Leyton Orient secured a key 2-0 home win over Blackpool on Saturday 17 October with goals from William Forrester and Dane Scarlett. The victory at Brisbane Road moves the O's up to 13th in the League One table, now on 11 points from nine games, a record of three wins and two draws against four losses. This result improves their recent form to two wins, one draw, and two losses from their last five matches, following a goalless draw at Bradford the previous weekend and a 2-0 home defeat to league leaders Plymouth. The team has scored 13 goals and conceded 11 this season.
Forrester opened the scoring in the 31st minute, heading home an Alex Gilbert cross from the right. Orient defended resolutely after the break and sealed the points with a late penalty. Substitute Idris El Mizouni saw his shot strike the hand of Blackpool defender Oliver Casey, and Scarlett converted the resulting spot-kick 14 minutes from time.
Blackpool had more of the ball but created few clear chances. Their best opportunity came when Joseph Olowu's header cannoned off the crossbar just before the penalty incident. Referee John Busby also waved away a first-half penalty appeal from the visitors after Josh Bowler went down in the area, later booking the Blackpool player for simulation.
Wellens's side were organised and clinical, recording six shots on target from 14 attempts despite having only 38% possession. The win is only Orient's second home league victory of the season and ends a run of two games without a win. Top scorer Jaze Kabia, who has four goals in six appearances this season, started the match before being replaced in the second half.
The result plunges Blackpool into the relegation zone, extending their winless league run to seven matches. Leyton Orient now turn their attention to a midweek trip to face sixth-placed Reading on Wednesday 21 October. The O's remain eight points behind leaders Plymouth in the title race.
