Leyton Orient boss so proud of club on emotional day

Flowers were laid and a minute’s applause held before kick-off to remember long-time O’s supporter Derek Reynolds, who passed away after being taken ill during their midweek match against Lincoln City.

And George Moncur struck in the last minute of normal time to secure a 2-1 victory for the home side, as they climbed up to ninth in the League One table.

“Really emotional,” Wellens told the club website.

“I thought the club as a whole, from the moment Derek’s family led the players out to the very last steps the players walked on the pitch and applauded his family, I think it’s a brilliant day for the club.

“A brilliant day to remember a lifelong supporter who has worked for the club, so I couldn’t be prouder of the whole club.

“It just goes to show again how many good people we’ve got at this club.”

O’s made a bright start, with Joe Pigott having a header tipped onto the crossbar, before Jordan Brown fired them in front.

But Reading were soon back on level terms as Tyler Bindon found the net after Dom Ballard’s header hit a post.

“For the first half an hour it was total dominance,” added Wellens.

“We made a load of chances, we hit the crossbar, there were loads of ricochets in and around their six-yard box. I thought we were really dominant.

“But once we go 1-0 up they change a little bit, the press became different and we’re still trying to play and they blocked us up a little bit.

“We’re an emerging team, we’re still young and a bit naive in certain moments. Tactically we have to get better while the game is happening.

“But I can’t be prouder of the players, the points return in the last eight or nine games has been really good, so another good day for us.”

As to what happens with regards to the abandoned Lincoln City fixture, in which O’s were leading 1-0, Wellens admitted he does not know at this point.

But he hopes the win over Reading was a fitting tribute to the late Reynolds.

“In terms of what happens, is the last thing on my mind over the last 72 hours. We leave it to the EFL and whatever they decide we respect,” he said.

“It has been a tough 72 hours for everybody, the players, the staff, emotionally, in terms of me motivating myself to get going, yesterday [Friday] to take the team I found it really tough.

“But when you come in and work with good people, good staff, good players, good people around the club, they lift you and hopefully today everybody has been lifted.

“And hopefully that was a performance and last-minute winner to remember Derek’s memory.”