The start of a new era in E10 with new owners,  a new manager in former Crewe man, Steve Davis and a brand new squad. There was finally some renewed optimism after the grey cloud had  been lifted in June. First up Sutton United away  in front of the TV Cameras, the sense of an opening day shock. The surprise package of the FA Cup the season before against a team recently relegated. The O’s were a brand new team, short of fitness, slotted together in the matter of weeks and it showed. Given a lesson in what National League football is all about physical, direct and hard working. Battering rain, a 4G pitch all played their part in a 2-0 defeat on opening day.

The return to Brisbane Road after the shenanigans of the pitch invasion at the back end of last season where Solihull Moors were the visitors. The realisation of Orient were now playing in the fifth tier. Newly appointed Captain Charlie Lee grabbed Orient’s first ever National League Goal before the returning David Mooney netted his first Orient goal in 3 years. George Elokobi netted Orient’s third to give them their first victory in the National League.

Maidstone United were next to visit Brisbane Road, probably one of the loudest contingent of away fans all season. In the August sun, Orient’s new side was starting to click with James Dayton crossing for Mooney to head the opener. Orient made it back to back victories when Romauld Boco (remember him?) slid home the second.

Bromley away, the less said about this one the better. A team littered with ex Orient players and you could sense the inevitable was coming when George Porter nodded Bromley ahead. Another 4G pitch, another defeat, this one heavy, and the goals kept flooding in the O’s goal. A night to forget in South East London where reality said in that Orient still have a lot of work to do.  The only plus, striker MacAuley Bonne grabbed his first O’s goal.

The games kept on coming and a trip to Woking was next. A rather drab first half was lit up when Orient’s right hand side linked up once more. Jake Caprice’s cross was bundled home by Bonne, who later wrapped up victory with a individual effort.

Eastleigh at home was the first in an August Bank Holiday double, after skipper Charlie Lee was ruled out for much of the season after his ACL injury in training, Orient fell behind to a first half penalty. With Graham Stack’s continual time wasting and goading the South Stand, he got what he deserved when Craig Clay squeezed home a 97th minute equaliser, signalling every O’s fans to direct words at him.

Maidenhead away the last of what was an action packed month. In the summer sun, well it was bloody hot in that away end with the temperatures rising after the O’s fans celebrated Bonne’s opener. One of the contender for goal of the season, a lovely turn by Dayton on the right, a cross which Bonne flicked into the far corner, ending with a romantic moment between the pair.

A defensive display to be proud of, every O’s player put their bodies on the line, grabbing three precious points to end the month on a high. A month with up’s and downs but the club was finally back with good times, how long would that last?