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fan-of-mulligan · 3 years

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FOM BLOG: LEYTON ORIENT 2-0 GILLINGHAM - 2021 / 2022 - PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

My Thoughts On Leyton Orient 2-0 Gillingham - Pre-Season Friendly - 2021 / 2022.

When Leyton Orient had announced there home pre-season friendly fixture against Gillingham, I was actually looking to go to the game because Brisbane Road isn’t far from Leyton Tube Station and this would have been a decent pre-season friendly fixture to go to (especially when Gillingham’s pre-season friendlies against QPR, Peterborough United, Dartford, Ebbsfleet United and Tunbridge Wells were all called off), However, Leyton Orient mentioned on there official website a month ago that there was a cap of 2,000 supporters and no away fans could go to this fixture, and it was only in the past few days where it was announced that Gillingham Supporters could go to Leyton Orient V Gillingham, But by the time that announcement was made, I had already ruled myself out of going to Brisbane Road, And I think quite a few Gillingham Supporters had also had other alternative plans made because away supporters couldn’t go to this fixture.

But whilst I didn’t go to Leyton Orient V Gillingham, I did take up the option of paying just £3 to watch the match on a live-stream, and although I am essentially relying on one camera angle, there was no technical issue’s with this one camera, and all I had to do was create a new account on The Leyton Orient Website, fill in the important details, And I was able to watch the live-stream of our latest pre-season friendly against Leyton Orient.

Eventually, Gillingham’s Team News Appeared On Twitter, And Gillingham Lined Up As Follows………. Aaron Chapman, Harvey Lintott, Christian Maghoma, Max Ehmer, David Tutonda, Stuart O’Keefe, Trialist, Tralist, Olly Lee, Trialist, John Akinde Substitutes: Jamie Cumming (GK), Trialist (GK), Trialist, Jack Tucker, Rhys Bennett, Bailey Akehurst, Sam Gale, Kyle Dempsey, Ben Reeves, Daniel Phillips, Danny Lloyd, Vadaine Oliver and Gerald Sithole - Ryan Jackson, Robbie McKenzie and Alex MacDonald were all not named in the match-day for this latest pre-season friendly against Leyton Orient.

However, I was surprised to see Christian Maghoma start for Gillingham, especially when we have been told from Steve Evans that Christian Maghoma is surplus to requirements, two of the three players on trial in the starting line up we know are Mustapha Carayol and Rob Hall, Because both players played for Gillingham against Millwall On Tuesday Night, I am not sure on who the third player on trial is in the starting line up, But apparently, The Goalkeeper on the bench for Gillingham was Dion-Curtis Henry, who was last playing for Billericay Town In The Conference South.

John Akinde starts for Gillingham, And I thought that John Akinde was going to start for Gillingham when Gillingham sent A Gillingham XI Side Down To Ramsgate On Wednesday Night, John Akinde will get an opportunity to build up his match fitness and match sharpness levels before the season starts with this starting appearance for Gillingham against Leyton Orient, Because with Dominic Samuel and Tyreke Johnson both leaving the football club, Gillingham only have Vadaine Oliver, John Akinde and Gerald Sithole as our attacking options in the first team.

Kenny Jackett was appointed as Leyton Orient Manager in the off season, And Leyton Orient have signed Theo Archibald, Harry Smith, Tom James, Connor Wood and Paul Smyth, But it is the signings of Omar Beckles and Darren Pratley that really stand out for Leyton Orient and although I do think there are more signings to come, Appointing Kenny Jackett as Manager is probably Leyton Orient’s best signing, Because I think Kenny Jackett’s appointment could well see Leyton Orient challenge for a playoff position in League Two This Season.

Both Gillingham and Leyton Orient were out on to the pitch ready and waiting for kick off, I could hear The Gillingham Supporters cheer the players out on to the pitch and a good number of Gills Fans had made the trip to Brisbane Road, despite the short notice that away supporters could go to this fixture, hopefully, those who went to Brisbane Road are rewarded with a decent performance and a decent result - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!!!

FIRST HALF:

Gillingham make a very encouraging start to the match when Mustapha Carayol’s cross from the left side of the pitch in Leyton Orient’s Final Third is charged down by Tom James at the expense of conceding a corner kick, and from the resulting corner kick, Rob Hall whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the far post, which is over-hit, And Max Ehmer was unable to keep the ball in play as the ball goes out of play for A Leyton Orient Throw On in there own final third.

Three Minutes Into The Match, And David Tutonda is penalised for a foul on Ruel Sotiriou, And Leyton Orient have been awarded a free kick in a promising position on the pitch, and from the resulting free kick, Dan Kemp has whipped in a high and hanging cross and Aaron Chapman was able to gather the ball with ease, and from here, Aaron Chapman kicks the ball long down-field, And John Akinde wins the aerial challenge to header the ball down towards Mustapha Carayol, And Mustapha Carayol takes a few touches in possession of the ball, works his way into a shooting position before firing a low effort wide of the far left post - although I do think that Lawrence Vigouroux would had saved Mustapha Carayol’s shot if the shot was on target - but something for Gillingham to work on though.

