Orient boss hails effort of Paul Tisdale’s Exeter and discusses the strength of the division

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Although Leyton Orient weren’t able to reach the third round of the FA Cup, various other League Two teams did and went on to impress.

The O’s head coach Ian Hendon praised the sides from the fourth tier of English football that competed at the weekend.

Exeter City, who come to Brisbane Road on Saturday, shined against Premier League side Liverpool to achieve a 2-2 draw and Wycombe Wanderers earned a replay with Aston Villa.

Northampton Town and Portsmouth held Championship teams MK Dons and Ipswich Town to ensure they would be in the hat for the fourth round.

The best of the lot was Oxford United beating Swansea City 3-2 on Sunday, though, and the Orient boss praised the efforts of their rivals.

Hendon said: “It is easy for people to say you don’t see much quality in League Two, but the FA Cup showed everybody that isn’t the case.

“Anybody can beat anyone in this division and there are a lot of good players and teams in the league.

“The likes of Wycombe, getting a good result against Villa, and the rest of the teams in League Two that got to the third round did really well.

“It is tough going away to those type of sides. These Premier League players are wrapped up in cotton wool, I know that first hand because of last year. Liverpool wouldn’t have enjoyed going to Exeter last Friday.”

It is Orient’s job this weekend to try and deal with the Grecians as they look to move up the League Two table.

Hendon praised Paul Tisdale’s men and admitted he knows exactly what to expect on Saturday after they beat the east Londoners 4-0 back in September.

“They did brilliant against Liverpool and it is easy to say it wasn’t their usual side, but they did really well,” said the O’s head coach.

“It was Exeter’s cup final and they did themselves proud. We know all about them and how good a footballing team they are.

“We have had a bit of a chance to recuperate where as they have been playing a lot of games, but I know they will be ready for us on Saturday.”