retired_destiny1124

Thank you SoS- I appreciate your kind words. Tom Newey just didn't have the qualities I was looking for and he ended up long gone from Orient. I will try and post an updated roster before I head into the next season with the story.

***

2.5.07
Leyton Orient (1) Everton (0)
Orient- R.Calliste 90
Everton- None
MOM- Richard Wright, Everton

Richard Wright did everything he could to earn floundering and seemingly relegation bound Everton a point at Brisbane Road, but it went for naught as Orient snatched a last minute goal to win out 1-0. Orient launched 21 shots to Everton's 3, but Wright was johnny-on-the-spot in stopping David Poole on 3 different occasions and also frustrating surprise Orient starter Zvjezdan Misimovic- making his first senior appearance in over a year. In the end it was Ramon Calliste, who subbed on for Misimovic, that finally was able to solve Wright. Aaron Lennon zinged a superb long cross that found Calliste in full stride and he sent one inside the far post in second half extra time for the match winner. Wright had stopped Calliste also just moments before the he scored. Calliste continues to demonstrate he is ready for prime time with excellent work after coming on. Chelsea walloped Nottingham Forest 5-0 to overtake Arsenal for top spot in the EPL, though Arsenal still have a match in hand as they trail by a single point. Orient clinched the 3rd spot in EPL with the win, as they have a 10 point margin over 4th place Manchester United with only 3 matches remaining.

***

"I thought we were never going to get one by him," sighed Field.

Drabek smiled, "Just glad we did. I really thought David (Poole) was going to get one today, he had some superb chances."

Field nodded, "Misimovic looked pretty good out there too today."

Drabek leaned his head to the side, "He was ok at least. I am glad we grabbed the win- now we don't have to fret these last three matches and ManU can't catch us for third. It is a huge accomplishment for us."

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5.5.07
Arsenal (3) Leyton Orient (0)
Arsenal- A.Cole 21 M.Zonneveld 59 A. Del Pierro 73
Orient- None
MOM- Jens Lehmann, Arsenal

In a match that was somewhat closer than the final scoreline indicates, Arsenal used its superior pace and talent to control more of the play enroute to a 3-0 win and a move back in front of Chelsea atop the EPL. Ashley Cole scored a dazzling goal that will likely be in the running for goal of the month when he smashed a shot from well outside the area on a nice lay off pass. Both of Arsenal's 2nd half goals came on free kicks as Mike Zonneveld and Alessandro Del Pierro made excellent shots to score past Per Morten Kristiansen. The lone Orient offensive threat in the match was Ramon Calliste, who caused problems for Sol Campell in portions of the match.

***

"I am disappointed with Per (Morten Kristiansen)- if he comes up with those free kicks I think we could have earned a draw," commented Drabek.

Field tilted his head, "Well, I agree Per hasn't played his best for us- but he has been steady throughout the season."

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12.5.07
Leyton Orient (5) Birmingham (0)
Orient- D.Poole 6,13,54 R.Calliste 9 D.Byrne 28
Birmingham- None
MOM- David Poole, Leyton Orient

Orient celebrated their final home match of the season with a revival of form by David Poole as they crushed visiting Birmingham 5-0. Orient had the jump from the opening whistle and Bojan Djordjic made a sizzling cross that David Poole deflected past Roy Carroll to quickly establish the Orient lead. Calliste scored when Djordjic made a deft pass to put him in free on Carroll. Calliste then drew the defenders on the dribble before loosing a pass to unmarked Poole and he slotted a shot past Carroll for his 100th Orient League goal. Danny Byrne made it a 4-0 halftime lead when he ripped a volley on a Djordjic free kick inside the near post. Poole finished off his hat-trick when Calliste hit a swerving cross that Poole was able to knock past Carroll to finish off the scoring in the impressive 5-0 Orient win.

***

"Nice way to end in front of our fans," stated Field.

"Also nice to see David (Poole) come back to form," agreed Drabek.

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20.5.07
Manchester United (1) Leyton Orient (1)
ManU- C.Ronaldo 90
Orient- D.Poole 84
MOM- David Poole, Leyton Orient

It looked like Orient was going to eke out a win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, but the backline once again failed to cover in the closing stages and Cristiano Ronaldo walked in and calmly beat Per Morten Kristiansen to salvage a 1-1 draw for the home side. After the match remained scoreless in the first half and most of the 2nd half it was Daneil Simpsonhirs who wheeled out a long pass and found David Poole roaming unattended in the middle of the pitch. Fabien Barthez had stopped Poole in an earlier 2nd half chance, but this time Poole cooly chipped over Barthez for the goal. Ronaldo scored despite Orient switching to a defensive formation and attempting to keep everyone back and it was obvious Manager Drabek was seriously upset about the equalizer. Arsenal beat Bolton 2-0 to clinch the EPL title, with Chelsea finishing 2nd, Orient 3rd and Manchester United 4th.

