Leyton Orient 0 - 1 Southend United
Puma Youth Alliance South East Conference

ORIENT'S youth team started 2008 with a narrow defeat at the hands of local rivals Southend United.

The Shrimpers' Rhys Henry struck the only goal with 43 minutes on the clock to settle a tightly-contested game and leave the O's still searching for some consistency.

Following a slow start to the contest, Orient's Adam Marsh had the first shot of the game, driving low across the face of the goal with seven minutes on the clock.

Southend's Stuart O'Keefe looked to catch out home stopper Michael Doyle by shooting instantly after his kick landed with the Shrimpers player.

O'Keefe was 40 yards from goal, but Doyle got back to gather comfortably. Chances remained scarce and Doyle did well to hold Henry down low to his left.

At the other end Tom Kemp sent a free-kick just wide of the mark, but it was Southend who made the breakthrough two minutes before the break.

Richard Priest eventually worked the ball through to Henry, who gave Doyle no chance with his drive from 12 yards.

Orient upped the pressure in the second period and made life more difficult for their visitors.

Adam Bolle forced a good save from Southend stopper Nathan McDonald, while the same player did well to deny Solomon Shields, but Orient could not find a way through and Southend held on for victory.

Orient: Daniel Bygrave; Brandon Martin, Frankie Webb, Patrick O'Donnell, Tom Kemp; Solomon Shields, Jack Page (Harry Baker), Scott Grange, Loick Pires (Henry Atu); Adam Marsh, Adam Bolle