Harrold Wants To Add A Matt Finish To Orient’s Season

The striker came off the bench to put the seal on Good Friday’s victory over Harrogate Town.

His trademark towering header confirmed that victory in the club’s final two games will rubber stamp the title and promotion into the EFL.

But it’s not quite as easy as that.

Orient have arguably the most demanding game they could have asked for on Easter Monday.

The leaders travel to third place Solihull Moors - a side who will also feel they can still win the title if they win their last two matches.

The game is just too big for BT Sport to ignore and their cameras will be at ATG Stadium to cover every kick.

Harrold knows his side are in control of their own destiny.

And the powerful forward is determined to be waking up with a very big hangover this time next weekend.

“It’s a huge period in the season now and we can see the finishing line,” the former Wycombe man said.

“We’ve got ourselves into a really strong position but there are hurdles to be jumped yet and we’ve got two more very demanding games.

“We know what Solihull will want to do but we’ve got to rise to that challenge on Monday.

“But I know this set of players. I know how strong this group is. It’s the best dressing room for spirit and togetherness than I have ever been apart of in 15 years in football.

“They deserve success but in this game you don’t always get what you deserve. We need to make it happen.”

Harrold’s involvement this season has a lot of the time been from the sidelines.

The 34-year-old understands the pressure Justin Edinburgh is under and knows you can’t please all the people all the time.

After all, he had a spell in caretaker charge of Crawley Town back in 2017 and respects tough decisions must be made.

“Listen, I know where we are,” he said.

“I am happy to do whatever the manager wants me to do. I am a member of this squad and I’ll play whatever role I need to play.

“The club is blessed with good striking options and I’m well aware of that.

“You have Macauley Bonne who is one of the best forwards in the division, and Josh Koroma who isn’t too bad either!

“You’ve got Jay Simpson who has done great things and has been brilliant, and James Alabi who was sitting in the stands against Harrogate.

“There’s great competition for places and everyone knows that.”

How much would it mean to Harrold to add a National League title win to his CV?

“It would mean everything, it would to everyone here,” he said.

“Not just a winners’ medal, but helping this club back to where it belongs.

“But we’ve got work to do and, as I have said, two really demanding matches left to tick off.

“But don’t doubt our focus. The lads here want this like you wouldn’t believe.

“Dean Brill was right with what he said last week. This is the fun bit of the season and you need to try and enjoy it.”