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Writer's pictureEthan Grande

12 Northampton vs LEYTON ORIENT-Preview


At today's game the clubs pay tribute to remember Justin Edinburgh.



Justin Edinburgh, an Essex born boy who played for Tottenham for 10 seasons making over 200 Appearances. Edinburgh lead Tottenham to an F.A Cup glory in 1991 and also the League cup in 1999. Before Edinburgh signed for Tottenham, he played for Southend for 3 seasons in division 3 and 4 makings just under 50 appearances for them. After he left Tottenham, he went to Portsmouth where he made over 60 appearances for them.

In 2003 Edinburgh hung up his boots and became manager of Billericay Town and was there for 3 seasons. He also managed Fisher Athletic and Grays Athletic. In 2009 Edinburgh became the manager of Northamptonshire side Rushden and Diamonds, he kept them in the Conference prem for all the time he was there. He left the Diamonds in 2011 and became the manager of Newport County and took them to 14th in League two. In 2015 Edinburgh went to League One side Gillingham and was there for over 2 years. On the 16th of January 2017, Edinburgh joined the Cobblers in league one.

In November 2017, he joined Leyton Orient where he guided them to the top of the National League winning the Division and promotion back to the Football League in the 2018–19 campaign.


To pay tribute, the club has several activities planned on Saturday. These will include a pre-match period of applause, a collection to support the Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation, the charity set up by Justin's family in his memory, and several programme articles looking back on and celebrating Justin's life and in particular his time at Northampton Town. Justin's picture will also be on the cover of Saturday's match programme.


Head To Head

The Last time the Cobblers Met Orient;

Northampton made it seven straight wins and remained five points clear at the top of League Two as they brushed aside play-off hopefuls Leyton Orient.


Rod McDonald opened the scoring with an overhead kick from close range.

Ricky Holmes doubled the advantage with a volley from 20 yards before a late James Collins double sealed the game.

Northampton, who are 15 points ahead of fourth-placed Wycombe, also have a game in hand on their closest challengers Plymouth.


Leyton Orient player-manager Kevin Nolan told BBC Radio London:

"Not good enough, simple as. I thought Northampton were fantastic. They showed us what it takes if you want to be getting out of this division.

"We matched them in the first half but they contained us. They made us look ordinary in the second half.

"If you want to hit the heights and try and get out this league that's where you've got to get to."


Northampton manager Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Northampton:

"There was nothing in the game in the first half, we had to endure a little bit of pressure - it was scrappy.

"We are there to be shot at and we understand that. Being top of the league, we have to handle that.

"Sometimes you need a little bit of magic to get you going. As soon as Rod produced a goal we were comfortable.

"We played like a side that really believes in themselves and drove the game forward."


Last six home games

Heres a reminder of what happened the last time Orient visited the PTS Academy Stadium.


Two goals in a dramatic injury time saw Northampton Town go in front, only to draw with Leyton Orient.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed in Joel Byrom's corner in the third minute of stoppage time before O's midfielder Dean Cox's final-minute free-kick.

Town keeper Adam Smith had put in a man-of-the-match display to keep out several second-half chances for Orient.


Ollie Palmer and Jay Simpson were both denied by stunning saves from Smith after two good efforts.


Alex Cisak was in similar form in Orient's goal, saving a shot from Alfie Potter with his legs.

Meanwhile, Northampton confirmed before kick-off that midfielder Paul Corry is likely to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.


Last time out

Keith Curle again named an unchanged side for the trip to Morecambe with Reece Hall-Johnson and Harry Smith, back from injury and suspension respectively, named on the bench.


Morecambe’s A-Jay Leitch-Smith drew an early save from David Cornell but with 20 minutes played it was the Cobblers who made the breakthrough, Jordan Turnbull heading home a Nicky Adams corner.


Turnbull was enjoying a good afternoon and he was on target again before half-time, finding the bottom corner with a low shot from 25-yards. Shaun Miller went close with a shot from distance before the break but it was the Cobblers who almost extended their lead, an Andy Williams header hitting the top of the crossbar as the first half drew to a close.

Harry Smith replaced Michael Harriman at half-time while in the opening exchanges of the second half, Scott Wharton flicked a corner just over and Joe Martin saw a free-kick go close as the Cobblers continued to press for a third goal.

