I was reasonably confident that we would see an Albion team fighting for each other, and hopefully some good football.
The away end was probably only just over half full, 600 Orient fans (was a pathetic turn out), but the crowd of 6,003 was very poor again. Perhaps the result may make a few more return!
The match started well for Orient, they passed the ball about well and look a reasonable team, then the game was turned on its head as Harty was pulled down and the defender was red carded.
We were still getting used to having the away team in the dug out in front of us! Ling had a quick chat with colleagues before bringing on a left back and taking off a midfielder.
Orient were out of sync from the free kick and it wasnt long before Reid smashed in a rebound from about 25 yards.
Not to be outdone, not long later El-Abd gets the ball about the same distance out and smashes the ball just inside the post (with his left foot) for his first ever Albion goal.
Just before half time and Revell plays a great ball inside to Cox who has acres of room and places the ball across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. 3-0 at half time and hopefully more goals to come.
2nd half and at times it was laboured, but at times we played some cracking passing football, with Cox outstading. Reid was pushed and we got a penalty, but Hammond placed it too low and near the keeper and it remained 3-0.
Santos then gave away a stupid penalty and it was 3-1.
Wilkins made a couple of subs and it worked well. Robinson cut inside and set up Fraser who blazed the ball wide, Robinson did the same again and this time his perfect cross was nodded into the net by Loft for 4-1.
Cox also hit the post from a free kick! The Orient lad we tried to sign came off the bench and looked OK, but if he isnt good enough for an Orient starting XI and is valued at over #150k - no thanks!
Kuipers - 7 always talking to the defenders
El-Abd - 7 great goal, relatively easy defensive game
Lynch - 7 easy game
Sanots - 6 for giving away a needless penalty and then nearly getting his head knocked off by heading out a ball about 4 inches off the ground (a very very harsh booking for the Orient player!)
Mayo - 7 much better game, used his experiance well again
Reid - 7 good game at centre midfield
Hammond - 7 linked up well with lots of players
Cox - 8 my MOTM, oftens tries too hard, but I cant fault him for that. Some great passes and runs
Frutos - 6 glimpses of his form coming back
Revell - 7 pushed Cox for my MOTM, some great crosses and good link up play
Hart 6 - battled as ever
Robinson 6 - look more up for it when he came on
Loft 6 - good once he had stopped slipping over!