Enigma Variations

Leyton Orient (1) 2 Cheltenham Town (0) 0

Morris; Purches (Capt), Thelwell, Mkandawire, C Daniels; Gray (sub JJ Melligan 63), Chambers, P Terry, Demetriou; Boyd, Ibehre.

Sir Edward Elgar is arguably the quintessential English composer, evoking memories of the peaceful and idyllic Cotswolds, the Victorian fin de siècle and Edwardian era (the early days of our beloved football club) and even the East end of London. This year saw the 150^th anniversary of his birth (a debt is owed to our own Julian Lloyd Webber for prompting some of what follows) and the Bank of England chose this auspicious moment to remove the likeness of this great Englishman from our Twenty Pound notes and replace it with that of a Scotsman, and not just a Scotsman but an economist, to boot, and, moreover, one whose visage had already adorned some of the Scottish banknotes! This appalling gaffe was testimony not only to the modern, shrunken Bank’s questionable judgment but also to that of another Scot, the arrogant Chancellor (now First Lord of the Treasury) who sealed his reputation for cleverness by dismembering, within a few days of coming to office, a great institution which history had taken three hundred years to mould and put together. The Northern Rock fiasco, in which the new “Brown” Bank was hamstrung from acting effectively in a way in which its pre-Brown predecessor could so easily have done, is further testimony to his cleverness.

But back to the music! Elgar may well have had the Hackney Marshes in mind when composing the Cockaigne Overture but we doubt he gave us a thought when penning the Enigma Variations. An interesting word, Enigma, and Greek, of course in its derivation, we suppose it was first used by Aeschylus or Sophocles in telling the story of Oedipus and the Sphinx. But we won’t be going there! More interesting yet the Variant Enigmas before us at Brisbane Road. How can a team produce quite the worst performance of the season on Tuesday and, four days later, fashion a 2 – 0 shut-out victory, hardly elegant in its construct, yet infinitely more satisfying in its result? And how can the sometimes insouciant Adam Boyd, apparently incapable of heading a ball on Tuesday, rise above taller opposition to head home a glorious goal just four days later? And, perhaps the greatest enigma of all, why is it that some of us, nay many of us, feel an irresistible urge to take on the role of team coach every other Saturday, yelling our advice across the void that is Brisbane Road to a bunch of heroes who would hear anything rather than our choice words of wisdom?

If Tuesday’s loss to the Lions was hardly worth reporting, there is a sense in which Saturday’s performance was little better. Many of the details can therefore be spared. But, as ever, it is the psychology of the side that fascinates and some attempt at dissecting the game is therefore necessary. Our manager spoke, both in the programme and in his pre-match briefing to the Gallery faithful, of the need for patience, both on the players’ part and the crowd’s. And the theme recurred in his post-match debrief. We assumed he was telling us to wait patiently for the goal or goals that would secure the points. With hindsight, we now see it was also a reference to the style of play which was unusual, to say the least, and gave the superficial impression that nothing had been learnt from Tuesday’s defeat. An enigma, to be sure, and one that is still in the unravelling.

