Second Leyton Orient Goal ‘Knocked Stuffing’ Out Of Reading: Noel Hunt

The Royals struggled to respond to the hosts’ second goal on Saturday, losing 2-0 in drab fashion.

The Royals left East London empty handed on Saturday after a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Leyton Orient.

Goals from Markanday and Kelman secured three points for the home side. Manager Noel Hunt felt Reading should have had a penalty when Sam Smith was fouled by the Orient goalkeeper.

The defeat moves us down to eighth but just one point off the play-offs. Here is what Hunt had to say, he spoke to the Reading Chronicle.

Hunt on the defeat

“I thought we were the better team in the first half and created a lot more problems for them. They get a breakaway and a goal from an individual error.

“In games like this, which are tight, you can’t give strong teams like Leyton Orient a leg up. We said it would be the first to blink and unfortunately it was us.

“We kept on going and showed great character in the first half. The early goal in the second half knocked the stuffing out of us but in these games, these moments matter, and we must address them quickly.”

Hunt on the penalty appeal

“I’m getting tired of it now [missed penalties] but we have to keep going and working hard. They can’t believe it in there but we have to keep going and keep asking the referees questions and getting in the opportunities to get these chances. Hopefully the harder we work, the luckier we get.

“It’s frustrating on our part because anywhere else on the pitch and they’re fouls all day. We can’t get caught up in that, we have to keep going and focusing on creating chances.

“We spent most of the first half in their half, probing, and they were defending in a low block. We come out, start the second half bright but give the corner away, don’t set early enough and we pay the price.”

Hunt on Jeriel Dorsett injury

“He said he felt his hamstring when we went to sprint. We will scan it. It’s a blow to us to happen so early in the game because he was getting himself fit.

“We thought if he could get 60 minutes today it would be good. He felt fine on Tuesday. We probably did more on Tuesday in terms of a session with the first-team boys than he would with the under-21s so there’s nothing in that, it’s just one of those things.”