McGleish double helps O's to win

Monday, 23 November 2009

Leyton Orient 2-1 Tranmere Rovers - Coca Cola League One

By Rowland Lyons at the Matchroom Stadium

TWO-GOAL Scott McGleish lifted the gloom surrounding the Matchroom Stadium as Leyton Orient hit back with a 2-1 win against fellow strugglers Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

This was the third meeting of the sides in 15 days – with the most recent being a depressing midweek FA Cup defeat for the O’s.

With the Orient ‘goals for’ tally needing a boost once again, they found themselves on the fringes of the League One drop zone. McGleish – who is approaching 200 league goals - fired the O’s ahead, but Charlie Barnett levelled for Tranmere, before the veteran hitman poked home the winner with 20 minutes left.

The O’s made a bright start and were able to include Andros Townsend and Luke Summerfield – and the pair showed the Matchroom faithful what they had been missing during last Tuesday’s debacle. James Scowcrott, Jason Demetriou and Adam Chambers were dropped to the bench.

Having gone close on 16 minutes, when a square McGleish pass to team mate Ryan Jarvis might have reaped an early reward, Jarvis then turned provider seven minutes later after good Townsend build-up play.

A precise, five-yard pass allowed McGleish the time and space to pick his spot and open the scoring with a superb 20-yard drive that comfortably beat Rovers keeper Luke Daniels.

But, Tranmere – hoping to emulate their cup win – were back on level terms only six minutes later when Ben Chorley’s poor clearing header only fell to Paul McLaren. His piledriver was only parried by Glenn Morris and Barnett reacted quickest to net from close range.

Orient were quickly back on the offensive, but had to wait until the stroke of half-time when Jarvis had a great chance to put the O’s back in the lead, but on rounding Daniels, the mis-firing striker hesitated and wasted the opportunity.

The confident Townsend proved a thorn in Tranmere’s side all afternoon and the on-loan winger gave the O’s the cutting edge they so sorely missed last week.

Ten minutes into the second period the 18-year old’s run and cross just needed the faintest of touches to restore Orient’s lead, but it soon came when the unmarked Sean Thornton pumped Summerfield’s driven corner back into the box and McGleish was on hand to stab the winner home from six yards.

Orient never looked back and – for once this season – finished strongly with Morris a virtual spectator. Indeed, the victory margin should have been greater, but Summerfield twice lacked composure in front of goal as Townsend’s pace had the visitors on the rack by creating a host of chances.

After Orient had risen to the relative ‘luxury’ of 17th position in League One, a delighted boss Geraint Williams said: “It was a much better performance than on Tuesday – we played with a tempo today – something we didn’t do then. We were good from the first whistle – as were the crowd who really got behind us.”

The Welshman admitted: “The chairman would have liked a cup run – and being greedy I would’ve rather been playing in the FA Cup 2nd Round – but if I would have had to have chosen, it would have been the three points as the league is our bread and butter. It’s important for us to remain in League One.”

Williams paid tribute to match winner McGleish: “Scotty will always be one of my first picks and today – again – he stuck his head above the parapet. It was a great strike for the first goal and did well to get his toe on the end of a cross for the second.”

McGleish said: “It was just desserts today as I thought we played really well. We got the ball down and passed it. It might not always look like that, but that’s what we want to do. But, even at the end when Tranmere tried throwing everything at us, we still had the composure to roll the ball around and had Andros Townsend running at them. You can see why he is a Premiership player.

“A cup run would have been good for club and to generate money. But, as ever, the league is our bread and butter and we want to push up the table and today we have done that. As a team we are looking where we finish – and above. And, today’s win will give us confidence going into Tuesday’s trip to Leeds.”

The seven-goal striker concluded: “I am not setting any targets this term. I managed eleven last season – but was out on loan twice. At this stage of my career I’m aiming just to play as many games as possible. Playing well is the main thing and any goals that come along are a bonus. It’s my job and I want to score as many as I can. I am fifteen short of 200 league goals. Can I get to there? I’d like to think so.”

*Orient travel to Leeds United tomorrow night (Tuesday, kick-off 7-45pm) and entertain Gillingham Tuesday week (December 1st, kick-off 7.45pm).

How they lined up:

Leyton Orient: Glenn Morris – Stephen Purches, Tamika Mkandawire, Ben Chorley, Charlie Daniels – Jimmy Smith, Sean Thornton, Luke Summerfield, Andros Townsend – Scott McGleish, Ryan Jarvis (Adrian Patulea 62). Subs (not used): Jamie Jones (GK), Andrew Cave-Brown, Luke Ashworth, Loick Pires, James Scowcroft, Jason Demetriou.

Tranmere Rovers: Luke Daniels – Marlon Broomes, Ian Goodison (Aaron Cresswell 28), Ash Taylor, Zoumana Bakayogo – Chris Shuker, John Welsh, Charlie Barnett, Paul McLaren - Ian Thomas-Moore, Craig Curran (sub. Kithson Bain, 72 mins). Subs (not used): Terry Gornell, Tom Baker, Joe Collister (GK), Michael Ricketts, Ryan Fraughan.

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