Six Minutes Into The Match, And Harvey Lintott manages to header Dan Kemp’s dangerous in-swinging cross clear and away from goal, And Stuart O’Keefe is penalised for a foul on Darren Pratley, And Leyton Orient have been awarded a free kick twenty five yards from goal, and from the resulting free kick, Leyton Orient had the chance to open the scoring, Tom James has a fired a fiercely driven effort towards goal which clears Gillingham’s Defensive Wall, but also clears the crossbar as well - I think Aaron Chapman would have had that effort from Tom James covered if that effort on goal was on target.

Eight Minutes Into The Match, And Leyton Orient create another decent goal-scoring opportunity to try and take the lead, Dan Happe kicks a long diagonal cross-field cross towards Ruel Sotiriou, who manages to get to the ball ahead of David Tutonda down the left side of Gillingham’s Penalty Area, And Ruel Sotiriou gets the ball under control and passes the ball back towards Craig Clay, And Craig Clay whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross first time and the player on trial for Leyton Orient headers the ball wide of the far left post - AND THAT WAS THE CHANCE FOR LEYTON ORIENT TO TAKE THE LEAD!!!!!!! - Christian Maghoma and Max Ehmer couldn’t mark the player on trial, but I have to say that the defending from David Tutonda was suspect to allow the cross-field cross from Dan Happe to pick out Ruel Sotiriou inside Gillingham’s Penalty Area.

Ten Minutes Into The Match, And David Tutonda manages to block Craig Clay’s dangerous in-swinging cross and although Aaron Chapman manages to gather the ball, Aaron Chapman was unable to prevent the ball from going behind for A Leyton Orient Corner Kick, And From The Resulting Corner Kick, Dan Kemp whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the far post and Mustapha Carayol headers the ball clear and away from danger at the expense of conceding a corner kick, and from the resulting corner kick, Dan Kemp whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross inside the six yard box and Dan Happe’s flicked header towards goal is headed over the crossbar, but David Tutonda must have got the faintest of touches on the ball to header the ball over, Because Leyton Orient were awarded another corner kick, and from the third corner kick, Dan Kemp whips in another dangerous in-swinging cross, and Christian Maghoma manages to header the ball partially clear and away from goal, and the ball falls fortuitously into John Akinde’s Path outside Gillingham’s Penalty Area, And John Akinde runs forwards in possession of the ball and looks to start a counter attack for The Gills, However, Hector Kyprianou times his challenge to perfection on John Akinde and manages to intercept the ball, Craig Clay then passes the ball out-wide to Dan Kemp down the left side of the pitch in Gillingham’s Final Third, And Dan Kemp whips in a low dangerous in-swinging cross towards the near post, And David Tutonda on the stretch manages to clear the ball out of play for another Leyton Orient Corner Kick.

But it was from this corner kick where Leyton Orient took the lead, Dan Kemp whips in a high and hanging cross towards the far post and there was a mix up between Christian Maghoma and Goalkeeper Aaron Chapman and Dan Happe headers the ball back across the face of goal and Omar Beckles has fired the ball into the far right corner of the net to give Leyton Orient the lead, and both centre back’s have played a crucial role in ensuring that Leyton Orient take the lead - LEYTON ORIENT 1-0 GILLINGHAM.

Terrible mix up between Christian Maghoma and Aaron Chapman which allowed Leyton Orient to take the lead after a succession of corner kicks for the hosts, I do think that regardless of how well he performs for Gillingham against Leyton Orient that Christian Maghoma will be signing for another club in the next few weeks, but defensive error’s like that one, even though it is a combined error from Christian Maghoma and Aaron Chapman, isn’t going to help Christian Maghoma get the move he is hoping for, Because Christian Maghoma will surely be fifth choice centre back behind Jack Tucker, Max Ehmer, Rhys Bennett and Robbie McKenzie, who can play centre back if and when required to do so.

The next attacking opportunity see’s Leyton Orient looking to extend there lead further when Craig Clay almost manages to pick out Ruel Sotiriou with a threaded through-ball which thankfully was over-hit and the ball goes out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And In The Sixteenth Minute Of The Match, Leyton Orient were awarded a free kick when Christian Maghoma is penalised for a foul on Darren Pratley, And Leyton Orient have been awarded a free kick in a promising position on the pitch, and from the resulting free kick, Leyton Orient had the chance to go 2-0 up when Tom James whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Dan Happe’s looping header was comfortably saved by Aaron Chapman.

Nineteen Minutes Into The Match, And Gillingham had a half chance to try and find the equaliser, David Tutonda has possession of the ball for Gillingham in a left / central position on the pitch, And David Tutonda has passed the ball centrally towards Olly Lee, and Olly Lee takes one touch to control the ball and another touch to hit a very tame shot that goes wide of the left hand post - But Lawrence Vigouroux would have had Olly Lee’s shot covered if Olly Lee’s shot towards goal was on target.

Twenty One Minutes Into The Match, And Rob Hall has whipped in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the far post and although Dan Happe wins the initial aerial challenge to prevent John Akinde from getting on to the end of Rob Hall’s cross, Mustapha Carayol had ghosted in at the far post to pull the ball back across the face of goal and John Akinde could not get on the end of Mustapha Carayol’s cross and Rob Hall was penalised for a foul on Connor Wood, And Leyton Orient have been awarded a defensive free kick.