***

"Fantastic season wasn't it?" Drabek smiled and toasted Field with an ale in his office.

Field was leaning back on the small couch and staring absently at the ceiling, "Truly wonderful. Can you believe we will be in Europe next season?"

Drabek shook his head, "No, I can't believe much of this at all. Now comes the hard part though."

"What do you mean?"

Drabek glanced over, "Time to reshape the roster again. The 13.5 Million in prize money gives us some leeway again. One way or another we are going to trim some of the dross off the roster."

"Just be sure to keep in mind that we will be in Europe- we may need additional depth."

"I am sure we will. But, we have a lot of accumulated players that are not good enough for the level. Now that I have a lot better idea on who our 'core' team will be, I also have ideas about ensuring the depth. But that is for a month from now- let me worry on it in the meantime. Go take that trip to Italy you have been wanting to- you have earned it."

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ENGLAND
9.6.07
Finland (0) England (0)
Finland- None
England- None
MOM- Sami Hyppia, Finland

In a hard fought contest neither side could come up with a goal and settled for a scoreless draw. Finland had much the better of the play in the first half and pressured the English midfield incessently. England turned the tables in the second half, pressuring the Finnish backline. The draw, coupled with Denmark's 3-0 win at Kazakhstan, sent Denmark to the top of the group.

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ENGLAND
13.6.07
England (6) Kazakhstan (0)
England- D.Poole 13,31,49,56 C.Laurie 37 J.Beattie 63
Kazakhstan- None
MOM- David Poole, England

In a match that announced the arrival of David Poole on the International scene, England rolled over hapless Kazakhstan by a 6-0 margin. England laid 27 shots at Yuri Novikov, while allowing the visitors only brief possessions in their defensive end. Poole broke the English record by scoring four goals in the match and win itself was a record margin for a win. Poole had perfect placement as the midfield continually fed him in the area and the Kazakhstan backline was unable to mark him. Carl Laurie added his 1st International goal when he deflected a cross from Poole home.

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Leyton Orient 2007-08 Summer Comings and Goings:
Coming to Orient:
Adam Roberts (Purchased from Charlton for 425K)
Matt Morris (Purchased from Chelsea for 800K)
Both Roberts and Morris are 16 yr olds who have a world of promise and might help the club in a couple seasons down the road. Roberts is an MC, while Morris is MRLC.
Kieran Richardson (Purchased from Manchester United for 1.1 Million)
Richardson is 22 yr old AML who is expected to take the place of Martijn Reuser on Orient's left wing.
Lionel Morgan (Purchased from Birmingham for 1.3 Million)
Morgan is a 24 yr old AML who should split time on Orient's left flank with Richardson.
Tommy Smith (Signed on free from Sunderland)
Smith is a 27 yr old FRC who should move right into Orient's forward rotation.
Stephen Pearson (Purchased from Wolves for 2.5 Million)
Likely Orient's most important signing is this 25 yr old MRLC who is certain to be in the Orient midfield to start the season.
Danilo Arrieta (Signed on free from Valencia)
Arrieta is a 20 yr old Danish FRLC that started showing flashes of his huge potential while on loan to Leeds last season. He is expected to also be part of the Orient forward rotation.
Frank Brands (Signed on free from Ajax)
Brands is a 21 yr old Dutch FRC that has shone brightly in their Under-21 matches and may work into the forward rotation.
Danny Guthrie (Signed on free after released by Liverpool)
Guthrie is a promising 20 yr old AMC who may earn his way into some senior playing time.

Goings:
Steve Baker Released on free
Michael Sisson Released on free
Mathieu Flamini Released on free
Shaun Marshall Released on free
Michele Gallacio Sold to QPR for 70K

Orient Lineup heading into 2007-08
GK- Tommy Lee, Per Morten Kristiansen, Daniel Carr
DL- Carl Laurie, Ryan Garry, Adrian Nevins
DR- Lee Sims, Mitchell Booth
DC- Titus Bramble, Mark Harding, Jon Spector, Michael Duberry, Clint Hill, Will Haining
ML- Bojan Djordjic, Kieran Richardson, Lionel Morgan
MR- Danny Byrne, Aaron Lennon, Darren Ambrose
MC- Stephen Pearson, David Livermore, Jody Morris, Markus Neumayr, Labinot Harbuzi, Danny Guthrie
SC- David Poole, Johann Torhallsson, Danilo Arrieta, Tommy Smith, Ramon Calliste, Erik Nevland, Frank Brands

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15.8.07
Leyton Orient (4) Litex (0) 1st Leg- 3rd Round Qualifying Champions Cup
Orient- D.Arrieta 18,26,86 D.Poole 54-P
Litex- None
MOM- Danilo Arrieta, Leyton Orient

