17 December 2022

Leyton Orient move seven points clear with home win against Sutton

17 December 2022

Leyton Orient extended their lead at the top of Sky Bet League Two to seven points as a Paul Smyth stunner and Alastair Smith own goal secured a 2-0 win at home to Sutton.

Smyth opened the scoring after 61 minutes when he collected a pass from Theo Archibald and lashed the ball into the top-right corner from 20 yards for his ninth goal of the season.

The outcome was settled by an own goal in the 79th minute. A Tom James throw-in from the right was helped on by Omar Beckles and Smith deflected the ball into his own net.

Sutton created little throughout the match to unsettle a tight Orient defence.

A scrappy first half provided few chances, although Archibald, who was a constant threat, almost broke the deadlock just after the half-hour.

Charlie Kelman was felled on the edge of the area and Archibald beat the wall and goalkeeper with his free-kick but saw the ball crash against the underside of the crossbar before being scrambled to safety.

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