Twenty Two Minutes Into The Match, And Aaron Chapman kicks the ball long down-field and John Akinde has won the aerial challenge to flick the ball on towards Olly Lee, But John Akinde’s header was too long for Olly Lee to get on to the end of, and Lawrence Vigouroux makes a routine save in goal for Leyton Orient, and in the same minute, Ciaran Dickson times his challenge to perfection on Ruel Sotiriou at the expense of conceding a corner kick for Leyton Orient - for reference, Ciaran Dickson was wearing Number 21, Mustapha Carayol Number 14, And Rob Hall Number 25 for the three players on trial for Gillingham - and from the resulting corner kick, Dan Kemp has whipped in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Hector Kyprianou’s header towards goal forced Aaron Chapman to make an important save to keep Gillingham in this match at 1-0 down.

Harvey Lintott was then through on goal down the right side of Leyton Orient’s Penalty Area, But Connor Wood had timed his challenge to perfection and Leyton Orient clear there defensive lines and we’re just starting to see a bit more from Gillingham, Even though Lawrence Vigouroux hasn’t been severely tested in-between the sticks, But In The Twenty Seventh Minute Of The Match, Rob Hall manages to win Gillingham a free kick within shooting territory, and credit must go to Rob Hall, Because there was no passing option available, and to win Gillingham a free kick when it looked very likely that Leyton Orient were going to intercept the ball and hit Gillingham on the counter attack has to be commended, and from the resulting free kick, Olly Lee and Rob Hall were both standing over the ball, And Olly Lee leaves the ball for Rob Hall to hit a curling effort towards goal which Lawrence Vigouroux had to parry away from goal and Leyton Orient manage to get the loose ball clear and away from danger - At least Rob Hall has forced Lawrence Vigouroux to make a save, maybe something for Gillingham to build on throughout the rest of the first half ???

Max Ehmer and David Tutonda have both had to clear the ball out of play for A Leyton Orient Throw On, on one occasion each, as Leyton Orient target the left side of Gillingham’s Defence, and from the third throw on, Tom James long throw for Leyton Orient is flicked on by Omar Beckles and Aaron Chapman is forced to make another save in goal for Gillingham to keep Gillingham in this match at 1-0 down, and Aaron Chapman is forced into action a minute later when Dan Happe’s long ball down-field almost picks out Ruel Sotiriou, but the long ball from Dan Happe is over-hit and runs through to Aaron Chapman.

Aaron Chapman kicks the ball long down-field and John Akinde wins the initial aerial challenge to flick the ball on towards Olly Lee, but John Akinde’s flick on is too long for Olly Lee to get on the end of and the ball goes out of play for A Leyton Orient Goal-Kick, The big problem Gillingham have got is the fact that neither Rob Hall or Mustapha Carayol are getting the ball down and taking players on and giving Leyton Orient something to be concerned about in the wide area’s of the pitch.

Thirty Three Minutes Into The Match, And Leyton Orient are causing Gillingham problems down our left side when Tom James takes on David Tutonda and whips in a dangerous low cross across the face of goal which Ruel Sotiriou cannot get on the end of and the ball goes out of play for A Gillingham Goal-Kick, David Tutonda is struggling at Left Back, But David Tutonda isn’t exactly getting much help from Mustapha Carayol either, And David Tutonda is playing like A Left Wing Back to get higher up the pitch to try and close Tom James down earlier, David Tutonda is going higher up the pitch and Max Ehmer is playing as Centre Back who occasionally has to fill in at Left Back to cover the space in and behind David Tutonda.

Aaron Chapman then kicks the ball long down-field and Omar Beckles is penalised for a push in the back on John Akinde, And Gillingham have been awarded a free kick, much to the delight of The Gillingham Supporters In The Away End who cheered the decision to give Gillingham a free kick, and from the resulting free kick, Gillingham had the chance to score an unlikely equaliser, Mustapha Carayol passes the ball short to Olly Lee out-wide down the left side of the pitch in Leyton Orient’s Final Third, And Olly Lee takes a touch to control the ball before firing in a dangerous low cross which Lawrence Vigouroux was able to save, all be it with some difficulty, Because all it needed was a faint touch off A Gillingham or Leyton Orient Player, And Olly Lee’s dangerous low cross could have ricocheted into the back of the net for 1-1.

