Soccer
Jack Wilshere felt Luton did enough to beat Leyton Orient
Luton boss Jack Wilshere felt his side did more than enough to beat Leyton Orient after being held to a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road.
The Hatters had 23 shots, with seven on target, but only had Jamie Donley’s goal against his former club to show for their efforts.
Orient hit back before the break when Jaze Kabia drove into the top corner and Town could not break the visitors down again.
Wilshere said: “I think we learned last year to respect a point, but probably today when we reflect on the game, I thought we did enough to win the game.
“We created enough chances. I’m happy with the performance. Yes, we could have been more consistent with it in the second half, taken more control in the final third, but everything we asked of the players they did, they
got success with doing it.
“Clearly I think new players, they have to understand a little bit more of how we want to play, need to understand each other, their team-mates, need to build those connections, so overall we should have won the game, but
performance-wise happy and we’ve got work to do.
“Even at the end when we were tired and they were building a little bit of momentum, putting balls in our box, it was important we saw that out and we walk away with a point.”
Luton looked like they were on course for a comfortable win when Donley put them ahead after 25 minutes, Nahki Wells missing a good chance to make it 2-0.
However, the visitors levelled after 36 minutes, Kabia getting the better of Mads Juel Andersen to score a terrific goal.
Hakeem Odoffin hit a post for Town, with Gideon Kodua’s follow-up cleared off the line, while Orient’s Idris El Mizouni was denied by a fine save from Josh Keeley.
After the break Wells was unable to find a way past goalkeeper Nathan Baxter again, with Donley’s attempt blocked too, while Armando Dobra shot straight at Keeley late on for the visitors.
Orient boss Richie Wellens said: “I thought it was a good game. Two good teams, intensity, quality at times, but they were in the Premier League not too long ago, so they carry a good threat and have got some good players.
“They’re well coached and cause you problems in certain areas, but apart from us just being a bit too front-footed and a bit stupid and leaving balls down the side in the first half, I didn’t think there was too much threat.
“It was a good League One game, both sets of players leaving it all out there. You have to be good out of possession, so pleased with a point as it’s a difficult place to come.”
