League Two top goalscorer discusses life in east London and the division

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson runs off after scoring against Oxford United (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson runs off after scoring against Oxford United (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Just six points separate the top seven teams in League Two at the moment and Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson is happy for them to be in the chasing pack for the time being.

The 26-year-old has been in stunning form this season and scored his 11th goal of the campaign on Tuesday night in the 1-1 draw at Luton Town.

His second half strike earned the O’s another point after they had come back from two down to draw 2-2 against Oxford United at Brisbane Road on Saturday.

Although they aren’t winning many matches at the moment, they are only six points off the top.

Simpson said: “It is tight in the league and I looked at the table after the Oxford match. We were only two points off third and five off the top then.

“We had a bad month in September and you would have thought, looking back, that we would be a lot further down.

“But we have been picking up points and come the end of the season the draw at Luton will be a good one as will Saturday’s point.

“It is a tight division and anybody can beat anybody, but if we keep minimising the losses and pick up a few more wins we will be right up there.”

If Orient are in the top three by the end of the season you would imagine the goals of Simpson would have played a massive part in getting them there.

The former Arsenal youngster has scored five times in his last four matches and is the leading goalscorer in the division.

His 47th minute strike at Kenilworth Road cancelled out Jack Marriott’s first-half opener.

And his goals this week have earned Ian Hendon’s side two points, which could be crucial after 46 league games.

Unsurprisingly, Simpson is loving life in east London.

“I am enjoying my football, we have a great bunch of lads in the changing room and I am happy and settled,” he added.

“Leyton is local to me, my son is in school here and I enjoy working with the gaffer and his assistant Andy Hessenthaler as well as first team coach Kevin Nugent.

“I believe we are going to get promoted this year so I want to be a part of that.”

The next challenge for Orient is a trip to the Globe Arena to play a dangerous Morecambe side.

It is another tough match and goals can be expected with Simpson involved and the Seasiders the team with the most goals in the league this year.

Saturday’s match will conclude a tough week for the O’s in terms of opposition after playing third in the table Oxford last weekend and Luton – one of the sides tipped to challenge for promotion at the start of the season - on Tuesday.

Morecambe are currently level on points with the east Londoners on 23 so the fixture at the Globe Arena is an iumportant one.

Simpson has played every minute this week, but that is just how he likes it.

He added: “I just enjoy playing so if we play Saturday and then Tuesday it is a positive for me.

“Sometimes the seven day wait between games can seem such a distance so when we have a midweek match I am always looking forward to it. I like the matches coming thick and fast.”