Leyton Orient 3 - 3 Southend United
Football League Youth Alliance South East Conference
LOUIS CROWTHER bagged a hat-trick but it still wasn't enough for the O's to claim their first league victory of the season as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Southend United.
Crowther's treble looked set to give the O's youngsters all three points when they led 3-1, but the Shrimpers came back to frustrate the hosts.
Youth team boss Andy Edwards said: "It was one of our best performances this season and we should have won the game comfortably.
"Dan Bygrave has only made one comfortable save all game, but we've conspired to concede three goals and we're still looking for that elusive win.
"But there were lots of positives to take from a dominant performance against last year's league winners and hopefully we can learn from the experience."
Orient tried to play their football on a difficult surface and they were rewarded for a bright start when Crowther finished following a good run from Moses Odubajo.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Harry Crawford produced a stunning 25-yard volley to haul Southend level.
The O's continued to knock the ball around and moved back into the lead six minutes before the interval when Crowther received the ball from Elliott Babbs, shielded possession and hooked home from 12 yards.
Orient's play was disrupted by losing the influential Michael Richardson to an injury following a heavy challenge on him in midfield, but they still added a third after the break when Crowther took advantage of a defensive mix-up to complete his hat trick.
It looked as though it would be enough to hand Orient their first victory of the campaign, but they couldn't deal with the physical presence of Shrimpers sub Duane Ofon-Acheampong and his two goals meant the points would be shared.
His first came as he rose unchallenged to score from a set play and the equaliser arrived ten minutes from time as he converted a cross from the right wing.
Orient: Dan Bygrave; Sam Konway, Elliott Babbs, Cestor Mike, Ryan Nelson; Moses Odubajo, Joe Boakye, Michael Richardson (Stephen O'Hara 35), Musa Manneh; Louis Crowther (Chris Benjamin 75 (Callum Compton 85))
Subs: Thomas Lovelock (GK)
