Orient 'Slade' by Glovers

By Alex O'Loughlin
August 7 2010

Yeovil Town began their League One campaign with a hard fought victory over Russell Slade's Leyton Orient at Huish Park.

The Glovers ended up 2-1 victors, after the O's Alex Revell's goal was sandwiched between goals from Dean Bowditch and Luke Freeman.

Yeovil fielded virtually the same side that had featured throughout pre-season, with Nathan Jones playing at left-back presumably due to a slight injury to Nathan Smith.

The deadlock was soon broken, when last seasons top score Bowditch cleverly skipped past Ben Chorley out on the right before unleashing an unstoppable curling effort into the far corner past the helpless Orient 'keeper. 1.0.

This was just deserves, as Yeovil had dominated the early proceedings with debutant Andy Williams making some surging runs down the right wing.

However, the Glovers success was short lived, as the London outfit began to take control of the match, with some fast flowing football causing the Green and Whites trouble.

Striker Scott McGleish would have been in on goal a number of times, if not for some good stepping up by the Yeovil defence, consisting of man-of-the-match Adam Virgo.

But it wasn't until the 35th minute that Orient grabbed an equaliser, when the diminutive Dean Cox raced clear of Craig Alcock down the right before delivering a ball into Alex Revell who headed past John Sullivan in the Yeovil goal. 1-1. 

Yeovil looked in danger of conceding a second before the break, and looked eager to get to half-time.

But in an extraordinary series of events, they ended up snatching the lead!

Andy Williams placed in a seemingly wasted cross which 'keeper Jamie Jones should have collected easily. However, the goalkeeper spilled hopelessly allowing debutant Luke Freeman to stroke into an empty net, showing fine poachers instinct. 2-1.

This was joined by the half-time whistle.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 2-1 Leyton Orient

The second half continued as the first had ended, not with the Glovers scoring, but Orient continuing to dominate.

Jean-Paul Kalala collected what is sure to be the first of many yellow cards this season when he chased and chopped down midfielder Stephen Dawson.

Minutes later, former Yeovil favourite Terrell Forbes headed against the Yeovil post from a corner, ruining a moment to savour for the defender.

Later on, John Sullivan showed why he was brought in by Skiverton with a brilliant point blank save from Dean Cox's effort, before the heroic Adam Virgo cleared off the line, denying the O's a simple tap in.

Yeovil nearly grabbed a break away second when a long Sullivan kick found Dean Bowditch who spotted the jittery Jones off his line with the resulting lob falling just wide. Saving the 'keeper further blushes. 

The game ended with Orient piling pressure on the Glovers, with no real notable chances falling their way.

Both Cameron Stewart and Rob Kiernan appeared to make their Yeovil debuts, in what ended up being a positive 3 point start to the season for Yeovil. 

Terry Skiverton will have been happy with the end result, and certain aspects of the Glovers performance, but will have improvements to make ahead of Tuesday's Carling Cup match with Crystal Palace.