But the next passage of play see’s Leyton Orient extend there lead to 2-0, Lawrence Vigouroux passes the ball short to Omar Beckles, And Omar Beckles runs forwards in possession of the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Ruel Sotiriou down the right side of the pitch, And Ruel Sotiriou cuts inside into a more central position on the pitch before passing the ball back towards Craig Clay, And Craig Clay passes the ball out-wide to Tom James, And Tom James takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball square towards Dan Happe, And Dan Happe takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Connor Wood, And Connor Wood passes the ball back towards Dan Happe, And Dan Happe takes a few touches in possession of the ball before passing the ball forwards towards Ruel Sotiriou, And Ruel Sotiriou was being double marked by Rob Hall and Ciaran Dickson, And Dan Kemp is on to the loose ricochet and passes the ball back towards Darren Pratley, And Darren Pratley passes the ball square to Dan Happe, Dan Happe then plays a one / two with Hector Kyprianou before taking a few more touches in possession of the ball and Dan Happe’s squared pass towards Omar Beckles is almost intercepted by John Akinde and Omar Beckles passes the ball square to Darren Pratley, Darren Pratley then runs forwards in possession of the ball before passing the ball back towards Dan Happe, And Dan Happe passes the ball inside centrally towards Hector Kyprianou on the halfway line, And Hector Kyprianou threads a through-ball through to Craig Clay, And Craig Clay manages to retain possession of the ball despite the attempted challenge from Mustapha Carayol, And Craig Clay manages to pick out Connor Wood with a cross-field cross pass down the left side of the pitch, And Connor Wood takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball down the line towards Dan Kemp, And Dan Kemp fires in a first time low cross and the player on trial for Leyton Orient manages to pick out the top right corner of the net with a neat first time finish and Leyton Orient are now winning 2-0 against Gillingham. - LEYTON ORIENT 2-0 GILLINGHAM.

If your A Leyton Orient Supporter, you will be talking about that passage of play and all the passing and movement in the build up to that goal, and rightfully so as well, But I have to say that the defending from Gillingham for that goal was poor, the player on trial for Leyton Orient was quickest to react to Dan Kemp’s low cross to stick the ball into the back of the net, and some of the challenges from a few Gillingham Players was very half hearted indeed, Leyton Orient are celebrating this goal on Twitter, But a bit of prospective is needed, Leyton Orient V Gillingham is only Gillingham’s Fourth First Team Pre-Season Fixture, Rob Hall, Ciaran Dickson and Mustapha Carayol are on trial, Christian Maghoma has hardly featured for Gillingham in pre-season, Although David Tutonda’s performance has been disappointing, David Tutonda has only played for Gillingham against Welling United in pre-season, and you can see how disjointed Gillingham are with a make-shift starting line up.

Look, the goal Gillingham have conceded is poor, the lack of intensity and the lack of putting in any type of challenge to try and disrupt that passing move for Leyton Orient is concerning, and Gillingham are also 2-0 down and we fully deserve to be losing as well, I would be very very concerned if that goal was conceded and Gillingham had Cumming, Jackson, Ehmer, Tucker, O’Keefe, Dempsey, Reeves, Lloyd and Oliver all starting, Because then you can point out that Gillingham have named close to what our starting line up would be against Lincoln City On The Seventh Of August.

Thirty Nine Minutes Into The Match, And Connor Wood has fired in a low dangerous cross and Christian Maghoma on the stretch clears the ball out of play for A Leyton Orient Corner Kick, And From The Resulting Corner Kick, Dan Kemp whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Christian Maghoma and David Tutonda between the two of them manage to clear the ball away from goal, Forty Minutes Into The Match, And Max Ehmer times his challenge to perfection on Ruel Sotiriou at the expense of conceding a corner kick - another error from David Tutonda, who really has struggled for Gillingham in the first half so far - and from the resulting corner kick, Dan Kemp whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the far post and John Akinde headers the ball clear and away from goal, And Gillingham are trying to keep the score-line down to 2-0, and from what we have seen from Gillingham so far in this match, it is looking very unlikely that Gillingham will score against Leyton Orient.

And as we are reaching the closing stages of the first half, David Tutonda tried to pick out John Akinde with a dangerous in-swinging cross and Dan Happe headers the ball clear and out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And Hector Kyprianou manages to whip in a dangerous high and hanging cross and Max Ehmer manages to header the ball clear, But just as we start to reach stoppage time at the end of the first half, Tom James is penalised for a foul on David Tutonda, And Gillingham have been awarded a free kick in a promising position on the pitch, And Gillingham had the chance to half the deficit just before half time, and from the resulting free kick, Mustapha Carayol whips in a high and hanging cross and Dan Happe wins the initial aerial challenge and Darren Pratley clears the ball away from danger and that was the final noteworthy moment of the first half, and the half time score at Brisbane Road Is Leyton Orient 2-0 Gillingham.

HALF TIME: LEYTON ORIENT 2-0 GILLINGHAM

I uploaded the following status update on to Social Media,,,,,,, HALF TIME: LEYTON ORIENT 2-0 GILLINGHAM - Leyton Orient are winning 2-0 at the break with goals from Beckles and a player on trial for Orient, first goal see's a mix up between Maghoma and Chapman from Kemp's cross from a corner, the ball is headed across goal and Beckles scores. And the second goal see's Wood pass the ball down the line towards Kemp, And Kemp has fired in a first time dangerous cross, and the player on trial for Orient scores with a neat first time finish, Leyton Orient have been the much better side in the first half.

Gills started the match with some promise when Carayol wins a corner kick inside a minute, which unfortunately doesn't result in a goal-scoring opportunity, Carayol failed to hit the target with a low effort towards goal. James also fired a free kick over the crossbar for Orient, Leyton Orient then won four corner kicks in a row which resulted in Beckles opening the scoring, Olly Lee's low effort towards goal goes wide of the far post, and Carayol's ball across the face of goal does not pick out Akinde, Chapman saves Beckles Header From Kemp's Cross. 25 saw his shot on goal saved by Vigouroux, And I think Number 25 has been the best player out of the three players on trial who have started for Gillingham Today, Need to see much more from Gillingham in the second half, Because we have not tested Orient Defensively.

