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Orient’s pre-season tour of Finland got off to a winning start with an entertaining 3-2 victory against third-tier side FC Ilves.
Dean Cox, Alex Revell and Charlie Daniels scored the goals as Russell Slade’s side took the lead on three occasions.
Cox and Daniels combined just before half time to see the winger put the O’s in front before the home side levelled on the hour mark.
Revell restored the lead on 75 minutes but Orient were caught napping as Ilves equalised just a minute later.
With ten minutes remaining, Daniels handed Orient the win, putting the visitors back in front from the penalty spot.
The O’s were without Elliot Omozusi, Jake Argent, Jamie Cureton and Terrell Forbes who have missed the tour through injury.
Revell and Jonathan Téhoué led the line up front for the tourists, while young keeper Lee Butcher was handed another start between the sticks.
Slade also took the chance to cast his eye over three trialists, with Reading centre back Jack Mills handed a start, while Kieran Djilali, scorer of two goals at Braintree, and former Newcastle defender Matthew Grieve were on the bench.
Orient made a much brighter start than they did on Tuesday and went close through Téhoué as early as the third minute, while Cox headed Leon McSweeney’s cross just wide of the post 25 minutes in.
Cox went close again shortly after but it was third time lucky for the wide man as he latched on to Daniels’ pass to put the visitors in front.
The Finns put up a fight in the second half as Jaako Ruuskanen went close on 53 minutes before levelling shortly after, capitalising as the O’s failed to deal with a cross from the left.
Slade’s men hit back straight away with both McSweeney and Cox seeing chances saved by last-ditch defending.
They retook the lead on 75 minutes though – Djalili making the most of the opportunity to impress again as the former Crystal Palace midfielder crossed for Revell to finish.
In a frantic five-minute period though, Ilves hit back through Matti Jokinen, before substitute George Porter was brought down in the box, leaving Daniels to complete the scoring and seal the win.
The O’s will now meet SJK on Tuesday as they look to continue their promising start to the season’s preparations.
Orient: Lee Butcher, Leon McSweeney, Scott Cuthbert, Jack Mills, Charlie Daniels, Marc Laird, Matthew Spring, Stephen Dawson, Dean Cox, Alex Revell, Jonathan Téhoué.
Subs: Tom Lovelock (GK), Matthew Grieve, George Porter, Moses Odubajo, Kieran Djilali, Mike Cestor.
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