Bristol Rovers produced their worst half of the season in a gutless opening 45 minutes in which they conceded three goals, two of which coming from individual errors.
The hosts started as they meant to go on with constant pressure, dominating possession and making it very difficult for Rovers to leave their own half or put together any meaningful spells.
Despite much-improved defending from set pieces of late, the Gas fell behind after 17 minutes as Dan Happe headed home a free-kick from Tom James to hand Orient a deserved lead.
The East Londoners doubled their advantage 12 minutes later when Taylor Moore saw his pocket picked by Ollie O’Neill just outside his penalty area with the O’s forward then cutting inside and drilling an excellent finish past Josh Griffiths.
With their display going into the closing stages of the first half arguably the worst of their season so far, any doubt of that feat was extinguished when another individual error led to a goal as Clinton Mola had the ball legally stolen from him by Dan Agyei who then thumped home a third just before the interval.
Orient’s dominance continued in the second half with limited improvement from Rovers, at least in the final third, to the frustration of away supporters with a number noticeably making the decision to head home early at half-time after booing their team into the tunnel.
Agyei continued to cause the Gas numerous issues and realistically should have left Brisbane Road with the match ball had it not been for a couple of excellent saves from Griffiths.
Although Rovers improved somewhat in the second half, 3-0 still felt like a flattering scoreline for the visitors which is quite possibly the most damning statement we can make after that defeat. Here’s how we rated the players.
Josh Griffiths – 6
The goalkeeper cannot be relied upon to have worldies every single game like he did on Saturday against Barnsley and in a couple other matches this season. Two or three saves you could put in the “good” category but was guilty of some poor passes and dodgy clearances.
Taylor Moore (off for Joel Senior 57′) – 4
The defender was outstanding on Saturday and looked more like his usual self after a few disappointing displays. However, this was extremely below par from the central defender who is still beying deployed at right-back.
A few decent clearances but was guilty of a really poor giveaway to Ollie O’Neill who picked up the ball, cut inside and curled home Orient’s second goal.
Of course, one of many who had extremely sub-standard performances. Capable of so much better.
Connor Taylor – 5
Has been the Gas’ best outfield player in recent weeks, which says a lot anyways, but was sub standard tonight. Still some important interceptions, clearances and blocks as you can always expect from the colossal defender but there were a couple of nervy moments where of late he’s been cool, calm and collected.
James Wilson – 5
Nowhere near his best but still contributed to making sure the result wasn’t more embarrassing than it already was. Stand out moment was an impressive goal line clearance in the second half.
Clinton Mola (off for Michael Forbes 57′) – 4
Like Moore, a really uncharacteristically poor display. Just needed to see the ball out in the closing stages of the first half, in which he had already been well below standard, but instead got it nicked off his heels by Dan Agyei who then thumped home a third for the hosts to put the result well beyond doubt.
Jamie Lindsay (off for Jake Garrett 80′) – 4
Extremely lucky in the first half not to have been another Rovers player to have seen a cheap giveaway lead to a goal as the midfielder handed Agyei an opportunity on a silver platter with the striker’s effort a straightforward one for Griffiths to save. The Gas struggled to string together any meaningful passes and the midfield will certainly come under the microscope when looking at why that was.
Grant Ward (off for Luke McCormick 67′) – 4
Lost the ball too many times for his liking. Not much to say that hasn’t already been said, just another player who is capable of so much better. As said above, the midfield will come under major scrutiny for Rovers’ struggles to get the ball forward into meaningful areas.
Shaq Forde – 6
A player that comes out of the game with some credit. The Gas’ best player of the first half, although that wasn’t difficult, with some mazy runs. The only problem was that they largely came in his own half or just in Orient’s. Good tracking back too.
Ruel Sotiriou (off for Gatlin O’Donkor 67′) – 4
Felt for the forward who was subject to pretty constant jeers from the home crowd who clearly haven’t forgiven him for swapping his boyhood club for the Gas in the summer.
Hardly saw the ball and struggled to produce any meaningful link up play.
Scott Sinclair – 4
Found himself offside early in the second half for no good reason and didn’t offer much else.
Chris Martin – 5
A score that might raise eyebrows considering the limited amount of attacking play the Gas produced but even with next to no service, he was still important defending set pieces with some big headers away from corners.
Substitutes:
Michael Forbes (on 57′) – 5
Picked up a yellow card worryingly early into his cameo but handled the rest of the proceedings well enough.
Joel Senior (on 57′) – 6
Put in Rovers’ best cross of the night, not that there were many to pick from.
Gatlin O’Donkor (on 67′) – 5
Ran at the defence a few times but still was getting limited service. Tried to hold it up where he could.
Luke McCormick (on 67′) – 6
Won a tackle just outside his penalty area moments after coming on. More grit in his performance in 23 minutes plus stoppage time than some players in the entire match.
Jake Garrett (on 80′) – N/A
Came on late but nice to see him back on the pitch.