11:06am Thursday 24th July 2008
ORIENT new boy Simon Dawkins was happy to kick off his O's career with a goal in the club's 4-1 win over Dagenham and Redbridge, writes Craig Rodhouse.
The on-loan 20-year-old striker from Spurs scored Orient's fourth on the night and was clearly pleased to mark his first appearance for the east Londoners with a goal.
He said: "It was my first game with Leyton Orient and I'm pleased to get it under my belt and I got a goal as well which was very good.”
And Dawkins - who missed a great chance earlier in the game - seemed delighted that he was able to make amends for his earlier mistake.
"I tried to slot it past him with the first one and it went just wide but you have to keep going and I was pleased the second one went in."
Dawkin's striker partner at the time, Adam Boyd, scored a great goal on the night and Dawkins was pleased with the part he played in the goal.
"We've been working in training with one-two's in and around the box, I saw his run and I managed play the ball into him and he surprised a lot of people with the finish but it wasn't unexpected from Boydy because he does it all the time in training."
And after missing the O's two previous friendlies, Dawkins is now ready to kick on at Brisbane Road.
"I was disappointed when I was in Belgium, I picked up an ankle injury and it put me out for the game and the match after that on Saturday at Boston. But I'm back now and I'm thinking forward and ready to kick on with the games coming up."