Robins kicked off and kicked South, a fact which encouraged the Cobra, if nobody else. The Professor observed that we had a left-handed linesman and this proved to be almost the last occasion on which we noticed the officials, a sure token that they performed well on balance. Indeed, there was a marked lack of coloured cards (one to be precise), another measure of a man in control of events. Orient’s first passing move ended with a long ball from Jabo to Chambers which resulted in a goal-kick. Frustrating in the normal run of things. Why waste possession with a hopeful long ball? The answer lay in the conditions. Sometimes very blustery, nay squally. Always wet, puddles in places and a heavy ball. In these circumstances, the long ball, not only clears decks but offers the opposition the opportunity to make an all-too-easy mistake at the back. Jason Demetriou now away on a run down the left channel. Jabo looks clear to his right and, for a brief moment, we see the daylight that indicates a successful through-ball is on. But it is in Jason’s current mind-set to plough on. No matter. So Jabo serves as a decoy and, hopefully, opens up a gap. But Jason’s run continues, as so often recently, just that nano-second too long. He shoots. The shot is blocked. The danger passed. The return shot passes for a goal-kick. Two options for Jason, then, aside from that early ball to Jabo, which, it is worth reflecting, is surely the ball that Wenger’s protégés would have given; either set yourself a target beyond the penalty spot and go, hell for leather for that target, just as Adam Chambers does so successfully at times (in short, get into the box), or take the pot a shade sooner. Town’s turn to use the long ball and a shot is deflected for a corner on the right. The wind and rain suddenly well up from nowhere, turning an unpleasant day into a positively awful afternoon. Thankfully, it will come and go. Tam heads the corner down and out. It is returned and Jason D clears off the line, giving long for a throw. The wind seems to be blowing from the South, strangely, an advantage to our lads. Purches is fouled and we have a free-kick but, from the kick, the ball is given away, the first of many frustrating errors which echo Tuesday’s debacle. Cheltenham break away but a brilliant tackle by Adam Chambers rights the ship at the cost of a throw. And so those opening exchanges continued, very much in Tuesday’s vein, but with the weather making conditions worse. Possession lost, time and again, often, but not exclusively, by the front men. Passes difficult to string together. But, on the positive front, Tam as ever solid at the back, some interesting and huge crosses from Wayne Gray in his new role, free-kicks and crosses, too, from Charlie Daniels of a similar ilk. But, above all, a hugely reliable Cat between the sticks. Reliable hands, reliable kicking - shades of yesteryear – and sensible short balls to the full-backs, Charlie especially, when they were on. The Cobra is delighted to see the Cat mature into such a fine ‘keeper, after so many false starts. Not only does the kicking seem under control but it is well directed. Instead of the very long ball which is gifted to the opposing netminder, we now find the ball landed with precision in mid-opposition territory, precisely where Adam, Wayne or Jabo would want to be competing for it, and still allowing the prospect of a nod-on without risking the possibility of the offside flag.

Twelve minutes in and a five-minute purple patch which seems to tilt the balance of fortunes in our favour. Cheltenham win a free-kick for offside (Jabo) and, from the kick, Orient are awarded a free-kick for an infringement. Daniels takes on the right, a huge left-footed inswinger to the far post where ‘keeper Higgs holds. Stall marked out! From the clearance, Purches gives away a throw from which Robins fashion a shot. Tam blocks. A second shot from distance. Adam Boyd clears. Adam Boyd? Yes. The same Adam. Ineffectual on Tuesday, work-rate doubled on Saturday. The second Enigma Variation. Now Daniels to Demetriou to Jabo down the left. To Jason again and he is upended by the corner flag. The free-kick is just a yard from the bye-line. Jason cleverly squares back to Charlie who gets in a trademark low drive. Blocked and cleared. Chambers heads back again. Tam feeds Charlie for another shot which wins a corner. Jason takes on the right. The corner is cleared at the far post. Getting closer! Robins give long. Alton Thelwell and Paul Terry combine to clear. Adam Boyd (yes, he again) sets up Stephen Purches for a cross. A melee in the box. Jabo, facing the South Stand, attempts an overhead scissors kick and is penalised for dangerous play. Higgs takes the kick from around the penalty spot. End-to-end-to-end play ensues. Thelwell clears. To Terry, Daniels and Demetriou. On to Boyd who gives a brilliant ball out to Wayne Gray but his cross-cum-shot is blocked. End-to-end again. Robins on the break. Thelwell tackles and finds Demetriou. To Jabo and Boyd who sets Jason free down the left. He shoots. It is blocked. Daniels retrieves for Demetriou to cross. Adam Boyd up with a header which Higgs rises to save, a very near miss. On Tuesday night, Adam had lost practically every aerial ball for which he challenged whereas Wayne Gray, by contrast, won a good percentage of his contested headers. Indeed, so marked was the failure that the fair Vicki remarked on his first success, well on into the second half, one of only two recorded. Today, however, the Boyd is on song. Enigma indeed! Twenty minutes gone.