First Half Performance has been poor, Gillingham’s Starting Line Up is very disjointed with Rob Hall, Ciaran Dickson and Mustapha Carayol on trial, David Tutonda has really struggled for Gillingham in the first half, But he has hardly played for Gillingham in pre-season, Christian Maghoma starts in defence having not played for Gillingham in any of the previous pre-season matches, and youngster Harvey Lintott started at Right Back, John Akinde is getting no service or support, And Leyton Orient look like a side who have played four or five more pre-season friendlies and there further along in there pre-season preparations.

But the defending for the second goal was very poor, yes, Leyton Orient have had possession of the ball and they will understandably say it’s a great goal, But Gillingham let Leyton Orient keep the ball in Orient’s own final third, still, the lack of intensity and not putting a foot in is something to be concerned about, and we have to see an improvement for Gillingham in the second half, otherwise, Leyton Orient will win this match 5-0, Hopefully, we will see an improved performance and we will see Gillingham get something out of this match against Leyton Orient In The Second Half - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!

SECOND HALF:

Leyton Orient make a substitution at half time when Jayden Sweeney comes on to replace Connor Wood, no substitutions for Gillingham, So my guess is that Gillingham will make wholesale changes either after sixty minutes, or, after sixty five minutes of the match, But one thing we have got to see from the players who started this match is more intensity, more pressure put on to Leyton Orient’s Back-Line, and we need to see more service and support for John Akinde, Because John Akinde has ben on his own in attack for The Gills and hardly had a kick of the ball.

And Gillingham made a encouraging start to The Second Half when Rob Hall’s cross was charged down by Dan Kemp at the expense of conceding a throw on, and from the resulting throw, Harvey Lintott throws the ball short to Ciaran Dickson, And Ciaran Dickson takes a touch to control the ball before passing the ball out-wide to Stuart O’Keefe, And Stuart O’Keefe whips in a low dangerous cross towards John Akinde, And Omar Beckles has cleared the ball out of play for A Gillingham Throw On with a headed clearance, And In The Forty Seven Minute, Jayden Sweeney is penalised for a foul on Olly Lee and Gillingham have been awarded a free kick, which Gillingham do not really create a chance of note from, But Ciaran Dickson manages to win Gillingham a throw on in Leyton Orient’s Final Third, As Gillingham try to give Leyton Orient something to be concerned about defensively, and despite the improved performance at the start of the second half, Gills haven’t tested Lawrence Vigouroux to make a decent save in goal for Leyton Orient.

However, From The Resulting Throw On, Gillingham almost manage to take the lead, Harvey Lintott throws the ball down the line and as the ball bounces high off the turf, Olly Lee does exceptionally well to keep the ball in play by hooking the ball across the face of goal and Tom James chests the ball down before sliding in to desperately clear the ball off the goal-line, And Tom James almost scores an own goal for Leyton Orient, And 2-1 down would have brought Gillingham back into this match.

Fifty Minutes Into The Match, And Tom James’s dangerous in-swinging cross was headed clear by Christian Maghoma just when it looked likely that Ruel Sotiriou was going to get on the end of Tom James’ Cross and Jayden Sweeney was penalised for fouling Mustapha Carayol and Gillingham have been awarded a free kick, which just relieves the pressure building on to our own goal, And From The Resulting Free Kick, Ciaran Dickson tries to thread a through-ball through to John Akinde which John Akinde almost gets on to the end of, But Lawrence Vigouroux was able to gather the ball, all be it, with some difficulty, And In The Fifty Second Minute Of The Match, Max Ehmer kicks the ball long down-field and Omar Beckles wins the initial aerial challenge up against John Akinde, and as the ball drops back down from the air, Rob Hall has smashed a fiercely driven effort towards goal which hits the top of The North Stand - A Ambitious Effort Towards Goal From Rob Hall - Who I have to say is probably the best performing player out of the three players on trial for The Gills.

Fifty Three Minutes Into The Match, And Max Ehmer’s Long Ball Towards John Akinde was saved by Lawrence Vigouroux, And both Omar Beckles and Dan Happe have comfortably dealt with the threat from Akinde, mostly because John Akinde has been isolated and Olly Lee, Rob Hall and Mustapha Carayol haven’t got close to John Akinde to provide him with service or support, But In The Fifty Fifth Minute Of The Match, Gillingham were awarded a free kick when Darren Pratley had gone into the back of John Akinde, And Gillingham have the chance to create a decent goal-scoring opportunity here, and from the resulting free kick, Olly Lee whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross low towards the far post, and neither Mustapha Carayol or Max Ehmer can either direct the ball towards goal or direct the ball across the face of goal to pick out a team-mate, and the ball has gone out of play for A Leyton Orient Goal-Kick - I actually thought that Mustapha Carayol was in a great position to header the ball towards goal and that was the chance for Gillingham to get themselves back into this match at 2-1 down.

