Leyton Orient U18 3 - 2 Gillingham U18
Puma Youth Alliance South-East Conference

ORIENT'S youth team made the perfect start to their Puma Football League Youth Alliance campaign by beating Gillingham at Brisbane Road on Saturday.

With their usual Ive Farm venue not quite ready, Orient switched the fixture to their main stadium and the youngsters responded by producing a match-winning performance.

Midfielder Harry Beautyman gave them a first half lead, while Adam Marsh doubled the advantage in the second half.

Gillingham pulled one back through Luke Rooney, but Adam Bolle struck to restore Orient's two-goal advantage.

Callum Day headed home with ten minutes to go to make Orient sweat, but they held on for an excellent three points.

Youth team manager Kevin Nugent said: "It was a good result for us.  Playing at Brisbane Road was an excellent experience for the team and it was pleasing to start with a win.

"We had a lot of injuries, so there were players being played out of position but they did well and it's good to start with a win.

"We will be looking for better performance individually and collectively as the season goes on, but that was a pleasing start."

Orient: Jack Giddens; Stephen O'Hara, Patrick O'Donnell, Josh Millwood (Ciaran Folan), Brandon Martin; Joseph Boakye (Jake Argent), Harry Beautyman, Daryl Sydes, Musa Manneh (Louis Crowther); Adam Marsh, Adam Bolle