Orient’s Rob Hunt initially put them in the lead at Sixfields, but Northampton Town quickly responded with two goals from Sam Hoskins after halftime.
The situation changed when Northampton’s Kieron Bowie received a straight red card, and Orient managed to secure a point in stoppage time thanks to Shaq Forde.
Wellens expressed his thoughts on the club’s website, saying, “Over the last 18 months or so, we’ve never given up. This is something I wouldn’t have expected from the group of players I have.”
He praised the team’s professionalism, determination, and hard work, emphasizing their resilience. Wellens acknowledged a slow start but also the team’s ability to dominate and score a great goal.
He characterized a brief period as “wacky,” citing it as an example of the young players’ learning curve and the need to stand by them during their development. Wellens felt they should have earned three points but recognized the importance of improving decision-making and scoring more goals to achieve their goals.
Orient faced early pressure but saw Rob Hunt score his first goal for the club in the 14th minute. Idris El Mizouni and Jordan Graham forced saves from Lee Burge before halftime in an effort to extend their lead.
Hoskins equalized with a deflected effort that looped over Sol Brynn and later put Northampton ahead from the penalty spot. Bowie’s red card just before the hour allowed Orient to capitalize on their numerical advantage, with Forde scoring in injury time.
Wellens expressed a desire to compete at the top end of the league but acknowledged the team’s youth and the need for improved decision-making. He pointed out other teams like Portsmouth and Bolton, which might have capitalized on such situations, and highlighted the team’s potential for improvement and development.
He mentioned that despite a challenging start to the season, they are on a positive streak, and the players’ coachability and desire to learn make them a pleasure to work with. Wellens stressed their commitment to continuous improvement and development.
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