Leyton Orient kept their play-off dreams alive with a narrow 1-0 victory over Stevenage at Brisbane Road, thanks to an early strike from in-form striker Charlie Kelman.
Kelman scored his 15th League One goal of the campaign – and fourth in three games – to secure a vital three points for Richie Wellens’ men, who now sit just two points behind sixth-placed Huddersfield Town. But there was concern late on as the talisman limped off in the closing stages.
The match’s decisive moment came in the 12th minute. A volleyed ball into the box by Sean Clare was instinctively flicked into the far corner by Kelman, giving goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray no chance. It was a brilliant example of the kind of movement and confidence that has defined the 23-year-old’s outstanding season.
Stevenage apply pressure but can’t find breakthrough
After falling behind early, Stevenage gradually took control. Dan Kemp almost capitalised on a sloppy backpass, Brandon Hanlan volleyed wide, and Jamie Reid struck the side netting as the visitors pressed for a leveller. Josh Keeley, however, stood firm in the Orient goal, making two excellent saves in the final minutes – first from Harvey White and then diving low to deny Elliott List deep into stoppage time.
While Stevenage dominated the second half, they couldn’t find a way past a determined Orient defence. The hosts may have lacked their usual attacking spark, but they showed defensive steel and game management to see out a hard-fought win.
Kelman, however, appeared to feel discomfort late in the game and was withdrawn as a precaution. He was able to walk unaided around the pitch after full-time, offering hope that the knock is nothing more than minor.
Kelman key to Orient’s revival
The QPR loanee has been central to Orient’s upturn in form, which has seen them bounce back from a five-game losing streak with back-to-back wins against Blackpool and Stevenage. That poor run had threatened to end their promotion hopes, but they now look firmly back in the mix with eight matches left to play.
Kelman’s 19-goal tally in all competitions is the highest of his career, with only Wycombe’s Richard Kone and Birmingham’s Jay Stansfield scoring more in League One. If he stays fit, he could be the catalyst for a late-season surge into the play-offs.
Site opinion
Kelman’s opener summed up everything good about Orient’s promotion ambitions – sharp, decisive, and efficient. While they’ll need to improve creatively in the final third, the ability to grind out wins when under pressure can’t be understated. The injury scare is a concern, but if the O’s keep picking up points and Kelman stays on the pitch, this campaign might yet have a thrilling finish at Huddersfield written all over it.
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