The home crowd were electric as Braintree got the game underway. With a three point advantage at the top of the table, any points earned would see the hosts seal promotion and the National League title.
Justin Edinburgh opted for the same side which started at Solihull, showing belief in his team to get the job done.
Marvin Ekpiteta had the first sniff at goal following a James Brophy corner. The ball bobbled along the six-yard box before the defender slid in to fire home, but a sky blue shirt stood firmly in the way.
Braintree boss Danny Searle was forced into an early change, as Robert Atkinson left the pitch with an injury and was replaced by Oscar Borg.
Stubborn Defence
A bright start from the O’s was well expected, but the league leaders couldn’t sculpt a clear cut opportunity in the opening 15 minutes despite dominating possession.
The pace of the game slowed during the following 15 minutes. Braintree were enjoying more of the ball though offered nothing offensively as the trio of Ekpiteta, Josh Coulson and Dan Happe stood firm.
Captain Jobi McAnuff had the crowd on the edge of their seats as he opened his body to curl home from 18-yards. The skipper’s right footed effort seemed to be blocked by the arm of a Braintree defender, though nothing was given by referee Josh Smith as the sides remained level at the break.
Clearer Chances
Orient got the second half underway as 45 minutes stood between them and an eagerly-awaited return to the Football League.
The O’s almost capitalised on an opening when Craig Clay threaded a pass through for Brophy who beat the offside trap, but his cutback from the by-line was smothered by visiting keeper Ben Killip.
Next, Clay’s eyes would have lit up when the ball rolled kindly for him on the edge of the penalty area, however the tenacious midfielder could not keep his shot down.
Close Call
On the hour mark, Orient thought they had found that much needed opening goal. Joe Widdowson pulled the ball back for Clay, his shot was blocked and fell to Bonne whose close range finish was ruled out for offside.
At the other end, Braintree came close to spoiling the party. A low cross into the box caused havoc, bouncing off Andrew Eleftheriou and into the grateful clutches of O’s goalkeeper Dean Brill.
With twenty minutes remaining, Orient made their first change of the afternoon. Skipper McAnuff received a standing ovation as he left the field of play, handing the armband over to Charlie Lee who came on in his place.
Party Time
As news filtered through that Salford were trailing Hartlepool, the Orient faithful erupted into a chorus of song. The National League title and promotion were only fifteen minutes away.
Edinburgh made two changes in quick succession during the final ten minutes. Matt Harrold replaced Josh Koroma before Jordan Maguire-Drew came on for Brophy.
After three minutes of additional time, the referee’s whistle saw jubilant and emotional scenes as fans, players and staff celebrated Orient’s return to the Football League after two seasons away.
Match Stats
ORIENT: Brill, Turley, Ekpiteta, Coulson, Happe, Widdowson, Clay, McAnuff (Lee 71’) Brophy (Maguire-Drew 88’), Koroma (Harrold 84’), Bonne.
SUBS: Sargeant, Simpson.
GOALS:
BOOKED: Clay (6’), Ekpiteta (51’)
BRAINTREE: Killip, Eleftheriou, Karic, Henry, Richards, Lyons-Foster, Matsuzaka, Sogaf, James, Atkinson (Borg 7’), Allen (Cerulli 78’)
SUBS: Temple, Eze, Gipson.
GOALS:
BOOKED: Allen (27’), Borg (64’)
REF: Josh Smith
Attendance: 8,241 (171 Braintree)
