9:51pm Tuesday 2nd February 2010
ORIENT ran riot at Brisbane Road tonight, putting five past Bristol Rovers for their biggest win since 2001.
This was a performance to relish by Orient, and Geraint Williams must reflect on how wonderful it is when a plan comes together.
Stephen Purches, Scott McGleish, Ryan Jarvis, Jason Demetriou all netted as the Pirates were ship-wrecked on rocks in east London.
And a great night got a perfect finish when Jonathan Tehoue tapped in Sean Thornton's free kick from six yards, with a minute to go.
“We want six!” was the cry from the stands around the pitch.
The results rockets Orient up to 11th place in League One.
They ruled this game from midfield, as Demetriou and Nicky Adams each turned in season best displays.
It must be said that Rovers were woefully inept, and came into tonight's game with just one win in five.
Their main threat Jo Kuffour had all the profile of a man on the witness protection scheme, as he was repeatedly forced to come deep to get possession.
But they were made to look bad by the hosts.
Nicky Adams on the right wing terrorised the Rovers defenders with his touch and crosses.
So much so that left back Aaron Lescott was hauled off midway through the half, probably in a state of shock.
On the opposite wing Jason Demetriou could have two goals in the first 15 minutes.
He met two of Adams' crosses at the far post, driving his first effort into the ground the first time, then heading wide of the post from six yards soon afterwards.
Bristol Rovers are pushing for a play-off place in League One but they were virtually anonymous in the first half.
Skipper Stephen Purches told Guardian Series Sports today he was itching to get his first goal. And he did tonight, courtesy of a deflection of Chris Lines on 25 minutes.
His low 22 yard effort totally wrong-footed keeper Mikkel Anderson to nestle in the bottom right corner.
The ariel bombardment by Orient caused Anderson a major headache all through the half, and he was left literally seeing stars near to the break.
Spilling Sean Thornton's free kick, Anderson dived onto the ball as Scott McGleish and Adam Chambers steamed in. Their follow-up efforts were blocked, for the loss of a few brain-cells.
The second period started as the first had ended. McGleish's header off Demetriou's cross brought a finger-tip save out of Anderson. A minute later, McGleish dribbled wide a shot after another killer ball by Demetriou.
Ryan Jarvis netted for the second game in a row when he connected with Adam Chambers low cross, on 51 minutes.
It was a well worked move by Orient, as Chambers charged down the right wing and delivered a rasping low cross which went behind everyone charging back, but not Jarvis.
Rovers only had isolated spells of possession and Koffour pea-rolled a couple rare effort into Jamie Jones' arms.
McGleish had been queuing up for a goal all game and when he got the chance from the penalty spot on 61 minutes, he made no mistake.
The hapless Lines barged McGleish to the ground by the spot as the pair tussled. Then the 35 year-old's kick rebounded off the foot of the left post and in off the back of luckless Anderson's head.
On 68 minutes Jason Demetriou stroked his effort past Anderson to make it four, when he got the freedom of Brisbane Road to churn up the turf and leave Rovers in his wake.
The rout was complete when Tehoue popped up for his debut goal.
Roll on Brighton this weekend.
Jones, Purches, Chorley, Mkandawire, Chambers, McGleish, (Scowcroft 73) Thornton, Demetriou, Daniels, Jarvis (Téhoué 73), Adams (Smith 75).
Subs: Morris, Melligan, Téhoué, Cave-Brown, Briggs, Smith, Scowcroft.
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