Third game in four days and my employer had paid for the London trip, not bad. I had come down from Leicester in the morning and found my hotel near Paddington. I had lunch and then went out with the Central line to Leyton Station. I had read about a pub, The Birkbeck Tavern, south of the station, in Duncan Adams football ground guide, so I went there for a pint. If you're in Leyton for a game, you're sure to miss it if you don't search for it. Then I had another at The Coach & Horses, which is much closer to the ground and, as expected, could only provide standing room. 

It was a lovely January Saturday afternoon. The sun was shining and all these colourful characters that support Leyton Orient were out for the game. Leyton Orient was second in the table, a point behind Brentford and two ahead of Wolves in third. The game was a pretty one-handed affar with Leyton Orient scoring four against no reply. Pascal Chimbonda was a surprise inclusion in the Carlisle United team for me. This was one of six matches the former Wigan and Spurs right-back played for Carlisle.

At the end of the season, Carlisle were relegated. They came into the game at the Matchroom Stadium as 16th. Leyton Orient finished third and made it to Wembley, but lost to Rotherham in the playoff final.