Leyton Orient goalkeeper Dean Brill is used to playing the same team so often after shutting out Dagenham & Redbridge again
Leyton Orient goalkeeper Dean Brill (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo). - Credit: David Simpson/TGS Photo
The O’s and Daggers have faced each other four times during the last two-and-a-half months, but Monday’s meeting should be the last of the season
Alex Lawless of Leyton Orient and Mason Bloomfield of Dagenham during Dagenham & Redbridge vs Leyton Orient, Vanarama National League Football at the Chigwell Construction Stadium on 1st January 2018 - Credit: David Simpson/TGS Photo
Leyton Orient and Dagenham & Redbridge are probably sick of the sight of each other after doing battle twice in the space of six days over the festive period.
The O’s claimed bragging rights on Boxing Day with a 2-0 win over John Still’s side before a goalless draw occurred on Monday (New Years Day) at Victoria Road.
It was the fourth meeting between the east London rivals this season after they played each other in the FA Cup in October and a replay was required for Orient to progress.
One person who is used to playing the same side several times during one campaign is Dean Brill with the goalkeeper spending three-and-a-half years in Scotland with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Motherwell.
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Therefore the four recent battles with Dagenham haven’t come as too much of a culture shock for the 32-year-old.
“When I was up in Scotland we did it quite a lot and in the Scottish Leagues the turnaround is pretty quick,” said Brill.
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“You play teams three or four times a season, so I am used to playing the same club twice in quick succession from being up there.
“Down here it is what it is and it is probably a good thing it is local over Christmas and they do it like that.”
Monday’s encounter at Victoria Road is almost certainly the final meeting between Orient and Dagenham this season after Still’s side were knocked out of the FA Trophy last month.
The O’s are currently preparing to entertain Boreham Wood this weekend, but after that contest, they will get ready to visit Bognor Regis Town in the second round of the FA Trophy,
Orient boss Justin Edinburgh has already revealed his desire to win the competition having reached the final in 2012.
Brill, meanwhile, helped Luton Town to success in the Football League Trophy in April 2009 with a 3-2 win after extra time over Scunthorpe United at Wembley.
He also started for Inverness in the final of the Scottish League Cup in March 2014 when they lost on penalties to Aberdeen.
The experienced goalkeeper is now out to secure another memorable afternoon for his new club, he added: “No matter what cup it is, to go to the national stadium and be involved in a day out like a final is fantastic.
“It would be nice for this club from where it has been to get to something like that this year, but having said that we have still got the league to think about and that is our priority from week to week.”
Even if the National League takes precedence over the FA Trophy, winning games in the non-league cup competition can only benefit O’s in the division and help them maintain their momentum.
Brill concluded: “We want to win every game we play between now and the end of the season and the cup is a chance for us to carry on the positive results and we’ll look to do that.”