.

Scorers – Macauley Bonne (85’), James Brophy (90’).