After all the talk in the week centred around Swindon’s lack of defensive options due to injury and missing out on a couple of free agent targets to shore up the back line, Swindon fans would be forgiven for heading into the trip to Leyton Orient believing defeat was a foregone conclusion.
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Orient, top of the league, headed into the League 2 match having only drawn 3 and lost 1 at home, conceding 5 goals throughout the season at Brisbane Road. However, Swindon defied the odds to pick up an unlikely point against Richie Wellens’ men, and keep their playoff aspirations within reach.
After a frantic start, Leyton Orient took the lead in the 13th minute through Omar Beckles who, despite being the tallest and most proficient in the air of all the Orient players, was given acres of space to head in the opener. Swindon reacted well to going a goal down, creating a handful of chances themselves immediately after the goal and enjoying some luck on the counter down the left side.
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Despite that, Orient enjoyed the majority of possession, coming out on top in the battle of League 2’s highest possession sides in those stakes. Their domination pushed Swindon further back as the half wore on, with Leyton Orient utilising their long throw specialists to pepper the Town box at every opportunity, and the table toppers looked every bit a top-of-the-table side in patches, with flashes of brilliant link-up play. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before they scored their second, but Swindon had moments themselves.
Returning from injury after being unavailable for most of the season, league debutant Reece Devine looked sharp, and broke through two Orient players before being brought down on the edge of the 18 yard box, before Jonny Williams ballooned the resulting free kick high over the bar from a promising position.
HALF TIME: Leyton Orient 1 – 0 Swindon
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A surprisingly resilient Swindon defence held firm to keep the deficit to 1 going into half time, and the 2nd half started much the same as the first, with the O’s applying plenty of presure to the patched up Swindon defence. The threatening Theo Archibald was replaced by George Moncur due to injury, highlighting the impressive squad depth that has seen Richie Wellen’s squad maintain their top spot in the league for most of the season.
Not long after the substitution, Swindon broke through the newly introduced Jacob Wakeling, who had replaced Devine through injury minutes before. The youngster combined well with Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, who played Wakeling through one-on-one with Orient keeper and former Swindon stopper, Lawrence Vigouroux. Despite getting a hand to Wakeling’s shot, he was unable to keep it out as Swindon equalised.
Orient made further changes, including introducing seasoned pro Darren Pratley, as they looked to regroup and push for the win. Swindon also brought on fresh legs in the form of Tyrece Shade and Ronan Darcy, who were introduced in place of the tired Charlie Austin and Jonny Williams. Leyton Orient continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession, much like the first half, but Swindon looked dangerous on the counter, with Hutton delivering a trademark cross to the back post which Hepburn-Murphy failed to convert.
At the other end, Smyth was causing havoc on the right for Orient, firing a ball across the six yard box which Sol Brynn parried. Despite a sustained period in Swindon’s half, and a couple of half-hearted penalty appeals, Orient failed to create any clear-cut chances, as Swindon held on for an impressive draw against the league leaders in a match many had seen as being out of reach for Jody Morris’ depleted squad.
FULL TIME: Leyton Orient 1 – 1 Swindon
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