A typical friendly at Ship Lane saw Leyton Orient gain a deserved 2-0 victory. The ebb and flow of the game was hampered by the many expected substitutions and Orient looked a fitter side having played other friendlies already.

Orient started the brighter and had a chance after only 90 seconds. A good turn led to a shot over the bar from Alexander. The O’s were passing well and Fleet were finding it difficult to string consecutive passes together. Thurrock, however did manage to have a chance in the 15th minute. Cliff Akurang received the ball wide on the left with space to run. A swivel of the hips and he was past a static defender, he shot low only to see an excellent save from the Orient keeper.

Orient opened the scoring in the 26th minute. An untidy challenge in the box from Basham led to a penalty, which Alexander dispatched high into the net. Orient were on top now and it was no surprise when they doubled their lead. Ibehre received the ball on the edge of the box, spun and slotted past Gothard. Fleet nearly pulled a goal back with two minutes of the half left when TK’s shot was tipped wide.

The second half was an dull affair, only livened up by the skill of trialist John Buffong on the right wing. Buffong was causing all sorts of problems for the O’s defence and won free kicks and thrown-ins in dangerous positions. Buffong took one of those throws himself on the hour, Akurang connected with a thundering volley, which came back off the underside of the bar. With 15 minutes to go Lee Allen had a shot straight at the keeper which was nearly spilt over the line, but that aside the game petered out.