Now Terry, Demetriou and Daniels with a cross to the far post which Higgs holds. O’s come again and another Wayne Gray cross is cleared. Cheltenham on a roll. Paul Connor and Gillespie look dangerous down the right. Thelwell and Daniels clear. Demetriou gives long and Higgs returns. Gillespie shoots from outside the box and the Cat goes down to save the slippery ball with confidence. Orient clear, are dispossessed and Terry gives away a corner. The ball finds Gillespie, just a few yards out. Amazingly, Charlie Daniels, is the wrong side of Gillespie who gets a free shot which Glen Morris holds, almost at point-blank range. Robins continue to rock. We give away a throw by the flag. The cross is headed out and Daniels concedes a corner which Purches heads out. Orient clear but Demetriou is tackled and dispossessed. Terry clears, Town again down the right. Wayne Gray clears for a throw and the immediate pressure subsides. Cheltenham have perhaps shot their bolt.

Orient resurge. Demetriou to Daniels and a brilliant cross to the far post but no-one there to take advantage and Higgs fields. Now Jabo lays back for Purches to cross and Adam Boyd shoots over the crossbar. Orient again with a throw on the right from which Purches wins a corner. Daniels takes. A raft of players – both sides - go up for it and all miss the ball which runs out to Jason Demetriou, wide left, for another cross but no-one gets up for it and the ball is cleared. Paul Terry intercepts and returns the ball to Boyd who sets Jason off on a run again down the left. Jason shoots, just wide of the right-hand post (as we look). Higgs’s kick is long and Orient win a couple of throws, some fifteen yards up from the corner flag. Cheltenham regroup. Gray up to clear. Robins again. Tammy out with the clearance. Robins again down the middle and the Cat comes out brilliantly to nip the danger in the bud. Five minutes left and Morris finds the on-form Boyd who feeds Gray wide right. This time the perfect cross. Adam Boyd is up for it, brilliantly outjumping his opponent to head the ball firmly and high into the net. One-nil Orient and near-perfect timing. We try to play out the rest of the half but Robins have one more card to play. Wayne Gray, fed by Boydy again, crosses low from the right. The ball is easily cleared and Robins break down their right. A dangerous cross but there is the Cat, out and brilliantly down to smother the ensuing shot. One minute is added but we are already seeking the warmth of the bar.

The second half, as often, was somewhat better and not merely because we were kicking South. Yet the visitors had the early half-chances, Gillespie shooting from outside the box in the opening minutes and watching as the ball passed safely wide of Morris’s left-hand post (as we look). Now Boyd sets Jabo off on a run and Higgs comes out to smother Chambers’ shot. Robins again. Daniels up to the cross and Gillespie again with a shot which runs for a goal-kick. Town now with a free-kick midway into our half. Alan Wright, sometime of England fame, takes the kick and Robins look dangerous in the box but order is restored as the Cat grabs at the ball on the line with the opposing striker just a yard off. Next, Boyd gets up to Purches’ cross but Higgs rises to hold. Orient again with a series of crosses, the last of which, from Purches, is near-perfect. The ball is cleared to Adam Chambers who steadies and shoots. The shot is blocked and rebounds to Adam Boyd who has an almost open goal. He shoots high over the crossbar. Ten minutes in.

Cheltenham again. Wright to Spencer for the cross. Thelwell out. Now Terry with a great cross which Higgs holds. Robins again. David Bird shoots. We look for a goal-kick but a corner is awarded. The Cat holds well on the goal-line. Demetriou to Terry who is dispossessed and Robins come again. Gillespie and Gill exchange passes. To Wright for the cross which Chambers clears. Jabo chases but the ball is passed back to Higgs who puts off for a throw five yards from the flag. Jabo runs with the ball but loses it. Wayne Gray regains possession and, in the box, slams the ball hard across the area. Rather too much so, as he concedes a throw on the far side. Orient break again and Purches feeds Jabo whose shoot is incredibly weak, a goal-kick ensuing. From the kick, Alton Thelwell clears under pressure. Robins return and win a free-kick some twelve yards from the flag. Morris holds the kick well on his goal-line. Robins again. Gillespie shoots. The Cat stops but offside has been blown.Town again, Gillespie again and Tam deflects for a corner. But Wayne Gray is sporting an injury and JJ Melligan comes on to face his old club, with almost half an hour left on the clock. Cheltenham, too, suffer an injury and a minute or two is lost for treatment. Robins continue to impress with Wright and Duff prominent but the next chance is ours as Daniels clears for Demetriou to go on a trademark run. He is tripped by Bird on the edge of the box but the cross is cleared at the far post for a throw. Twenty minutes in and manager Keith Downing brings on Ashley Vincent for Andy Lindegaard.

