Just a stone’s throw away from London Stadium, West Ham United Academy’s Callum Marshall put the seal on Huddersfield Town's ninth EFL League One victory with his fourth goal of the season in a 2-0 win away at Leyton Orient.
The 19-year-old had to be patient, waiting until the 76th minute to get his chance at making an impact. Brought on for Josh Koroma, who had just had his penalty saved against his former club, Marshall was full of energy, causing problems for the Orient defence as the home side desperately searched for a late equaliser.
His work rate eventually paid off in the 90th minute as he chased down a clearance from goalkeeper Josh Keeley. Smothering the Orient goalkeeper’s long ball, Marshall’s block ricocheted into the bottom corner to put the game beyond doubt. A huge three points for the West Yorkshire side, with the table getting tighter around the play-off places.
In the Championship, George Earthy also came on as a late substitute, but his Bristol City side fell to their second 1-0 defeat in a row, this time away to Watford. In a game mostly controlled by the Robins, Watford academy product Ryan Andrews’ third goal of the season shortly after half-time was enough to secure his side all three points, moving them move into the play-off places. Bristol City on the other hand, remain in eleventh, five points behind Middlesbrough who occupy the final play-off spot.
On a more positive note, Mason Terry’s Hornchurch won their second consecutive National League South game, away to Enfield Town, who had eliminated them from the FA Trophy just ten days prior. Although the home side pulled one back, early goals from Manny Harvest and Liam Nash were enough to see out the 2-1 win and bring all three points back to east London.
Their latest three-point haul brings Terry’s newly-promoted Hornchurch within five points of the play-off places with a game in hand on seventh-placed Slough. Despite hovering around mid-table, Terry and his back line boast the fourth best defensive record out of the 24 National League South teams.
Finally, Michael Forbes watched on from the bench in a forgettable night for Bristol Rovers, as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat to relegation-threatened Blackpool. A Bryant Bilongo own goal and a Lee Evans penalty sealed the points for Steve Bruce’s side.
