Last minute decision to go to Leyton Orient as it was a sunny day, and I needed to get out. At Leyton popped into a café which catered for the local Portuguese population. Had a large chicken escalope roll and coffee while watching Liverpool v Everton game with Portuguese commentary!
Then on through the lovely Coronation Gardens recently restored to its Edwardian layout. Lots of colourful tulips. Bought a programme for a Ł1 which turned out to be a foldout poster like sheet with adverts and the teams. The seller told me they have to produce a programme otherwise the FA fine them. The club is in serious financial trouble, haven''t paid the programme printer, so this cheap sheet is produced by another company, cash up front I suppose. Had a Kingston beer (Ł3.20) in the busy real ale clubhouse bar. The Liverpool game was now 3-1 to the ''pool.
My ticket cost Ł15 and I was sitting up high in the West stand. got chatting to fans around me who put me in the picture about how the Italian owner Francesco Becchetti seems to be running the club into the ground. He doesn''t own the stadium, so I can''t understand his attitude. From being in the playoffs in League 1 two seasons ago, they are now rock bottom in League 2.
They played quite well in the early stages, but a reckless challenge by Leyton''s no 6 Tom Parkes on Wycombe''s no 7 Garry Thompson, who milked it for all he was worth, got Parkes red carded. Thompson soon recovered and played the rest of the game and was roundly booed whenever he touched the ball. Toward the end of the first half Wycombe scored followed soon after by a second when the keeper looked to have been fouled. So 2-0 Wycombe at halftime and a mountain to climb for the O''s.
As they came out for the second half, the O''s manager Riza was sent to the stands after words with the ref, who was getting a terrible lambasting from fans nearby. the game fizzled out with few chances either end, and another disappointing game for the loyal fans. Home by 18.15.
Eve didn''t ask if I''d had a nice day, had not prepared a meal! Oh dear.
Critchley
83
wheelerchris121088
75
OrientDave
53
bluntphil
52
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