Two minutes on and another injury requires attention as Cheltenham’s Bird goes down, Chambers conceding the free-kick on the halfway line. It comes to nothing as Orient win their own free-kick for a foul. The game then turned on five minutes crucial action around the half-hour. Paul Connor suddenly finds himself free and on the break. The Orient defence appeal for offside but to no avail and are caught on the wrong foot. Connor steams on, Cat only to beat. Then from nowhere comes the enigmatic Adam Boyd, back to the rescue with a brilliantly timed tackle from behind. Robins still manage a shot which Morris saves superbly and another great tackle ensures the clearance. Downing takes Bird off and brings on Guy Madjo. Town return to the Orient penalty area but a fantastic tackle from Alton Thelwell dispossesses them and the ball is cleared. Paul Terry gives long but the ball is returned. Tam retrieves and finds Charlie Daniels, on to Adam Boyd and neatly back to Daniels. A big cross, which is slightly deflected en route and falls nicely for JJ Melligan whose glancing header is unerringly accurate and finds the net. 2 – 0 Orient and game sewn up. Yet, as so often, Robins redouble their efforts for one last fling. They win a corner on the left. Tammy clears but gives another corner, the decision hotly disputed by himself in particular. Thelwell clears this one but Sinclair robs Jabo and gets in a cross which Stephen Purches clears. Demetriou on the ball is floored and Gavin Caines earns the only yellow card of the game, a sure sign of opposition frustration. The Cat takes the free-kick.

Five minutes of two-way play with the visitors still straining to register. Tam puts out for a throw some fifteen yards from our corner flag on their left. Alan Wright with the throw. Adam Chambers intercepts and runs with the ball before putting Jabo through in the penalty area. He rounds ‘keeper Higgs close to the bye-line but the angle is too sharp and he crosses the ball only to find no-one there to receive and welcome the empty net. The ball is cleared and returned. Boyd gets into the box but is tackled. Another neat Orient build, as confidence grows, and JJ Melligan shoots from around thirty yards out, the ball deflected up for Higgs to rise and hold. Then, with less than five minutes remaining, Jabo finds Purches who wins a corner. The cross falls kindly for Adam Boyd who, evidently trying to ape either Jabo’s first-half spectacular, or Adebayor’s trademark aerial volley, lifts a leg high but fails to connect. Another header was clearly on but we guess Adam was exhausted by his Herculean efforts. We understand and sympathise. Robins respond but their response is increasingly hopeful. A shot from twenty-five yards passes wide of Morris’s post. Spencer is removed and Michael d’Agostino brought on. Another hopeful shot from thirty-five yards out sails harmlessly over the crossbar. Four substitutions and a goal and two or three significant injuries requiring treatment on the pitch, we figure five or six minutes time to be added. The fourth Official signals a mere two, the officials evidently having decided that Robins could stay there all day and not score. And so our promotion push gets back on track. But the doubts remain. And we ponder the enigma that is Adam Boyd, today’s match-winner beyond doubt. Enigma also the team itself, Jekyll yesterday and Hyde today. Oh yes, and the ersatz team coach in the Gallery. A well-meaning individual, beyond question, but clearly an ongoing irritant to Martin Ling. It wouldn’t be football and, in particular, it wouldn’t be Orient, if we didn’t have our opinions and didn’t want to broadcast them. Just look at this lengthy screed!! But why do some of us feel the urge to take over the manager’s role in mid-game? And so publicly. It will remain an enigma.

COBRA