Leyton Orient boss chasing spot in FA Cup third round

Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens was pleased to see his in-form side beat Carlisle to secure progress in the

FA Cup – and has set his sights on a place in the third round.

Joe Pigott converted an early penalty to put O’s on top against their League One rivals at Brisbane Road, before Joe

Garner levelled early in the second half.

And substitutes Aaron Drinan and Ruel Sotiriou struck to seal a 3-1 win and a place in the second round.

“We started the first 20 minutes really well, then last 15-20 minutes of the first half nothing really happened,”

Wellens told the club website.

“Their shape caused us a problem. I thought they were good for the first 20 minutes of the second half.

“We conceded a goal, probably my fault, we were just about to change it. But when we changed to a four I thought we

were pretty dominant in the last 20-25 minutes and could’ve scored a few more.

“All in all, it was an important game for us financially and wanting to get to the next round.

“I want to use the squad but I know I’m under pressure to win this game because financially it can be big for us.

“We want to try and get to the third round and give Nigel and the board some of the money back!

“If you get to the third round you can earn a hell of a lot of money if you get that away trip.

“I don’t think in the six years the owners have owned the club we’ve not had a cup run.

“You want to win but you’re wary if you make too many changes, the fluency in the team changes.”

Irish striker Drinan opened his account for the season on his 10th appearance this term when squeezing home a

cross from Tom James.

But the 25-year-old has only started twice and Wellens praised his efforts, as well as those of George Moncur.

“I’ve gone on record loads of times saying how much I rate him [Drinan,” he added.

“He’s had a disruptive pre-season for two seasons on the bounce.

“When he’s fit and firing, he’s got pace and power, he’s a good finisher, we see it every day in training, he can cross a ball.

“It doesn’t matter what level you play at, if you play with confidence, you’re going to be a lot better than when you’re

playing without confidence.

“I’m pleased for him and I thought George Moncur when he went on was excellent as well.

“He had a tough time last week [being substituted as a substitute], I didn’t like doing it, but I’m the manager of a

football club and sometimes I have to make difficult decisions. I’m not scared to do that.

“We’ve tried to get his confidence back up and he was excellent in terms of his composure and skill and the way he

brought the game back in terms of us being dominant in the last 20 minutes.”

O’s now turn their attention to the EFL Trophy and another home fixture against Portsmouth on Tuesday.

And Wellens expects to make more changes, but hopes to maintain momentum at the same time.

“The squad is strong, even though we’ve got five or six out,” he said.

“We want to put on a performance, the likes of Moncs, Driz, Sweens [Jayden Sweeney], Omar Beckles, Darren

Pratley, all need a game so it’s very important to them to get fitness.

“But it’s also important, we’re on a good run, mentally, the players are happy about winning, so we want to make four

or five changes but we want them to come in and win as well, so it’s an important game for us.”

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