Gillingham U18 3 - 2 Leyton Orient U18
Puma Youth Alliance Cup Group Four

ORIENT'S youth team paid the price for a poor first half performance when they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Gillingham on Saturday.

Kevin Nugent's side were always playing catch up after falling behind to Adam Burchell's strike, and despite drawing level twice, they were unable to get their Youth Alliance Cup campaign up and running.

Nugent said: "We were 2-1 down at half-time and it was a very poor peformance in the first half.

"The second half was much better and we got it back to 2-2 before letting it slip.

"Despite the defeat, the second half display was the best we've had this season and we now expect more of the same."

Gillingham's Luke Rooney struck the crossbar with a shot in the opening seconds of the game, but the home side did not have to wait long for the opener with Burchell netting from a corner.

Musa Manneh's spectacular dipping volley brought Orient level, but Burchell scored again before the break to restore Gillingham's lead.

Orient's improvement after the break paid dividends on 55 when Harry Baker drove in an unstoppable drive from 30 yards.

But with an hour gone, Rooney fired home to decisively tip the balance in Gillingham's favour and get Orient's cup campaign off to a losing start.

Orient: Daniel Bygrave; Brandon Martin, Stephen O'Hara, Patrick O'Donnell, Ryan Nelson; Callum O'Shea, Daryl Sydes, Joseph Boakye (Matt Hall 46), Musa Manneh (Harry Baker 46); Adam Bolle, Louis Crowther (Adam Marsh 60)