Mike Dodds hails Wycombe’s young guns after cup win at Orient

Head coach Mike Dodds praised 16-year old Cameron Stones as his Wycombe side left it late to beat Leyton Orient 1-0 in the Carabao Cup.

An own goal by Jack Simpson in stoppage time was enough to send the Chairboys through, but Dodds was quick to highlight debutant Stones and fellow youngster Arthur Gregory, who came on as a substitute.

Dodds said: “We’ve got a 16-year-old in Stones leading the line, we’ve got a 17-year-old in Gregory coming onto the pitch.

“It doesn’t get much better in terms of winning the game, keeping a clean sheet and seeing two academy boys on the pitch.”

Demetri Mitchell had to clear a Dan Casey header off the line from a fifth-minute corner.

The returning Magnus Westergaard almost punished Orient a minute into the second half when he pounced on a defensive mix-up, but he put his shot into the side-netting.

With the game in time added on and heading to penalties, James Tilley ran down the right and crossed low, with captain Simpson unable to get his feet out of the way.

Orient head coach Richie Wellens was disappointed but pleased he was able to give some fringe players a run-out.

He said: “There were probably seven or eight of our players who needed that game. When you’re in the first round of this cup you obviously want to get through.

“But it’s more important to put them in the right place and give them an opportunity to play.”