O’s lucky to win, admits Richie after tough clash

By Tony Flint

BLACKPOOL 1

Carey 61

Tyrer 6, Offiah 6, Pennington 6 (Beesley 77, 6), Casey 6, Coulson 7, Apter 6 (Hamilton 59, 6), Morgan 7, Evans 7, Carey 7, Ennis 6, Fletcher 6 (Bloxham 59, 6). Subs not used: O’Donnell, Husband, Lawrence-Gabriel, Onomah.

LEYTON ORIENT 2

Kelman 29, 63

Keeley 8, Clare 6 (Pratley 60, 6), Edmonds-Green 6, Simpson 6 (Cooper 45, 7), Currie 6, Brown 6, Galbraith 7, Agyei 6 (Perkins 90, 6), Abdulai 6 (Ball 80, 6), Jaiyesimi 7 (Donley 60, 6), Kelman 8. Subs not used: Phillips, Markanday.

Att: 9,185 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Thomas Kirk 6/10

RICHIE Wellens admitted his Leyton Orient side were fortunate after they snapped their losing run at the Seasiders.

The O’s ended a five-game poor streak thanks to Charlie Kelman’s brace, but Wellens conceded it was a tough game to watch from the sideline.

“It was an important win, obviously, but we’d played really well in some of the games in this five-game run, and we’ve got away with one today,” he said. “Tactically, I didn’t enjoy it one little bit. There were too many off it, and too many chances given away from transition.

“Our decision making was alright, but we were passing in front of them, and not really hurting them.”

The first half was slow to kick into life before Kelman’s goal just before the half-hour mark. Dialling Jaiyesimi sent a cross in, and Kelman buried his close-range header.

Ashley Fletcher blew a glorious chance to level with the goal at his mercy. The striker pounced on a weak header intended for Josh Keeley and rounded the keeper, but shot over the open goal.

Fletcher had a chance to make amends but headed Lee Evans’ cross wide. Blackpool continued to push but Keeley saved from Sonny Carey and Rob Apter to send the O’s in ahead at half time.

Kelman was close to doubling Orient’s lead in the second half but crashed a shot against the bar.

With an hour played, Sonny Carey drew Blackpool level. Receiving a pass from Tom Bloxham, Carey’s quick feet created the space for an emphatic finish. But Orient restored the lead minutes later. Dan Agyei sent a low ball across goal for Kelman to turn in.

Niall Ennis hit the post from close range and Blackpool’s best chance, after 88 minutes, while Jake Beesley cleared the bar with only Keeley to beat.

Wellens added: “We worked so hard but we didn’t work smart at all. We showed a great resilience, but we got away with it, they should have won.”

Blackpool boss Steve Bruce was left scratching his head as he reflected on some fantastic chances for his side.

“I think everybody who witnessed that game will go home and say how the hell have we not won that,” he said. “It’s the most important part, taking your chances, and they were big chances.

“Then we’ve given a poor second goal away when we got caught up in the emotion of us scoring.”