Football is the cruellest of mistresses. Just when you think you understand her, she whips the carpet from under you and leaves you heartbroken on the floor.
We’ve all been there, feeling on top of the world, thinking everything is coming up trumps and suddenly, you hit a brick wall. At Brisbane Road, a ground that still oozes authenticity and true London football roots, fans were served a topsy-turvy game that even those who love to criticise my optimism would have to admit we deserved something from. Just as it seemed we were going to get what we deserved, Charlie Kelman stabbed us in the heart, leaving us to head up the A1 with nothing but a bit of pride.
Defeat isn’t uncommon – we’ve slipped into the bottom half of the table, and there will be disappointment at that, but it can’t be said that the performance was disappointing. There were plenty of talking points, and in fairness, Orient look a really good side. Bear in mind, they’re one of the sides above us in the budget table (yep, gonna roll that out) and I understand at least one of the players they signed we wanted, but were priced out of. I know we’ve been linked with Randell Williams in the past, and he had a good outing for them. Still, I like what Orient have done, I think Wellens is a good manager and there’s something authentic about them that I respect.
Our team selection was interesting, stepping away from our tried and tested 3-5-2 and going to a conventional 4-4-2. That got Reeco higher up the pitch, and Sam Clucas bagged a start. Tendayi Darikwa’s wife gave birth Friday night so he missed the game, and I understand James Collins was dropped to the bench with fitness in mind, and a Tuesday night game on the horizon. It gave us a bit more of an attacking feel, which was bold, given how Orient were sure to come at us.
It was a good start to the game, both sides playing a bit of football, and they are clearly a well-drilled outfit. Kelman could have given them the lead inside three minutes, but Jeacock was equal to the effort. I imagine the former Birmingham City keeper might have wished his afternoon ended there. Still, one or two of ours really stepped up – Ben House had his best game in a long while, and he was energetic in the opening exchanges.
However, the fact is that when they struck on 17 minutes, we hadn’t actually made an effort. The effort in question is really annoying as well, because it comes from two errors – one by the referee and one by Jeacock. The free kick which led to the goal was never a foul, Makama clearly winning the ball. Then, when it is whipped in, it’s cleverly flicked over the defence and Jeacock just pauses before coming out. That’s all a player like Sonny Perkins needs, and suddenly it’s 1-0 after a decent start.
We did muster an effort on 27 minutes, a deep corner headed over by Ben House, but moments after it was 2-0. Ethan Galbraith – the best player on the park, robbed McGrandles in a good area, jinxed past a couple of players and set up Perkins for a second goal. It looked so easy, and all our decent play and endeavour looked to be worthless, our hopes of taking anything from the game in tatters after two mistakes for two goals. It was angering, frustrating and while at that point Orient’s chances dictated they deserved to lead, I felt we’d been the architects of our own downfall.
At 2-0 down against one of the division’s in-form teams, I feared the worst. We could easily have crumbled, but instead, we rallied. Not once did a head drop, and remember, this is a Lincoln team ravaged by injury and absence. We lacked leaders such as Darikwa and Erhahon, we lacked the pace up top that perhaps Cadamarteri would provide, or maybe even Tyler Walker. It’s not quite bare bones, but we are suffering, and we set up in a relatively unfamiliar formation, with a debutant in midfield. I feared for us and yet we showed a side of us that I feel has, at times, not been evident this season (Shrewsbury and Rotherham spring to mind).
I do like facts, and the fact is we had the ball in the net twice before 45 minutes ticked around, and both were ruled out for offside. The first, on 22 minutes, would have put us level and I’ve watched it back a bit, and can’t see who is offside. I can only imagine it is House as the ball is lofted over the top, because Paudie, who finishes the move, is 100% onside. I know it sparked fury on the bench, given Orient had scored from a dodgy free kick moments before. The second, on the half hour mark, would have got us back into the game at 2-1, but House has strayed slightly offside. If only he’d checked his run for a second, he’d have bagged a great headed goal.
Those efforts don’t count as xG, but one deep into first half stoppage time did. I felt we’d been composed after their goals and we just needed a bit of luck. Hackett, much more effective further up the field, whipped in a deep cross which Paudie directed at goal. Josh Keeley made the save, but could only parry into the path of Lewis Montsma, who rifled in his first goal since returning from injury. It was an emphatic finish from the Dutchman, and it gave us a little bit of something to cling to going into the second half.
I think 2-1 was fair in the first half – they created some decent chances, and at 2-0 perhaps felt they didn’t need to push quite as hard, which let us back in. Football is all ifs and buts, but if the referee doesn’t give the weak free kick against Jovon, maybe we go in at 1-1. Maybe if the second offside goal wasn’t judged as such, it’s 2-1. Fine margins, but however I try to spin it, Orient were good value for a one goal lead.
You must be logged in to post a comment.