Not for the first time this season Nicky Adams was denied by the woodwork after curling a shot against the bar before Reece Hall-Johnson made his playing return from injury with Andy Williams making way. Following a lengthy delay after the assistant referee picked up an injury and had to be replaced by the fourth official Morecambe pulled a goal back, substitute Adam Buxton with a low strike into the bottom corner from 25-yards.

The goal visibly lifted the home side and but for a superb save from Cornell to turn behind a shot from Leitch-Smith the scores would have been level. An incredible ten minutes of stoppage time was signalled and Morecambe was back on level terms when another substitute, Kevin Ellison tucked the ball home from close range.

There was still plenty of time for more drama though and the Cobblers went agonisingly close to re-taking the lead when they were again denied by the woodwork, a Sam Hoskins flick coming back off the bar. Hall-Johnson also went agonisingly close with a volley just wide but with both sides pushing for a winner the points were shared.



O’s midfielder Josh Wright was the hero in E10 once again as his 94th-minute header snatched a point in an enthralling encounter with Port Vale this afternoon.


It was a carnival atmosphere at The Breyer Group Stadium as drums and trumpets from Waltham Forest’s Borough of Culture 2019 celebrations filled the air prior to kick-off.

‘Carnival Fantastico’ didn’t stop when the whistle was blown though, Wright heading home after just three minutes. Conor Wilkinson picked the ball up on the right flank and floated a cross towards Wright in the middle and the midfielder headed into the bottom corner, sparking a vibrant of noise around the stadium.

John Askey’s visitors haven’t had a great start to life on the road but their determination to change that was clear to see as they battled hard to get a quick equaliser, Tom Pope rising highest in the 15th minute to meet David Worrall’s dangerous cross but heading just over.

The Vale did secure their equaliser in the 24th minute, despite Dan Happe appearing to be pulled down as Worrall entered the box, Gibbons’ shot forced a good save from Dean Brill but the rebound by substitute Scott Burgess was deflected past the O’s stopper.

It was unrelenting pressure from the visitors as we reached the midway point of the first half and while one corner was just about cleared away by Ekpiteta, the follow-up dropped to veteran defender Leon Legge to side-foot the Valiants ahead.

Gibbons almost found the net himself after 37 minutes as he picked up the ball in space and hit a driven effort towards the far post, flying just millimetres wide.

The O’s forced a good save from Scott Brown just minutes before the break, Louis Dennis stepping up to a free-kick around 30-yards from goal and his effort was heading into the bottom corner but for Brown’s save.

Matt Harrold replaced Marvin Ekpiteta at the interval as the O’s moved to a defensive back-four for the second half.

Dan Happe celebrated his 21st birthday and he had the perfect opportunity to celebrate from a Josh Wright corner as he lost his marker but he placed his header over the bar.

The O’s did equalise in the 60th minute as a George Marsh cross into a crowded penalty-area was headed away, only into the path of Conor Wilkinson at the edge of the box, he took one touch and curled it into the far top corner to celebrate his second goal in as many games.


That goal sparked the Breyer Group Stadium into life as an edge developed amidst the big atmosphere, Gibbons and Legge were booked for the visitors for an off-the-ball incident with Wilkinson, who was also carded, before Louis Dennis saw yellow moments later for a late challenge.

A rare foray forward in the second half for the visitors saw David Worrall prod wide at the back post after a dangerous cross.

However, their next voyage forward appeared to prove costly for the O’s as they failed to clear a set-piece in the box and Jake Taylor came up with a moment of magic to curl an effort into the far top corner. A wonderful goal but a bitter blow for the O’s who’d been so good throughout the second half.


However, six minutes of added time provided some hope for the O’s and it was Josh Wright who came up with the goods again, Maguire-Drew sending in a great cross and the midfielder was there to direct a brilliant header in off the post! That goal was Wright’s fourth of the season, all coming in E10.

Conor Wilkinson almost won the game in the final moments as he curled an effort from distance towards the far corner which forced an excellent fist away from Scott Brown.

The whistle went after a thrilling second-half with the Orient gaining a point that their strength of character deserved.


Match Officials

TONY HARRINGTON

Darren Blunden and Timothy Wood

Fourth Official: Ian Cooper


Harrington has predominantly refereed in the Championship this season, overseeing 5 games in the second tier of English football, as well as one League One and one EFL cup game.

In those games, Harrington has issued 16 bookings and just one sending-off.



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