Leyton Orient suffered a 4-2 defeat away to Barnet in their EFL Trophy Group South match on Tuesday night. The loss exposed familiar defensive frailties just days before a key League One fixture, with the team sitting 14th in the league on 17 points from 13 games, a record of five wins, two draws and six losses.
Barnet took the lead after 33 minutes through J Maskell, but James Morris equalised for Orient ten minutes later. The hosts restored their advantage just before half-time through Kane Smith. A Tony Springett own goal extended Barnet's lead on the hour mark, with Bright Siaw adding a fourth. Substitute Jaze Kabia set up Dane Scarlett for a late consolation in the 86th minute.
Defensive concerns
Conceding four goals continues a worrying trend for Wellens's side, who have now lost three of their last five matches across all competitions. Despite having 55% possession and creating 18 shots, defensive lapses proved costly. The team's recent form in League One reads as two wins and three losses from their last five, leaving them 14th in the table with 17 points from 13 games. Their overall season shows 19 goals scored and 14 conceded for a plus five goal difference, but they are 12 points behind leaders Huddersfield in the title race.
Wellens made several changes to his starting lineup, with Noah Phillips in goal and a back four of Charlie Gerard Richard Wellens, J. Olowu, W. Forrester and J. Morris. Forrester was substituted at half-time for Phillip Chinedu, while Idris El Mizouni and Jaze Kabia were introduced in the second half. Kabia, the club's top scorer this season with four goals, provided the assist for Scarlett's late strike.
The defeat comes after a 5-1 victory over Harborough Town in the same competition but follows League One losses to Burton Albion and Reading. Orient's recent results sequence includes a 3-0 win over Cambridge United and a 2-0 victory against Blackpool, but also a 2-1 loss to Burton Albion and a 1-0 defeat at Reading. Orient now turn their focus to a league meeting with Doncaster Rovers this Saturday 14 November. The reverse fixture last season ended in a 3-0 defeat for the O's, and they will be looking to improve on that result at the Eco-Power Stadium against a side currently 20th in the table.
Barnet manager Dean Brennan said his side were "certainly in their groove" after they secured their place in the competition's Round of 32. The Bees' victory was confirmed by a 66th-minute strike from Bright Siaw, assisted by Kane Smith. Leyton Orient, 14th in League One with a record of five wins, two draws and six losses, now turn their focus to Saturday's league fixture at Doncaster Rovers.
