Super-sub Samuel Hincapie-Alfonso inspired an incredible second half comeback and scored the winning goal for Town to land an impressive 3-2 victory over Leyton Orient at Buckhurst Hill
A brace from Dawid Gawel and a late tap-in from Hincapie-Alfonso ensured the Hatters would bring three points back to Bedfordshire in an entertaining away-day affair against an in-form Orient side.
It was an open game from both sides in the first half, with Nassim El Gourja testing the O’s goalkeeper from the edge of the box, before Gawel raced through on goal to put his effort just over the crossbar. Town would rue those missed opportunities when Jacob Lowe scored the opening goal for the hosts just past the half hour mark.
Turning to the bench at half time would prove inspired from manager Joe Deeney as substitute Hincapie-Alfonso immediately made the difference just a minute after the restart; aggressively winning the ball back high up the pitch for midfielder Ty Lesser, whose composed through ball found Gawel in the box before the striker lashed home an excellent finish to draw Town level.
Just minutes later, Hincapie-Alfonso proved effective yet again, charging down Orient to win the ball back in the home side’s penalty area before finding Gawel who slotted an excellent low finish into the back of the net.
As time ticked on the game sprung into life, Lowe scoring the equaliser after Town were unable to clear their lines effectively enough, allowing the striker to score his second goal of the game.
That wouldn’t keep The Hatters down though, and with just 20 minutes remaining they would find their winner. A neat ball through to Gawel from playmaker Archie Shepherd would allow the striker to get round the defence and power a low cross into the area, with the O’s goalkeeper unable to stop the ball from reaching Hincapie-Alfonso who bundled home from just a few yards out.
TOWN: Booth, Trialist, Trialist, Kwame Anson, Roberts-Edema, Passley-James, El Gourja (sub Hincapie-Alfonso 45), Fox, Lesser, Shepherd, Gawel
Match Report: Liam Wilmot
