First half goals from midfielder George Cooper and defender Harry Davis helped Crewe to their first win in seven games. Cooper fired home from just outside the penalty area following a poor clearance from O’s defender Jens Janse. Crewe could have doubled their lead by Alex Kiwonya’s shot was cleared off line by Tom Parkes however Kiwonya cross just before half time found the unmarked Davis who slotted home. Orient struggled to create going forward seeing them fall to their seventh home defeat in eight league games and fall to second bottom of the football league for the first time since September 2003.

Following their away win at Hartlepool, O’s manager Alberto Cavasin named an unchanged side continuing with Jordan Bowery and Ollie Palmer in attack. While Sandro Semedo had recovered from a knock suffered last weekend to start on the left wing.

Orient’s starting 11

Crewe who were without a win since mid September made one change from the side that lost 1-0 at home to Yeovil last weekend. Billy Bingham dropped to the bench with James Jones coming into midfield. Captain Ryan Lowe was passed fit to start in attack partnered by Orient old boy Chris Dagnall.

Crewe Starting 11

Orient who have been trying to play football on the ground since Cavasin’s arrival in October started well looking to switch play across the pitch. Callum Kennedy saw a free kick sail safely into the arms of Crewe keeper Ben Garratt from 35 yards. But despite Orient having more possession they failed to test the Crewe keeper with the majority of their crosses into the box being over hit.

Crewe highlighted the danger they posed to Orient’s backline when Chris Dagnall was played in behind Orient’s backline but his left foot shot was parried away by Alex Cisak. Crewe were growing into the game with George Cooper, Ryan Lowe, Dagnall and Alex Kiwonya all linking well in attacking areas. The Railwaymen took the led just after the hlf hour mark when left back Zoumana Bakayogo never gave up on a ball down the left wing. His cross was poorly cleared by Jens Janse to George Cooper who was unmarked in acres of space in the box and he duly fired Crewe ahead.

Crewe grew in confidence from the goal and it was the front four again linking up. Cooper who tricked his way to the byline but his cross was just in front of Lowe and Dagnall in the box. The ball fell to Kiwonya at the back post but his goal bound shot was blocked on line by Tom Parkes preventing Crewe doubling their lead.

However Crewe did double their advantage just before the break, Kiwonya who cut back on his right foot crossed into the box, finding the unmarked Harry Davis who slotted underneath Cisak.

Cavasin made an immediate change after the break bringing on new signing Michael Collins for Jordan Bowery as Orient moved to a 4-5-1 system. Collins was signed on a deal till January on Friday and was involved in Orient’s first chance of the game. Collins ball found Palmer who fought his way through down the right but his near post shot was beaten away by Garratt. Tom Parkes headed the proceeding corner wide.

Crewe were finding it easy to defend against Orient’s labored play in midfield sitting in two banks of four and making Orient do the running.  Jay Simpson and Ulrich Nnomo were brought on late in the second half to try and impact the game. The substitutions were met with boos and calls of “you don’t know what you are doing” from the home crowd when Nigel Atangana was substituted.

Nnomo was involved straight away with his cross falling to Robbie Weir on the edge of the box but his shot sailed over the bar. Nnomo was then stretchered off with a leg injury as Orient finished with ten men having made all of their changes. Crewe could have put the icing on the cake when Dagnall robbed Parkes of possession, his cross found substitute Billy Bingham who’s goal bound shot was brilliantly tipped over Cisak.

Orient falling to their seventh defeat in eight games as their slide towards the Football League is quickly approaching. Orient going forward, well what can you say really, two attempts: one a free kick from 35 yards and one an easy save at the near post. That is all Orient created going forward and care to explain to me how Nigel Atangana was taken off and Robbie Weir kept his place on the pitch. 

Atangana one of the only players to have energy in their play and look to create going forward while I would love to see the stats of Robbie Weir’s ball retention stats as he seems always to give the ball away. According to Cavasin he could have taken any of the midfielders off but he took our best one off with Weir just about treading water in the midfield.

Not much to say more than that really, and with the failure to mark any opposition player in the box continued to be a constant tactic employed by Orient. First Cooper left unmarked in the box and fired home from inside the box. Second, Kiwonya (a man who cuts back on his right foot) which he was allowed to do to supply Davis who walked unmarked in to the box (well it seems like every opposition player can do that) to slot hom number two. That was it game over at home.

A few statistics for you:

Home record since Bechetti appointment as Chariman:

P51  W17  D10  L27  F68  A76

• Orient have lost their last 12 matches when they have conceded first at home
• They have failed to score or level the match in eight of those games – scoring just 4 goals
• Orient cannot break down a side at home when they have fallen behind
• Orient have failed to score in 18 of the last 32 home games conceded first
• Orient have lost 25 of their last 31 games conceding first

Orient sit in their lowest league position since 27 Sepetember 2003 after their defeat to Huddersfield Town