‘What was that?’ – EFL defender comes on, gives away penalty, makes ‘brutal mistake’ then subbed back off after 12 mins

LEYTON ORIENT defender James Morris endured a nightmare cameo during his side’s opening day 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. The former Watford full-back started the contest on the bench with Ipswich loanee Somto Boniface preferred at left-back. James Morris was in opening day action for Leyton Orient Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Morris endured a nightmare cameo against Sheffield Wednesday Credit: FotMob Morris, 24, replaced Boniface when the 20-year-old was forced off with an injury on 61 minutes. After an awful cameo, the defender was himself replaced just 12 minutes later. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Barely five minutes after coming on and with the score level at 1-1, Morris tugged Jamal Lowe down in the box. Lowe coolly converted from the spot, and things nearly got even worse for Morris just a few minutes later. As a high ball bounced just inside his own half, hesitant Morris tried to head it back to his goalkeeper Nathan Baxter. The pass was woefully short, however, allowing Barry Bannan to scurry onto it and round Baxter… only for the Scot to sensationally miss an open goal. Despite getting away with Morris’ second blunder, boss Richie Wellens had seen enough and decided to replace him with Nicholas Oyekunle. Orient had gone behind in the first half in similarly farcical circumstances, as keeper Baxter’s clearance struck Callum Slattery and floated in. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Morris conceded a penalty against the Owls Credit: Alamy Joseph Olowu equalised on 26 minutes following a cross from a drop ball. Orient pushed for another leveller late on, but ultimately fell to a 2-1 defeat. Discussing the match, boss Wellens told the BBC: “First half we saw loads and loads of good signs. We could have scored another couple more, should have scored a couple more “And then we have a crazy 20 minutes, mistake after mistake. They probably could have scored four or five and it’s all through our mistakes. “We’re heading it back, we’re passing it back to the goalkeeper, we give a stupid penalty away. “I’ll take the blame because I probably should have changed it two or three minutes earlier.” On Morris’ nightmare afternoon, Wellens added “I don’t want to blame anyone, he’s put in, in a difficult period – I’ll take accountability because I should have gone to a back five and give them a little bit of protection on the right hand side. “When we give a penalty away, and then there’s another mistake, I have to then try and win the game, throw on a more attacking wing-back. “Morro has done well for us since he signed. He’ll recover from this and he’ll get better.” Fans couldn’t believe what they had seen from the defender, with one writing on social media: “WHAT was that performance by Morris? He was solid last season and pre-season.” Another brutally added: “James Morris with potentially the worst 10 minute cameo I have ever seen in an Orient shirt…” Morris will potentially have an opportunity to atone on Tuesday, as Orient host AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Trophy. Richie Wellens took responsibility for the defeat Credit: Alamy Comment now