And In The Fifty Ninth Minute Of The Match, Gillingham had half hearted appeals for a penalty kick turned down, Gillingham have a throw on down the left side of the pitch and David Tutonda throws the ball long down the line towards Olly Lee, And Olly Lee wins the aerial challenge to header the ball inside Leyton Orient’s Penalty Area and Rob Hall is challenged by Jayden Sweeney, And Rob Hall does go down to the deck inside Gillingham’s Penalty Area, and despite the penalty appeal from John Akinde, play continue’s with Leyton Orient in possession of the ball - My first reaction was no penalty, had I been in the away end and seen that challenge from Jayden Sweeney from a different angle, I might have thought differently.

The game was just starting to break up with Stuart O’Keefe both winning and conceding a free kick, And David Tutonda has kicked two long balls down-field which was comfortable for Lawrence Vigouroux to deal with, Leyton Orient then bring on Theo Archibald for the player on trial in The Sixty Second Minute, And In The Sixty Third Minute, Harvey Lintott is penalised for a foul on Dan Kemp, And Leyton Orient have been awarded a free kick, and from the resulting free kick, Dan Kemp has whipped in a dangerous low cross and Aaron Chapman has gathered Dan Kemp’s low cross with some difficulty.

Sixty Seven Minutes Into The Match, And Max Ehmer comes across to block Ruel Sotiriou’s attempted cross at the expense of conceding a corner kick, and from the resulting corner kick, Tom James whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Christian Maghoma manages to header the ball clear and away from danger, and Leyton Orient are penalised for a foul on Ciaran Dickson, And Gillingham have been awarded a free kick.

Seventy Minutes Into The Match, And Gillingham make nine substitutions with Danial Phillips, Rhys Bennett, Danny Lloyd, Vadaine Oliver, Kyle Dempsey, Gerald Sithole, Nathan Akehurst, Ben Reeves, And Goalkeeper Dion Henry coming on to replace Aaron Chapman, Rob Hall, Ciaran Dickson, Mustapha Carayol, David Tutonda, Olly Lee, Max Ehmer, John Akinde and Harvey Lintott - I actually thought that Jamie Cumming had come on for Aaron Chapman and the mention of a player on trial coming on might have been an error from Gillingham’s Official Twitter Account.

Christian Maghoma and Stuart O’Keefe are both still on the pitch, Stuart O’Keefe is filling in at Right Back after the nine substitutions, And once play had resumed, Leyton Orient were awarded a free kick, and from the resulting free kick, Theo Archibald’s through-ball almost manages to pick out Ruel Sotiriou, But Dion Henry was quick off his line to make the important save to keep Gillingham in this match at 2-0 down, But despite being 2-0 down, Christian Maghoma and Kyle Dempsey have both had to make important clearances to knock the ball out of play for Leyton Orient Throw On’s, And Leyton Orient have this match precisely where they want it, with the ball going out of play and the match being broken up so that Gillingham cannot grab a foot-hold of the remaining minutes in this match.

Gillingham then win a few throw on’s in quick succession, With Stuart O’Keefe throwing the ball short to Daniel Phillips, And Daniel Phillips short pass back out-wide to Stuart O’Keefe being over-hit and the ball goes out of play for A Leyton Orient Throw On, Now Gillingham have just made nine substitutions, But that return pass from Daniel Phillips was very poor, Stuart O’Keefe playing at Right Back because Ryan Jackson and Robbie McKenzie are both injured does highlight the lack of options Gillingham have got at Right Back, even though Harvey Lintott, Robbie McKenzie and Rhys Bennett can all play at Right Back to provide cover for Ryan Jackson.

In The Seventy Sixth Minute Of The Match, Leyton Orient had the chance to go 3-0 up, and put this match well and truly beyond Gillingham’s Grasp, Jayden Sweeney runs forwards in possession of the ball for Leyton Orient Into Gillingham’s Half Of The Pitch, And Jayden Sweeney continue’s his run forwards roughly twenty five yards from goal before passing the ball out-wide to Theo Archibald, And Theo Archibald fires in a dangerous low cross first time and Rhys Bennett on the stretch manages to divert the ball out of play for A Leyton Orient Corner Kick, And had Rhys Bennett not made that clearance, then Ruel Sotiriou would have surely scored for 3-0, and from the resulting corner kick, Dan Kemp whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the near post and Rhys Bennett manages to header the ball clear and away from danger.

Seventy Eight Minutes Into The Match, And Kyle Dempsey is penalised for a foul on Dan Kemp, And Leyton Orient have been awarded a free kick within shooting territory here, and from the resulting free kick, Dan Kemp’s driven effort towards goal crashes against Gillingham’s Wall and Rhys Bennett then completes the clearance heading the ball further away from goal.

In The Eightieth Minute Of The Match, Leyton Orient make another substitution as Josh Clarke comes on to replace Dan Kemp, And Dan Kemp has been superb throughout this entire match for Leyton Orient, and when play resumes, Leyton Orient have the chance to go 3-0 up, Theo Archibald manages to shrug off the attempted challenge from Stuart O’Keefe before running inside into a more central area of the pitch, And Theo Archibald passes the ball inside centrally to Craig Clay, And Craig Clay takes a touch to control the ball before running forwards in possession of the ball, And Craig Clay’s driven effort towards goal goes comfortably wide of the far left post, But Leyton Orient are trying things, they look the more likely side to add to the score-line, And I think Gillingham are resigning themselves to defeat.

