Going into this run of three games in a week, I have to admit that I was slightly apprehensive. As good as Orient’s unbeaten run in the league had been, I was a bit concerned that the step up in quality of opposition (at least in the form of Reading and Stockport), an always tough away trip to Exeter on a Tuesday night in January, and a not inconsiderable list of absentees, might stifle our momentum just a tad.

Albeit with the tasty looking home game against Stockport still to come, it has to be said that it is so far so good for the O’s, with two more victories, 8 goals scored, just 2 conceded and the unbeaten run extended to 11 league matches.

The thing that really stood out from Orient’s performance in the 2-0 win over Reading last Saturday was the way we just seemed so in control of the match right from the start. Make no mistake, despite their ongoing financial issues, and the loss of their manager Rubén Sellés to Hull City last month, the Royals have been making a relatively good fist of their season and were like ourselves just outside the play-off places. However, we really didn’t allow them to get any real foothold in the match at all for the duration of the 90 minutes.

As Richie said in his post-match interview it was difficult to remember Josh Keeley in our goal being massively troubled or having many (any?) real saves to make. In reality Dilan Markanday’s goal just before the half hour mark, and Charlie Kelman’s poacher‘s goal six minutes into the second half settled the encounter as a contest.

The trip to Exeter on a rainy Tuesday evening was daunting from the point of view that it is a long way to travel, and the weather was pretty atrocious. However we got off to an absolute flyer (clearly Richie convincing Nigel Travis and Marting Ling to stump up for the train worked after all!!), and we were 2-0 up before the clock had even reached the 10 minute mark. Both goals coming from the highly impressive Azeem Abdulai in only his second appearance for the club.

The opener saw him sweep home after Dilan Markanday had driven in from the right wing, the second was courtesy of an absolutely magical crossfield ball from Jamie Donley that frankly simply had to be seen to be believed.

The young Spurs loanee has more than impressed in recent weeks, but this was on a completely different level. As many people have said in the aftermath, if that had come from someone like Kevin De Bruyne or Trent Alexander-Arnold (with apologies for swearing!), it would have been impressive enough; but for a youngster making his way in his first season of senior football, it was simply out of this world. 

Just seven minutes later Sean Clare curled in a beauty of an effort from outside the area that nestled inside the right hand post. Speaking after the match Richie Wellens described our start as “ruthless”, a completely apt description for the way we simply tore Exeter to pieces in the opening quarter of an hour.

Understandably we eased off a little bit after that with a comfortable lead, but Markanday was on hand just past the half hour mark to make it 4-0 at the break, forcing the ball home after being played in by Donley.

No doubt Exeter had the “benefit” of some harsh words from manager Gary Caldwell at half time and rallied themselves with two quick goals both from Millenic Alli. The first when he bundled home at the far post from a deep cross from the left, the second a header from a corner.

Just for a slight moment the Orient fan in me allowed a nagging worry to creep in, my mate Tim messaged me at that point saying the same thing, and I am sure we were far from alone amongst the Orient faithful!  We should know though, this version, Richie’s incarnation, of Leyton Orient is made of sterner stuff, “it’s not the same old Orient anymore” as the gaffer said to Dulcet Dave after the match, and we wasted little time in restoring our four goal advantage.

Abdulai sealed his hat-trick when he cleverly let a ball run past him before turning and driving into the box to be on the end of Jack Currie’s ball in. If we hadn’t had Donley’s supreme assist in the first half then that dummy would have been the standout piece of skill from the match. Then that man Donley made it six, unleashing a swerving, dipping volley from the edge of the box that left Exeter keeper Joe Whitworth grasping at fresh air. It was a truly stunning performance by the O’s.

The only bad news of the evening was the injuries to Omar Beckles and Sean Clare. Beckles suffered a reportedly fairly serious hamstring injury, while Clare’s is apparently a repeat of the issue that kept him out for several weeks in the autumn and early winter. Dilan Markanday also had to be replaced with a shin issue although by all accounts that doesn’t seem as serious, and he should be available again soon.

Those three added to those who are already missing mean we are down to the bare bones of what we have available from the bench, although the signing of Sonny Perkins on a permanent deal has alleviated the issue about which loan players can be used. To emphasise the point, once again Jayden Sweeney had to come on and play on the wing just to do a job for the team.

Of course the transfer window still remains open and maybe there might be some further reinforcements to come in before Monday. The big fear is that a lack of fit and available personnel derails us after such an incredible run of form.

On the subject of the transfer window, it seems we are no closer to signing the additional striker that Richie is so desperate for. Charlie Kelman works his socks off in every single game and has 8 league goals to his credit, but the acquisition of a genuine, more clinical finisher could take our play-off push to another level.

Right now we sit in 6^th spot in the table, and it is worth reflecting on what a simply fantastic turnaround it has been since the end of November when we lost at home to Huddersfield and were flirting with the drop zone. Since then it is played 11, won 9, drawn 2, lost 0, scored 26, conceded 4. Whichever way you look at it that is simply phenomenal and the best run probably most of us can remember.

Next up is another key match-up against a Stockport side that sit one place and 3 points above us in the table having played a game more. We know the Hatters will be no pushover, and that we are going to be missing some key players, but if the last few weeks have taught us anything it is that our boys are definitely up for the challenge. It really promises to be an absolute humdinger of a match, and if we can get the result we are all hoping for it will set us up nicely ahead of the small matter of the FA Cup tie against somebody or other from Manchester next week!

Up the O’s!