Orient Pick Up Point In First Half Frenzy

Leyton Orient twice led away at Barrow but had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw as the Northerners came back to leave both teams without a win in 7 matches.

In a frenzy of first half activity and goals, four goals were scored in a blistering 22 minute spell that proved excellent entertainment for an attendance of 1,796.

Holker Street saw both teams come out of the traps like lions on laxatives as both keepers were bombarded throughout a frenetic and exciting first half.

O’s striker David Mooney got out of a rut with a first goal in 10 games and the look on his face having notched was that of a man having just won the jackpot on the lottery. The relief was entirely visible and should put him in good stead for the next few games. There’s nothing better than a goal to rocket your confidence.

290 visiting O’s fans saw Barrow and Leyton Orient in a National League match for the first time in their histories and both teams came into the contest with equally dismal runs which continued for both teams as neither could snatch a winner in a comparatively quiet second half.

Steve Davis’ Orient side yet again failed to keep a clean sheet and drop another place down the league and sit precariously in 17th position in the table. Orient now find themselves just five points off the play-off positions and just six points ahead of the bottom four.

There were three changes to the midweek game with starts for Jamie Sendles-White and Joe Widdowson. Matt Harrold was injured with a calf problem so David Mooney came in as replacement while Dan Happe and James Dayton dropped to the bench.

Chris Clement had the first chance for Barrow on 15 minutes but his shot was wide. Orient came immediately into the game and scored the opener when good work from Brophy on the wing found Mooney, and he drilled past Joel Dixon between the Barrow sticks and into the corner.

The O’s couldn’t hold onto the lead for long and reminiscent of last week their opponents were level just four minutes later. Bedsente Gomis with a name like a Mexican furniture store shot past Charlie Grainger in the O’s goal with 23 minutes gone to make it 1-1.

The home team almost took the lead after 25 minutes but Byron Harrison hit the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside after pumping in Alex-Ray Harvey’s free kick.

Two goals and one disallowed in a pulsating six minute period continued just two minutes later when the O’s retook the lead. A Jobi McAnuff free kick caused confusion in the Barrow penalty area and a goalmouth scramble ensued with Clay on hand to shoot into the net.

Orient had more chances but then so did Barrow in a mad first 45 minutes continued and the O’s failed to deal with a cross into the area and Jordan White was on hand to beat Grainger to make it 2 each four minutes before the break.

The second half was more tame and Bonne fired wide, and Clay had a strike too but Barrow managed to regain a foothold in the match with an hour played.

The home team then went close themselves when Jack Barthram’s cross found White, but Grainger saved his header well.

Barrow were suddenly in the ascendancy and Harrison shot wide after excellent play by Hughes and Clement, as the Bluebirds enjoyed a lengthy period of pressure.

Both sides were unable to create a final clear-cut opportunity and so they both had to settle for a point.

Leyton Orient had ended their run of two consecutive defeats, but have now gone seven games without a win going back to September 2nd and their demolition of Guiseley.

When Orient resume their National League campaign on October 21 at home to Macclesfield Town, they wouldn’t have claimed a victory in the division for close to seven weeks. A win is needed.

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