Not for the first time this season, Orient went into Saturday’s match at home to high-flying Bradford City looking for a response after a disappointing performance in their previous outing. However, for the first 25 minutes or so we didn’t look anything like a team that was intent on making a statement.

While we had just about managed to keep the Bantams at bay for the opening quarter of an hour, disaster struck in the 17^th minute. Tommy Simkin, somewhat surprisingly recalled in place of Killian Cahill, came charging out of his area to try to deal with a long ball forward, only to end up completely stranded in our right back area, and Stephen Humphrys rolled the ball from outside the area into the unguarded net. While Simkin did go on to make a couple of decent saves later in the match, if this was an opportunity for him to reclaim the number one spot after Cahill’s recent shaky form, then I for one am not 100% convinced he took it.

If we had struggled in the opening period of the match, when we replaced Tayo Adaramola with Omar Beckles and switched to the three centre back formation it seemed to spark us into action, and to stifle Bradford’s attacking threat. Whether the sub was purely tactical or due to Adaramola picking up an injury wasn’t entirely clear, but it definitely worked in our favour.

With 10 minutes to go to the half-time break we drew level. Tyreeq Bakinson floated a ball goalwards where Dom Ballard stole in front of the defenders to nod home.

At the start of the second half Theo Archibald sank to the turf seemingly in quite a bit of pain, I am sure I wasn’t alone in hoping and praying that he hadn’t suffered a relapse in his recovery from the knee injury that kept him out for the best part of 2 years. I drew some comfort from the fact that the treatment was administered to his chest and not his knee, and it was later confirmed that the injury was to his ribs.  

Just before the hour mark that man Ballard was at it again, controlling a loose ball in the penalty area and firing home. That was the 10^th league goal of the season for the young striker who continues to show he has a real poacher’s instinct, something that is even more valuable given that Aaron Connolly is set to be out for several months after undergoing surgery.

For the remaining half an hour, we had to weather some real Bradford pressure, including two very late corners with goalkeeper, Sam Walker, up in our goalmouth. At the time you could actually feel the tension all around Brisbane Road given we had shown a recent tendency to concede very late goals; but we just about held on and secured a very welcome 3 points.

Speaking after the match gaffer Richie Wellens suggested that “maybe it was a good way to win today”, to show ourselves that we can hold onto a lead despite mounting pressure. While I totally agree with that sentiment and hope that it will give us belief going forward, personally my frayed nerves would have preferred us to win a bit more comfortably than that!

While it is a very welcome victory, as we seem to say on an almost weekly basis this season, the important thing is to follow it up. The games come thick and fast at this time of year, and a good run could really push us up a very congested table, whereas negative results could see us dropping down. Right now though the focus has to be on the Boxing Day trip to Peterborough, then Luton, then Wimbledon at home, then Stevenage away. If we are sitting here at the start of the new year in an improved position in the league then I think we can all be happy with that.

Before signing off for this week, I just wanted to take the time to say a massive heartfelt thank you to everyone who has read, liked, commented and shared these weekly musings, it really is truly appreciated. 2025 has been a fantastic year to be an Orient fan, despite some very testing personal circumstances. The win against Derby, the Manchester City game, the charge to the play-offs and subsequent win at Stockport will live forever in the memory of all of us, even if it didn’t turn out to be our day at Wembley. Let’s hope the adventure continues into 2026!

For now though Merry Christmas to all that celebrate it, all the very best wishes for the New Year, and…Up the O’s!

Orient Nerd