Leyton Orient 2 - 0 Yeovil Town
Nationwide League Division Three

ORIENT stormed to their first victory of the season with an impressive performance against Yeovil Town.

The Football League new-boys were beaten by an early Lee Thorpe effort and an unstoppable drive from Matthew Brazier which ended the Glovers' hopes of a comeback.

But the O's were dominant throughout and their tireless work ethic stretched from the goalkeeper Glenn Morris, who exuded confidence, up to the front pairing of Thorpe and Gary Alexander without any exceptions in between.

Paul Brush had reverted to 442 after starting the last two away games with Alexander as the lone striker, and Orient's midfield relished the extra option up front, with both forwards using their physical presence and pace to full advantage.

Orient were almost unsettled as early as the third minute when a cross from the right found Gavin Williams in space. He had time to pick his shot from only seven yards out, but couldn't direct the ball away from Morris and the young 'keeper produced an excellent reflex save.

A counter-attack followed which resulted in a free-kick on the left and Matt Lockwood's delivery was cleared out to Justin Miller who drilled in a low shot.

Thorpe picked the ball up in the six yard box and after working it away from two men and 'keeper Chris Weale, he slotted it home from close range.

The early relief swept through an expectant Brisbane Road crowd and the nerves of the players were calmed too as they settled down to play some fluent football.

Using both wings with equal efficiency and with Brazier and Miller on overdrive in the centre of the park, Orient more than made up for their numerical deficit in midfield as Yeovil employed a wing-back system.

Despite all their possession and neat passing though, chances were not overly forthcoming, with Yeovil's strong centre-back trio keeping their hosts at bay.

At the other end all Morris had to deal with were long balls over the top which the busy figure of Kevin Gall chased in vein or the O's dominant centre-halves, Greg Heald and Billy Jones, cleared away from danger.

Heald, making his first start of the season, was a commanding figure for Orient. His leadership qualities ensured that the back four remained organised and he was unbeatable in the air and powerful on the ground.

And Miller, who had left the defence to accommodate his captain, put in his best showing of the season in the middle, winning the ball and taking it forward positively.

But the star of the show for the O's was Brazier, covering every inch of grass on the field and working with equal effectiveness in both defensive and attacking situations.

On the hour mark he stung Weale's fingers with a drive from 25 yards, and minutes later he was involved in the build up for a move which would have graced a far grander stage.

Alexander, Lockwood and Tom Newey all exchanged one-touch passes on the left wing before Brazier swung in a cross which found Wayne Purser at the far post.

However the winger couldn't apply the touch necessary and he stabbed his shot wide of the post.

Yeovil continued to fight for an equaliser, forcing corners and looking dangerous on occasions, but without any success against the O's back line.

On the one instance that Gall did break free of Heald's attentions, he was unable to beat Morris, who dived low to his left to block the shot from 15 yards as Gall broke through the middle.

That was on 76, and as with the first goal, the O's punished Yeovil for their miss with a clinical finish at the other end just seconds later.

Lockwood and Alexander worked a short corner, and although he mis-controlled the return ball, Lockwood was still able to work the ball across the face of the area to Brazier.

After testing Weale earlier, the midfielder was determined not to come off second best again, and his stinging left-footed shot flew in to the top corner of the net to seal the points.

There was still time for Jackson to send a header over after Gall's cross evaded Morris, but Yeovil were well beaten, and the O's had sent out a danger signal to the rest of the division of what they are capable of producing.

Orient (4-4-2): Morris; Joseph, Heald, B Jones, Lockwood; Purser, Miller, Brazier, Newey; Thorpe, Alexander.
Subs: Hunt for Joseph (79), Ebdon for Purser (79), Harnwell for Newey (89).
Not used: Tate, P Jones.
Goals: Thorpe (4), Brazier (78).
Booked: Lockwood (unsporting behaviour), Brazier (not retreating)
Star Man: Matthew Brazier.

Yeovil (3-5-2): Weale; Lockwood, O'Brien, Pluck; Williams, Johnson, Way, Crittenden, Gosling; Gall, Jackson.
Subs: Rodrigues for O'Brien (14), El Kholti for Gosling (HT), Terry for Crittenden (73).
Not used: Stansfield, Collis.
Star Man: Darren Way.

Ref: Brian Curson (Hertfordshire).
Att: 4431 (936 away).