Football Review | Rotherham United 1 - 0 Leyton Orient

Leyton Orient fell to defeat in a close game in Yorkshire

Sam Nombe’s second-half goal proved to be the difference for the home side

Author | Ajay

Stadium | Aesseal New York Stadium

Following last Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of Doncaster Rovers, Orient boss Richie Wellens named an unchanged starting 11 to take on Rotherham.

In a subdued first half with few attacking moments from either side, the clearest opportunity arrived within the opening two minutes.

Killian Cahill was forced into action after Millers forward Ar’Jany Martha broke through the Orient offside trap. The Irish goalkeeper remained composed to deny Martha’s hurried effort.

Orient’s only shot on target in the half came in the 22nd minute when Aaron Connolly’s effort deflected safely into the arms of Rotherham goalkeeper Cameron Dawson, leaving the score level at half-time.

Orient go behind in the second-half.

At half-time, Rotherham manager Matthew Hamshaw turned to his bench, introducing striker Nombe, who made an impact in the 57th minute.

Jamal Baptiste’s teasing header across the face of goal seemed to evade everyone in the six-yard box until Nombe arrived to glance the hosts into a 1-0 lead.

Millers forward Ar’Jany Martha then broke through the Orient offside line, forcing Killian Cahill into an early save. The Irish goalkeeper stayed composed to block Martha’s hurried effort.

The visitors' biggest threat continued to come from corners and in the 75th minute Sean Clare came close to nodding in from close range.

With 15 minutes remaining, Wellens made four substitutions in a final push to find an equaliser. One of those introductions, Sonny Perkins, came agonisingly close to levelling the score in the 88th minute.

Despite the O's having several chances late on to find an equaliser, they were unable to break through a sturdy defence.