Leyton Orient 1-0 Stevenage – 27/03/2025

KELMAN THE DIFFERENCE AS ORIENT EDGE PAST STEVENAGE

Charlie Kelman’s 12^th minute header was enough to move Leyton Orient within two points of the League One playoffs as The O’s recorded their first win over Stevenage at Brisbane Road since 2016.

Manager Richie Wellens watched from the stands as his side mustered just three attempts on goal, but it proved enough as Orient secured a vital win following the international break.

Orient started brightly, with top scorer Charlie Kelman forcing an early error from Stevenage goalkeeper Murphy Cooper inside the opening 90 seconds, though the visitors managed to scramble clear.

A flurry of Orient corners followed as Dan Agyei’s curling effort was deflected wide by Charlie Goode, and moments later, Agyei turned provider for Jordan Brown, whose low strike clipped Goode’s heel and crept wide.

It was from the latter that Orient deservedly broke the deadlock 12 minutes in. Sean Clare did well to recycle a corner and his first time cross was deftly flicked into the bottom corner off the head of Kelman for his 15th League One goal of the season.

It took until the 33rd minute for Stevenage to register their first attempt on goal. Eli King's free-kick fell to former Orient midfielder Dan Kemp, but his low strike was well blocked by Rarmani Edmonds-Green.

This seemed to spark Stevenage into life and Alex Revell’s side enjoyed a spell of pressure leading up to the interval but Josh Keeley remained untroubled.

The final chance of the half came two minutes before the break as Wycombe loanee Brandon Hanlan broke into the Orient box, but no Stevenage player was on the end of his low cross and the hosts went into the break a goal to the good.

HALF TIME – LEYTON ORIENT 1-0 STEVENAGE

Revell remained in deep discussion with his coaching staff in the away dugout well into the half-time interval, and any tactical tweaks seemed to pay off as Stevenage continued to get a foothold in the encounter.

The visitors mustered their best chance of the game just before the hour mark. A loose backpass from Clare played Kemp in behind, but his cross was too heavy for the unmarked Jamie Reid at the back post.

Moments later, Stevenage threatened again as Carl Piergianni flicked on a long throw, but Hanlan's volleyed effort flew just wide of the post.

Wellens was becoming increasingly animated high up in the Justin Edinburgh Stand, and his side survived another scare as substitute Elliott List rolled in Reid, but his strike could only find the side netting from a tight angle.

Orient failed to muster an attempt on goal following Kelman’s opener and were almost made to pay as the game approached the 90-minute mark. Kemp’s tricky win play picked out substitute Harvey White, but his volley was batted away by Josh Keeley.

Seven minutes of stoppage time saw sustained pressure from Stevenage, and in the dying seconds Keeley was called into action once more, making a sharp low stop to deny List’s volley and secure all three points for Wellens’ men.

FULL TIME – LEYTON ORIENT 1-0 STEVENAGE

The win moves Orient above Reading into 8th, just two points shy of the playoff spots ahead of this weekend's fixtures. With their next few fixtures looking favourable, The O’s will be hoping to build on back-to-back wins and push into the playoff places as the season nears its climax.

It was an infuriating night for the visitors who may feel they deserved more from the game, but their struggles in front of goal continue. Registering just two shots on target throughout the match, Revell’s side stay in 13th, but their goalscoring woes, now eight goals in their last twelve games, will need to be addressed if they are to challenge for a top-half finish in the final weeks of the campaign.

Leyton Orient (4-2-3-1) – Keeley; Clare, Edmonds-Green, Cooper, Currie; Pratley, Brown (Ball 62’); Agyei (Perkins 78’), Markanday (Donley 69’), Jaiyesimi (O’Neill 69’); Kelman (Abdulai 78’)

Unused Subs – Phillips, Happe

Stevenage (4-2-3-1) – Cooper; James-Wildin, Goode, Piergianni, Butler; Thompson (Sweeney 90+2’), King (White 80’); Roberts (Appere 80’), Kemp, Reid (Young 80’); Hanlan (List 65’)

Unused Subs – Ashby-Hammond, Freestone

REFEREE – Will Finnie

ATTENDANCE – 7,305 (345 away)