Dream Start Is Chester Ticket

The 2-0 scoreline was even more remarkable owing to the fact that the O's were down to ten men for much of the game, after Dean Smith, the club captain, was sent off for a professional foul on the half-hour mark.

But Tommy Taylor's men responded bravely despite this set-back.

"Every win is a good win," said the delighted O's boss. "But the fact we were down to ten men for so long makes it even better."

Chester had spent the opening period well on top as the O's, fielding four new men, settled down as a team.

Young John Martin, who turned 17 just weeks ago, made his first start for the club in a three-man midfield alongside fellow debutant Kwame Ampadu, a summer signing from Swansea.

Matthew Lockwood and Wim Walschaerts also featured in their first competitive game for Orient.

Despite these unfamiliar faces, it was the same old story early on as some nervous O's defending failed to deal with simple balls over the top.

One such ball led to Smith's red card, when an ingenious chip from Luke Beckett released John Murphy.

He was clean through but seemed to be heading away from the goal when Smith lunged in clumsily.

After some hesitation, the referee decided Smith had to go and this forced more re-organisation.

They reverted to four at the back with Craig Maskell dropping into midfield and left Tony Richards on his own up front.

The O's dug in but with Chester peppering their goal with shots and crosses the outlook looked bleak.

Keeper Chris MacKenzie had to be at his best while Simon Clark and Stuart Hicks also had their work cut out.

The only respite came on the stroke of half-time when the O's were rewarded for their persistence.

A hopeful ball from Hicks found the ever willing Richards and, realising he was without support, the striker went for goal, calmly slotting the ball into the corner of the net.

The second half saw Chester continue to pour forward but they were continuously denied by the agility of Mackenzie and some vital challenges by Clark and Hicks.

Jason Harris and Robbie Reinault replaced the tiring Richards and Martin and it was Harris who was to claim the O's bizarre second goal on 69 minutes.

Mackenzie launched a huge kick and Brown in the Chester goal was distracted by the sight of Harris bearing down on him.

The hapless keeper completely missed the ball, leaving the striker the simple task of rolling it into an empty net.

Late on, Maskell had the chance to make it three but he curled his effort just wide.

"It was disappointing that Smith went," reflected Taylor after the game, "but the most important thing is that we got off to a winning start for a change.

"We managed to pass the ball around well and I just hope we can play like this every time we go away from home."

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