15-05-2025
U's left back heading to Wembley after brilliant display
OXFORD United left back Jack Currie is heading to Wembley with loan club Leyton Orient.
The O's won 4-1 on penalties at Stockport County following a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final.
Ollie O'Neill put Orient 3-2 up on aggregate after just three minutes when he finished from a tight angle following a lobbed free kick into the penalty box.
The hosts saw captain Fraser Horsfall head against the post, while Charlie Kelman went close to doubling the Orient advantage just before half-time with a header that bounced down off the underside of the crossbar.
The Hatters levelled the tie though with 16 minutes to go thanks to a clever backheel from Isaac Olaofe, who then spurned a great chance in the closing moments, but failed to hit the target after charging into the penalty box.
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Odin Bailey hit the post for the Hatters late in the second period of extra time, with the absorbing encounter then going to penalties.
Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley saved from Jack Diamond, while Ryan Rydel hit the post, as the O's won 4-1 in the shoot-out.
Orient are now a game away from a return to the second tier for the first time since 1982.
Currie impressed in playing the first 65 minutes before being substituted with a knock, but he still made the joint most tackles in the game (five) and enjoyed the best passing accuracy of any O's player (81.8 per cent).