Leyton Orient are trying to stretch Gillingham in the wide area’s when Craig Clay’s Pass towards Josh Clarke goes out of play for a throw, and Jayden Sweeney’s pass towards Hector Kyprianou also goes out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, Stuart O’Keefe is then penalised for as foul on Darren Pratley In The Eighty Third Minute, And From The Resulting Free Kick, Theo Archibald’s dangerous low cross is saved by Dion Henry In The Gillingham Goal.

Gillingham then had a rare attacking opportunity when Danny Lloyd worked his way towards the byline, And Danny Lloyd has whipped in a high looping cross and Lawrence Vigouroux takes no chances and tips the ball over the crossbar, and Gillingham have been awarded a corner kick, and from the resulting corner kick, Gillingham had a half chance to get themselves on to the score-sheet, Ben Reeves whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross and Christian Maghoma hasn’t connected with the cleanest of connections on the ball, And Christian Maghoma’s half connected effort towards goal goes wide of the far left post.

Vadaine Oliver is then penalised for a high foot and Vadaine Oliver hasn’t got into this match at all for Gillingham, This is particularly concerning because Vadaine Oliver hasn’t really got into either of our previous two pre-season friendlies against Millwall and Leyton Orient, And you just wonder without Jordan Graham, and the lack of attacking options Gillingham have got in there first team squad, How many goals will Vadaine Oliver score for Gillingham throughout The 2021 / 2022 Season ??? - Hopefully, Gillingham can sign 2-3 attacking players to really strengthen Gillingham’s Options in the final third.

Ninety Minutes Into The Match, And Christian Maghoma almost makes a dreadful error which almost see’s Leyton Orient have the chance to extend there lead further to 3-0, And in the next attacking opportunity, Gillingham were pushing for a consolation goal as Danial Phillips whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards Vadaine Oliver which Dan Happe manages to header clear and out of play for A Gillingham Throw On, And From The Resulting Throw On, Nathan Akehurst throws the ball down the line towards Gerald Sithole, And Gerald Sithole lays the ball off towards Danny Lloyd, And Danny Lloyd whips in a dangerous in-swinging cross towards the far post and Omar Beckles and Jayden Sweeney between the two of them manage to get the ball clear and away from danger.

And the last noteworthy moment of the match see’s Dan Happe’s long ball down-field run all the way through to Dion Henry, and after a few minutes of additional time were played, Referee Craig Hicks blew the full time whistle, and the full time score at Brisbane Road in what can only be described as a one sided pre-season friendly fixture was Leyton Orient 2-0 Gillingham.

FULL TIME: LEYTON ORIENT 2-0 GILLINGHAM

I uploaded the following status update on to Social Media after full time,,,,,,,, FULL TIME: LEYTON ORIENT 2-0 GILLINGHAM - Gillingham put in a improved performance in the second half and gave Leyton Orient a much sterner test, But based from what I saw throughout the ninety minutes, Leyton Orient deserved to win, And Kemp was a player who impressed me today. Gillingham almost equalised when Lee's cross by the byline hits James And James had to clear the ball off the goal-line, 25 for Gillingham fails to hit the target with an ambitious effort towards goal, And 25 was probably the best player out of the three trial players who started.

Olly Lee's cross from a free kick towards the far post almost manages to pick out one of Ehmer or Carayol, But the ball has gone out of play for A Leyton Orient Goal Kick, Chapman saves a dangerous low cross from Kemp, Ehmer blocks Sotiriou's attempted pull-back out for a corner. Bennett on the stretch clears another dangerous cross out for A Leyton Orient Corner Kick, Clay's effort towards goal from twenty five yards out fails to hit the target. Lloyd's cross had to be tipped over by Vigouroux, and from the resulting corner kick, Reeves whips in a cross and Maghoma's half struck effort fails to hit the target.Gillingham need to sign a few players with pace in the final third, to give us something different in attack.

I actually thought that Jamie Cumming was in goal for Gillingham and not a goalkeeper on trial, And as for Dion Henry playing in goal for Gillingham against Leyton Orient, If Dion Henry is happy to sign for Gillingham as our third choice goalkeeper, And Gillingham signing Dion Henry doesn’t prevent Gillingham from strengthening in other area’s of the pitch, then I would sign Dion Henry, or, someone else to be our third choice goalkeeper, I just think that Gillingham need someone to provide cover and competition for Jamie Cumming and Aaron Chapman, plus, signing a third choice goalkeeper means that Gillingham do not have to rely on the emergency loan goalkeeper window should Cumming or Chapman pick up an injury - I just think back to the number of goalkeepers Gillingham had to sign on loan when Kelvin Jack was essentially injured for the entire 2006 / 2007 Season as to why Gillingham need to have at least two, ideally, three professional goalkeepers at the football club.

