Aaron Connolly was in confrontation with angry fans as Leyton Orient find themselves still in a relegation battle after defeat to Blackpool.
Will Dennis’ own goal from on 22 minutes proved to be the difference, with the result seeing the Tangerines up into 13th, while Leyton Orient are now two points above the drop zone. Orient are now 20th with 51 points from 45 games played.
Peterborough’s remaining gamesTue 28 Apr (H) Mansfield Town – 7.45pmSat 2 May (H) Doncaster Rovers – 3pm
Leyton Orient’s remaining gamesSat 2 May (H) Burton Albion – 3pm
Exeter’s remaining gamesSat 2 May (H) Bradford City – 3pm
Connolly arguing with his own fans 😲🫢 #blackpool #orient #efl pic.twitter.com/VYpbmgDSbf
— Luke 🍊 (@Lukeyjb4) April 25, 2026
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens had a good view of the pitch as he’s serving a 3 match touchline ban 😬#utmp #LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/ssOVTLtZNv
— AllAboutLeagueOne (@LeagueOne25) April 25, 2026
Hello, is that whitesides taxi’s pic.twitter.com/0svGK21Kyt
— Mark (@Markobfc) April 25, 2026
Leyton Orient assistant coach Paul Terry said, per Limerick Live: “I don’t think it’s a penalty but we gave the referee a decision to make by letting runners run off us – if you’re giving that today then you’re giving three or four penalties a game.
“There’s not a lot of positives to take out of today because we weren’t good enough. We didn’t start the game well enough; we started very slow. We’ve got to be front-footed, and take the game to teams and really put it on them.
“We didn’t do that at all today. We gave it a go in the last 20 minutes, but you can’t do that in the position we’re in, it’s not enough.
“We had one shot on target – it’s not good enough. In the position we’re in – it’s not good enough. We’ve got to be better.
“They’re giving everything, they’re just not getting their rewards at the minute. We’ve all got to stick together. Stick together, and let’s get through this.
“No matter how bad today was, they’ve got to lift themselves and each other.”
Blackpool’s Ian Evatt: “We just wanted to take care of our own business today, and make sure we weren’t reliant on anyone else.
“It’s a strange feeling I’ve got to say. I’m proud of the players and the fans for the atmosphere and the togetherness we have created – through adversity, you build strength and character.
“However this isn’t a celebration. I can’t celebrate this achievement because it’s not where I want to be as a coach, and it’s not where this club deserves to be.
“We’ve managed to get the results to make sure we’re in League One, but this isn’t what I want for this football club moving forwards. I don’t want to be fighting at this end of the division, we deserve better and demand better.
“We want better but know we’ve got to earn it. Maybe this experience will make it all the more sweeter when we do earn it. We’ll be back in the summer working hard for next season.
“We’ll enjoy achieving what we’ve achieved, but it certainly won’t be a celebration.”
🗣️ “Everyone has stepped forward when they needed to this season – players, staff and supporters. That gives me a real sense of pride.”
Ian Evatt reflects on today’s victory in our final home game of the season.
🍊 #UTMP | @sbk pic.twitter.com/aID0N5iYuO
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) April 25, 2026
Here’s how fans reacted after seeing Aaron Connolly in confrontation with angry fans, and Leyton Orient still in relegation battle…
@DoeLewis: @OrientOutlook Wellens, Connolly, Perkins, they can all mouth off as much as they want. They’ll be long gone and regardless of which division we’re in, Orient will keep going. We always do #lofc
@TXTREV: Not seen players and manager disrespect the fans as much as this mob
@LofcRhys: Absolutely tinpot. Idiot ‘fans’ giving it to our best player at FT btw. #lofc
@LofcRhys: At least 3 of them saying “Tear up Conolly’s contract”.
@shughe02: Think it’s just abit of misdirected anger to be honest, fans have every right to give stick to a team who’s had piss poor results recently
@WestRyderP: Anyone calling out Connolly is a cunt. About 20 players deserve stick and he gets it?
@Blackpoolfc0702: Don’t blame him he was getting loads of abuse and he was class id sign him
@Jakecattanach3: Someone was doing hand gestures at him and then defended himself, apparently anyway, one of the only players who puts a shift in.
@TrousersTechno: At least it shows he cares. He was one of the good performers anyway
@Tron1786937: Can’t stand to see us like this, just let the season end already`
@samsamermani456: I saw the cunts who were doing this and they were dressed as Mario and Luigi. Have some fuckin shame, especially towards the guy who was our best player yesterday
@Matthew81402115 : Just want this shit season to end and pray this bloke is around next year
@DerryKris: He just put in 2nd best perf behind Dennis,played 90mins when prob not. Ready too, makes his way over to thank for their support on his own to begin with and is met by abuse and hand gestures by some, think I would react the same.Wears his heart on his sleeve. Want afew more like him
