Ross Embleton frustrated as Leyton Orient held in Bradford stalemate

Posted Sunday, December 15, 2019 by PA

Interim manager Ross Embleton admitted his frustration after a goalless draw against Bradford at Brisbane Road left Leyton Orient without a win in seven Sky Bet League Two games.

Chances were at a premium in the first half but after the break, Orient staged a fierce rally as they attempted unsuccessfully to unhinge a resolute opposition defence.

Strikers Lee Angol and Connor Wilkinson came closest to breaking the deadlock, whilst Jordan Maguire-Drew also went close in a spirited second-half performance.

Embleton said: “I feel a little bit disappointed if I am honest. We worked really hard this week on how we would stop Bradford.

“We wanted to make it difficult for them given the high-quality players they’ve got, but the plan worked really well.

“We had a couple of strong penalty shouts and if I’m honest, I thought without doubt the challenge on Lee Angol was definitely a penalty. I spoke to the referee at the end and told him he would have a sleepless night tonight because he got it wrong.

“There have been times when those decisions are given but today the referee didn’t give it.

“It’s now 10 games in all competitions without a win and that’s obviously a disappointing statistic but we have to look at the positives.

“Last week we went away to Oldham and earned an important point and today we have matched a team who are a promotion contenders and executed a game plan to stop them and earn ourselves a clean sheet.”

City did have a chance on the counter-attack late on as James Vaughan produced a full-stretch save from Orient goalkeeper Sam Sargeant.

The goalless draw though earned the Bantams another point as they consolidated their place in the play-off positions.

Manager Gary Bowyer said: “Their goalkeeper made two good saves. We had to make a few important blocks at times but – to be honest – our goalkeeper hasn’t had a shot to save.

“I thought Harry Pritchard had a great opportunity and James Vaughan came so close at the end so we are a little bit frustrated we didn’t hit the back of the net.

“But overall, we’ve got a clean sheet away from home, we’ve picked up a point and moved a place up the table.

“We probably just needed to show a bit more killer instinct in the final third but you have to give absolute credit to everyone associated with Leyton Orient Football Club today.

“It was the launch of the Justin Edinburgh Foundation today and I felt that Justin’s presence was here by the way their players went about it. They really put in a shift for Ross and the club.”