Ryan Jackson, Robbie McKenzie and Alex MacDonald were all not involved with the first team squad, And with Ryan Jackson and Robbie McKenzie unlikely to play against Norwich City On Tuesday Night, Rhys Bennett will most likely start at Right Back For Gillingham against Lincoln City on the opening day of the season, it would be difficult to throw young Harvey Lintott into his full league debut against Lincoln City, and Rhys Bennett’s experience will probably be preferred whilst Bennett will provide cover for Jackson’s absence due to injury.

As for the three players on trial, Ciaran Dickson, Mustapha Carayol and Rob Hall, were the three players who started for Gillingham, I cannot see Gillingham signing Mustapha Carayol, Because Mustapha Carayol just hasn’t got the pace that we want to see from a wide player, and the lack of pace was very evident against Leyton Orient, Rob Hall was probably the best performing player out of the three, And I am not sure about Ciaran Dickson, The Young Midfielder may well be highly rated at Rangers, But Gillingham have got Ben Reeves, Kyle Dempsey, Stuart O’Keefe, Alex MacDonald, Olly Lee, Danny Lloyd, Danial Phillips, and Robbie McKenzie and David Tutonda can cover in midfield if required to do so, And Henry Woods has been sent out on loan to Dover Athletic Until January, I just think that Gillingham can do with two or even three strikers, a pace wide player, And A First Choice Left Back before looking to sign another central midfielder.

I would like to see Gillingham also sign a third choice goalkeeper, but that’s a signing Gillingham need to make after all of our transfer business has been concluded, As for other players on trial, It appears that Connor Ogilvie was a unused substitute for Gillingham against Leyton Orient, And with news just breaking that Connor Ogilvie is close to signing for Portsmouth, then Gillingham’s very very slim chances of signing Connor Ogilvie have all but been extinguished, I always thought it was going to be a long shot for Gillingham to re-sign Connor Ogilvie, But this latest announcement that Connor Ogilvie is signing for Portsmouth is still devastating news, even if that news was expected.

Christian Maghoma is one player who is surplus to requirements at Gillingham Football Club, I just think that Rhys Bennett, Jack Tucker, Max Ehmer and Harvey Lintott are ahead of him in the pecking order, And Steve Evans might sign versatile centre back who can play in midfield to be Gillingham’s Fourth Choice Centre Back, I don’t think Christian Maghoma’s performance for Gillingham against Leyton Orient was going to see Maghoma in Steve Evans plans for this coming season, and Maghoma will leave before the transfer window slams shut to play first team football elsewhere - And I do wish Christian Maghoma all the best where-ever he ends up next.

Gillingham are going to have move quickly to bring in reinforcements before the season starts on The Seventh Of August, And If Gillingham were to sign A First Choice Left Back to replace Connor Ogilvie, A First Choice Right Winger to replace Jordan Graham, Two Strikers with pace, with one of the two strikers capable of playing anywhere in the front four, and a versatile utility player, I think most Gillingham Supporters would be happy with that business, and those five signings would bring Gillingham’s First Team Squad Up To Twenty Six Players, But With Christian Maghoma very likely to leave and Henry Woods out on loan, Gillingham’s first team squad would actually be twenty four players, But Steve Evans has been hinting at a first team squad of twenty or twenty one first team players, So time will tell on Gillingham’s Squad Size for this coming season.

If your looking for prospective and silver linings, then Gillingham have only played four first team pre-season friendlies and the team that lost against Leyton Orient for the most part won’t be the team that starts for Gillingham against Lincoln City on the opening day of the season, no injuries sustained in this fixture as well, But Ryan Jackson, Robbie McKenzie and Alex MacDonald not playing is a concern, and Vadaine Oliver largely being anonymous in the last two matches is also another concern, Leyton Orient fully deserved there win against Gillingham and Dan Kemp was probably the best player on the pitch as well.

I do think there are quite a few things to be concerned about, not all doom or gloom, But you can see area’s of the squad that need to be strengthened before the transfer window slams shut, and if Gillingham were to make those five signings mentioned above before the opening day of the season, there would be more optimism amongst The Gillingham Supporters, And this friendly against Leyton Orient has given us supporters clear idea’s on where the squad needs to be strengthened, and the lack of attacking options was there for all to see, and the lack of pace was particularly concerning, Another concern was just how superior Leyton Orient were and Gillingham were second best, our lack of pre-season friendlies can be taken into consideration, But that first half performance was very poor.

I would like to see Gillingham sign a third choice goalkeeper to provide additional cover and competition for Aaron Chapman and Jamie Cumming, I just think that Gillingham need to have three goalkeepers and to ensure that we do not have to rely on the emergency loan goalkeeper window if Jamie Cumming or Aaron Chapman were to pick up an injury, If Gillingham don’t have the finances available to sign a third choice goalkeeper, then at the very least, promote Tommy Crump from the youth team into the first team as our third keeper.

Not the performance or result we wanted or needed with just under a week to go before the start of the season, but maybe Steve Evans and Paul Raynor have seen what we have seen from this friendly and we’re in the closing stages to making quite a few signings before Gillingham take on Lincoln City before the season starts on The Seventh Of August, I couldn’t make it to Brisbane Road because of short notice on away ticket allocation, I am not going to Norwich City V Gillingham, But I am sure that everyone will be there when Gillingham play against Lincoln City on the opening day of the season - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!

#Gillingham #LeytonOrient #Football

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