League Two
Leyton OrientLeyton Orient1CheltenhamCheltenham Town0

Leyton Orient 1-0 Cheltenham Town: Justin Edinburgh remembered before opening-day win

Justin Edinburgh mosaic
The mosaic included the number three, which Justin Edinburgh wore during his playing career

Leyton Orient paid tribute to former boss Justin Edinburgh before beating Cheltenham in their opening League Two game.

Former Tottenham full-back Edinburgh died in June aged 49, five days after suffering a cardiac arrest during a visit to the gym and just over a month after leading Orient to the National League title.

Fittingly, it was Josh Wright - the last player signed by Edinburgh - who scored the winning goal to defeat the Robins, who ended the match with nine men.

Veteran striker Luke Varney was sent off for two bookable offences and midfielder Rohan Ince was dismissed shortly afterwards.

Wright had agreed to return to Orient from Bradford before Edinburgh's death and pointed to the sky after his close-range finish, before celebrating with a shirt with Edinburgh's name printed on it.

Remembering Justin

Two flags, including one paid for by money raised by two Cheltenham supporters' groups, were carried around the pitch before kick-off.

A minute's silence was also held, while home supporters held up banners to create a "JE3" mosaic.

Asked if he thought Edinburgh would have been proud of Orient's performance, interim head coach Ross Embleton said: "I hope so. We certainly are."

He told BBC Radio London: "There were any number of players that, had they scored, they would have dedicated it to the gaffer.

"But at the same time, with Josh's history, coming back here and making his first start in the Football League for us, I'm delighted for him."

The Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation was set up by his family during the summer.

In June, Edinburgh's son Charlie told BBC Essex they would campaign to change the law regarding access to defibrillators at sports facilities, and also raise awareness about heart and cardiac issues.

Justin Edinburgh flag
Two Cheltenham fans' groups raised the £500 required to produce their tribute flag in five hours
Justin Edinburgh minute's silence
A minute's silence was held before Orient's first match at League Two level since 2017
Josh Wright
Josh Wright previously played under Justin Edinburgh at Gillingham
Charlie Edinburgh on Twitter
Justin Edinburgh's son Charlie said on Twitter that "there were tears" when Josh Wright scored Orient's winning goal
Ross Embleton
Ross Embleton, previously Edinburgh's assistant, guided Orient to victory in his first game as interim head coach

Line-ups

Leyton Orient

Formation 3-5-2

  • 1BrillSubstituted forSargeantat 13'minutes
  • 5Ekpiteta
  • 6Coulson
  • 15Happe
  • 2Ling
  • 10Maguire-DrewSubstituted forDennisat 90+5'minutes
  • 8Clay
  • 44Wright
  • 16Brophy
  • 19Angol
  • 9WilkinsonSubstituted forAlabiat 84'minutes

Substitutes

  • 4Gorman
  • 12Sargeant
  • 14Judd
  • 17Dennis
  • 18Harrold
  • 20Sotiriou
  • 27Alabi

Cheltenham

Formation 3-5-2

  • 1Flinders
  • 5Raglan
  • 4Tozer
  • 15Boyle
  • 2Long
  • 11Broom
  • 23InceBooked at 72mins
  • 14SheafSubstituted forAddaiat 75'minutes
  • 17DebayoSubstituted forHusseyat 63'minutes
  • 10CampbellSubstituted forReillyat 67'minutes
  • 32VarneyBooked at 70mins

Substitutes

  • 3Hussey
  • 7Thomas
  • 8Clements
  • 16Addai
  • 20Reilly
  • 21Doyle-Hayes
  • 22Lovett
Referee:
Michael Salisbury
Attendance:
6,534

Match Stats

Home TeamLeyton OrientAway TeamCheltenham
Possession
Home65%
Away35%
Shots
Home12
Away3
Shots on Target
Home5
Away1
Corners
Home6
Away3
Fouls
Home6
Away19

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Leyton Orient 1, Cheltenham Town 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Leyton Orient 1, Cheltenham Town 0.

  3. Substitution

    Substitution, Leyton Orient. Louis Dennis replaces Jordan Maguire-Drew.

  4. Post update

    James Alabi (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Chris Hussey (Cheltenham Town).

  6. Post update

    Sam Ling (Leyton Orient) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  7. Post update

    Foul by Alex Addai (Cheltenham Town).

  8. Post update

    Corner, Cheltenham Town. Conceded by James Brophy.

  9. Post update

    Attempt saved. James Alabi (Leyton Orient) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jordan Maguire-Drew.

  10. Post update

    Attempt saved. Jordan Maguire-Drew (Leyton Orient) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Craig Clay.

  11. Post update

    Attempt blocked. James Brophy (Leyton Orient) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Josh Wright.

  12. Post update

    Attempt missed. James Alabi (Leyton Orient) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Craig Clay.

  13. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Josh Wright (Leyton Orient) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lee Angol.

  14. Post update

    Delay in match because of an injury Sam Ling (Leyton Orient).

  15. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Leyton Orient. James Alabi replaces Conor Wilkinson.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Marvin Ekpiteta (Leyton Orient).

  18. Post update

    William Boyle (Cheltenham Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Post update

    Corner, Leyton Orient. Conceded by William Boyle.

  20. Post update

    Corner, Leyton Orient. Conceded by William Boyle.