MK Dons v Leyton Orient

Wow, what a game! Truth be told, this was my first away game for some
time [having been made redundant last week, I thought I deserved to
watch the o's on a cold tuesday night ;-) ]

The main highlight of this match was the passion, determination,
committment, urgency shown by the team tonight. All the things that
have been missing for some time now. I have to say, I am/was a big
supporter of Ling, but this game as well as the Southend game are
clear proof that the players were not 100% behind Ling. There is no
way you can compare tonight's game with any of the previous 10 or so.
There is something Nugent is doing that wasn't working for Ling.

The first 20 minutes did not look good. We looked shaky at the back
(Tam & Spence getting used to each other?) and MK created several
openings using pace and width. Their goal when it came wasn't a total
surprise, but we were showing a good level of effort. We equalised
quickly, Morgan tidying up a freekick/corner that found it's way into
the box. Soon after the goal, our confidence grew and we started to
apply some pressure, pretty much for the last 20 minutes of the 1st half.

Second half began the same, plenty of pace, determination from us,
created a few openings. Unfortunately, Jarvis is too weak upfront so
nothing really materialised. Last 20 mins, MK pushed harder and we
started to retreat, but admirably we kept throwing bodies in the way
so even when one defender was beaten, another one was quick to step
in. Last couple of minutes and the pressure was still on, but we so
close to the end now, the players could sense it, the fans were
starting to believe we were going to win and then typically, MK were
awarded a penalty for handball (couldn't see it clearly) at the death!
Disaster, we had done so well! At this point it's worth mentioning
that Jones had done exceptionally well so far but here was his biggest
test. Could he do it? Could he win us the 3 points we really needed
and probably deserved? YES HE COULD! What a save! Cue jubilations,
what a game, what a result. Another 30 seconds and it was all over.
Cue mass celebrations, O's fans running down to great their heroes.

This may have been my first away game in ages, but what a way to return.

Some other points;
Morgan - brilliant at times, awful and a liability at others. Very
frustrating. He clearly has some talent there, a blinding run from the
half-way line, and a shot. A great free-kick. But at other times,
lazy, careless.

Demetriou - was exceptional tonight. I swear he was on drugs, he was
so fired up for this. He was rallying the troops constantly throughout
the game, even though Purches supposedly does this.

Jarvis - as already hinted, he needs to beef up and get more aggresive
if he is going to succeed. Too many times he either gets muscled off
the ball, or when he does get a chance to shoot, he takes too long.

The stadium - very neat, tidy etc but where was the atmosphere? And
£3.20 for a crappy lager? I know our ground gets stick, but it works
for us in the position we're in at the moment. I don't want to sit in
an 'atmosphere' like tonight, week-in, week-out.

So there you have, my first (and last probably), match notes for 2009!