Leyton Orient 3 - 1 Tonbridge Angels
FA Youth Cup Round One

FIRST-HALF goals from Tom Ziepe and Jason Demetriou together with a Brian Saah (pictured) effort after the interval ensured the O's youngsters a comfortable passage into the FA Youth Cup second round where they will travel to meet AFC Bournemouth.

Both teams opted for a 4-4-2 system but it was the home side that cut out the early running with Demetriou and Aidan Palmer asking early questions of the Angels defence.

Although Orient controlled the majority of play, the visitors did test goalkeeper Clark Johnson early on who showed good alertness to deny Tom Reeves as the striker broke clear of his marker.

As the pattern of play became established, the pace of Scott Wallis and Derek Duncan began to cause increasing problems for the plucky opposition defence and it was no more than Orient deserved when they opened their account after 29 minutes when Duncan collected a clearance from the Tonbridge defence and found Ziepe who curled a splendid left-footed shot past the keeper from 20 yards.

The O's squandered a number of opportunities to extend their advantage until they gained a second breakthrough on 44 minutes when Demetriou raced onto a superb pass from Saah and his teasing cross was turned into his own net by Lee Hamilton.

The visitors went in search of an early goal with striker Kevin Carpenter shooting wide of the target but with Joe O'Cearuill in commanding form, their opportunities were limited.

Orient responded with Saah and Ziepe going close but on 52 minutes, they killed the game as a contest with a delightful move that saw Duncan cross perfectly for Saah to drill home from close range.

Enjoying plenty of possession, Orient continued to dominate without creating too many obvious chances and the hard-working visiting side gained a consolation goal on 84 minutes when Bryan Glover's late challenge on substitute Alex McEwan allowed Reeves to convert the resultant penalty-kick.

It was though a satisfying, well-deserved victory for Orient in this competition restricted to under 18's that saw the home side name three 16 year-olds on the substitutes bench.

Afterwards, O's caretaker youth team manager Gary Karsa gave his players due credit stating: "I thought we were deserved winners and some of our play was excellent.

"Once we settled down, we established our composure and after taking the lead with a superb strike from Tom Ziepe, we retained our discipline and kept trying to pass the ball around well.

"Not only did our side play well as a team but it's also about how individuals play and we had some good performances out there with players working hard for each other.

"Credit to Tonbridge because they made sure that things were never going to be easy for us and they deserved their late consolation goal as reward for their hard work."

Leyton Orient: Clark Johnson; Bryan Glover, Joe O'Cearuill, Daniel Glozier, Aidan Palmer (Jamal Fyfield 81); Jason Demetriou, Brian Saah, Tom Ziepe, Derek Duncan; Scott Wallis, Nuno Gourgel (Rafael Sylvester 65).
Not Used: Easton Davis.

Tonbridge Angels: Shayne Goldsmith; Richard Cole, Richard Shaw, Lee Hamilton, Louis Smith; Matt Hollyoak (Matt Crane 55), Michael Cramp, Ian Parkes (Neil Davies 65), Elliott Everson Alex McEwan 48); Kevin Carpenter, Tom Reeves.
Not Used: Joe Brookman, Adam Davies.

Referee: C.Overall

Report by Paul Hiscock