In a magnificent personal debut, Danilo Arrieta notched a hat-trick as Orient enjoyed a magnificent European debut with a convincing 4-0 win over Bulgarian side Litex. The early moments of the match featured end-to-end action as Anatoli Todorov roamed forward for Litex, while David Poole and Arrieta scooted forward for Orient. Arrieta broke the ice when he scored after beating Zhivko Zhelev into the middle and taking an excellent pass from Poole. Danny Byrne had set the stage for the goal with a beautiful curling pass to find Poole in full stride. Kieran Richardson was the architect of the next goal as his vision found Arrieta breaking free of coverage. Arrieta took the ball around keeper Todor Kyuchukov for his 2nd of the match. Zhelev took Poole down, seemingly in frustration after Roson Kirilov had been redcarded for mouthing off at the referee. Poole converted the penalty for a 3-0 Orient lead. Arrieta capped off the match by completing his hat-trick late in the 2nd half when Poole headed a goal kick from Tommy Lee down the middle of the pitch. Arrieta was first to the ball and Zhelev couldn't make too determined a challenge because of his previous yellow card. Arrieta whistled a 20 yard shot that Kyuchukov got a piece of- but it trickled into the net.

***

"Pretty nice debut for Danilo (Arrieta)- he certainly will get his share of time up front for us- and I don't mind the loss of Torhallsson as much with him around," commented Drabek.

"I wondered why he picked us to sign with- I know Juventus offered him a contract too," said Field.

"Well, he knew his chances of actually playing were better here- and it is paying off for both him and us."

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18.8.07
Leyton Orient (5) Fulham (1)
Orient- D.Arrieta 28,33,40,45 D.Poole 44
Fulham- M.Tonge 72
MOM- Danilo Arrieta, Leyton Orient

It only took one match for Danilo Arrieta to make believers of Fulham. After a desultory first portion of the first half, the combo of Arrieta and David Poole set out to destroy the visitors. It was excellent teamwork that set up the first goal as Bojan Djordjic threw a pass into the left side of the area. Poole crossed over and picked up the ball, and then as coverage converged he passed into the middle for Arrieta to run onto it. Arrieta easily reached it first and had a simple finish against Edwin van der Sar. Stephen Pearson made a smart head ahead that went to Arrieta in the area and he snapped his shot home for his 2nd goal of the match. Arrieta finished off his hat-trick when Poole once again moved across the pitch and drew both defenders before finding Arrieta lurking in front of van der Sar. Arrieta took his time and whistled his shot for his third goal of the match. Danny Byrne's superb cross from the baseline set up Poole at the corner of the net and he rapped the ball past van der Sar for a 4-0 Orient lead. Arrieta capped off his terrific half when he had an easy time firing the ball inside the far post after Poole's blast was parried by van der Sar in first half injury time. Fulham managed a consolation goal when newly acquired Michael Tonge (purchased the day before the match) managed to knock a rebound past Tommy Lee. The 5-1 result was certain to catch the eyes of other EPL clubs.

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22.8.07
Manchester United (0) Leyton Orient (1)
Manchester- None
Orient- D.Poole 38
MOM- Tommy Lee, Leyton Orient

It must have been terribly difficult for the Old Trafford fans as they watched their youth program come to fruition- in the baby blue of Leyton Orient. Ex-ManU youngsters Tommy Lee, David Poole, Danny Byrne, Lee Sims, Kieran Richardson and Labinot Harbuzi all played important parts for Orient as they won out over favored ManU in a gritty 1-0 road victory. The lone goal of the match came when Carl Laurie stepped up and headed a Rio Ferdinand clearing pass to Stephen Pearson. Pearson made a brilliant touch pass that found David Poole onside behind Mickael Silvestre and Poole slotted a low shot past Fabien Barthez. ManU found Tommy Lee frustrating as Lee continued to prove his year of apprencticeship behind Per Morten Kristiansen is now paying big dividends. ManU could also blame their own poor finishing for the unfavorable result as Cristiano Ronaldo missed several golden chances and Sanli Tuncay also wasted a couple of prime opportunities. Orient's Mark Harding, their 18 year old defender who is turning heads with his play, made several superb plays to stop ManU down the stretch- including clearing two rebounds that bounced in front of the net and making an interception just when it appeared that Ruud van Nistlerooy would break in alone in the closing moments of the match.

***

"I have seen lots of good things already so far this season- but Tommy's play is among the best," commented Field.

Drabek nodded in agreement, "After he played so much better than Per (Morten Kristiansen) in the friendlies- I had to give him the starting role. I was surprised today that we couldn't get more breaks- we appeared to be running in slow motion despite some pace advantage that we had over them. Ah well, at least we got the win- that was a superb play by Pearson, I have really enjoyed seeing how he and Bojan (Djordjic) fit together in the center midfield for us."