Marvin Ekpiteta fired Leyton Orient past title challengers Wrexham and back to the top of the National League with a 1-0 victory at The Breyer Group Stadium.
A 12:35 kick-off didn’t stop a massive crowd gathering in E10, even with the tie broadcast live on BT Sport. The Dragons got this highly anticipated fixture underway, playing in their white strip while the O’s beamed in their full-red kit.
Orient could throw league leaders Wrexham from top spot with a win and Craig Clay nearly gave his side the perfect start. Joe Widdowson’s corner a couple of minutes into the game fell kindly for the midfielder, who dragged an effort narrowly wide of Rob Lainton’s post.
Early Caution
Wrexham were forced into an early change when Brad Walker hobbled off after just six minutes, with boss Bryan Hughes introducing Bobby Grant in his place.
Ekpiteta picked up the game’s first booking moments later. The O’s centre back caught Ben Tollitt with a late challenge as the visitors threatened to break.
The latter would have the visitor’s first effort of the game shortly after, firing across goal after getting in behind Orient but not troubling Dean Brill as the ball flew a metre wide.
Pressure Mounts
Jay Simpson sparked the game into life with an intricate turn as he beat two defenders, before setting Jordan Maguire-Drew for a volley on the edge of the area which whistled wide of the mark.
Orient’s attack began to find rhythm in the latter stages of the half as Justin Edinburgh’s side looked to sneak a lead going into the break.
A couple of minutes from half-time, the O’s crafted another opening with some slick football. Genius skill from Simpson freed up Sam Ling in a dangerous area who clipped an early ball onto the head Macauley Bonne, but the striker’s effort looped agonisingly wide.
Heroic Defence
With the sides level, Clay kick-started the second half with Orient shooting towards the Tommy Johnston Stand.
Ling, who bagged his first professional goal for the club last time out, latched onto a searching ball from Dan Happe and controlled well before Lainton closed him down to deny a clear scoring opportunity.
Tollitt may have put Wrexham ahead from 10-yards, but the winger was closed out by an army of O’s defenders, with Ekpiteta making the all-important block in front of goal.
Golden Goal
Brophy, more natural on the left-flank, replaced Ling before the hour mark as Widdowson came across to right-wing back.
Ekpiteta would give the hosts a deserved lead after 72 minutes, smashing the ball home from 18-yards. Orient threatened in the area, with the ball trickling out to the defender who fired a half-volley from the edge of the area in off the post.
Both sides made changes in a bid to alter the fate of the game. Orient’s three centre-backs were put to the test as Wrexham peppered Brill’s box with crosses.
Pole Position
Edinburgh responded to Wrexham’s approach by introducing Josh Coulson from the bench to bolster his back-line ahead of six minutes stoppage time.
The expected wave of pressure commenced, Cole Stockton forced Brill into a smart save after taking aim from distance. Defending was resolute until the final whistle as Orient secured a massive three points; order was restored as the east-Londoners reclaimed top spot from their opposition.
Match Stats
Orient: Brill, Ling (Brophy 57’), Ekpiteta, Turley, Happe, Widdowson, McAnuff, Clay, Maguire-Drew (Coulson 88’), Bonne, Simpson (Harrold 84’)
Subs: Sargeant, Gorman.
Goals: Ekpiteta (72’)
Booked: Ekpiteta (7’), Happe (95’)
Wrexham: Lainton, Jennings, Pearson, Kennedy, Young, Rutherford, Walker (Grant 6’), Wright, Beavon (Oswell 71’), Tollitt (Stockton 82’), Lawlor.
Subs: Dibble, Roberts.
Goals:
Booked: Jennings (63’)
Referee: James Oldham
Attendance: 6,643 (941 Wrexham)
