The former Stevenage ace reflected on the 3-0 victory over Dover Athletic

Charlie Lee believes Leyton Orient’s fitness will prove a real positive for the club this season in the National League.

Justin Edinburgh’s team have enjoyed a fine start to the new campaign and sit in fifth position after seven games with 13 points to their name.

Orient have won three times and drawn the other four to be one of only three teams still to taste defeat this term.

Last time out, the O’s saw off Dover Athletic 3-0 on Bank Holiday Monday days after fighting back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Gateshead on Saturday.

Midfielder Lee said: “Let’s make no bones about it, we are definitely one of the fittest teams in the league.

“I don’t want to judge everyone else too much, but I would be surprised if there are boys in other teams who can run like our lads.

“Our fitness is definitely one of our strengths and we will not be ashamed to use it and two games in three days probably does suit us, but you still need to go out there and do it and we were very good against Dover.”

Not only were Orient impressive against the Whites, but so was Lee, who produced his best display in an O’s shirt.

The 31-year-old was everywhere and, alongside Craig Clay, helped the in-form hosts implement their style of play on the fixture with Dover.

Lee added: “We are really pleased because we dominated the game for the majority of the 90 minutes.

“I think we have been very good this season in spells like either a first half or a second half or late on, but we have never fully committed to the whole match.

“It is something which has frustrated us, but I felt we did it for the full 90 against Dover and we can all go home and be really pleased.”

Another thing to note from the Bank Holiday win was the way O’s finally discovered their clinical edge.

In previous matches, they have failed to make the most of their opportunities, but they ended with a bang on Monday.

Josh Koroma made it 2-0 with a fine finish late on before substitute Matt Harrold powered home a header in stoppage time to add a cherry on top of a strong display.

“Winning 1-0, we didn’t really want to hold on because we have conceded late a few times this season, so we put pressure on ourselves to get the second and third goals and we did it. We are really pleased,” Lee said.

As things stand Orient looked well place for a top-seven finish and although there is a long, long way to go, there is plenty of positivity in the air. Long may it continue!