English Football League Announces Replay of Leyton Orient vs. Lincoln City Match
In the wake of a heartbreaking event, the English Football League (EFL) has announced that the recently abandoned match between Leyton Orient and Lincoln City will be replayed in its entirety. The initial match took place at Brisbane Road, Leyton Orient's home ground.
Unexpected Incident Halts Match
The game on Tuesday, October 3, was stopped abruptly at the 84th minute when supporter Derek Reynolds suffered a heart attack. In an expression of concern, fans took to the pitch, causing the players to return to their changing rooms while Derek received medical assistance. Despite the best efforts of those involved, the 74-year-old lifelong Leyton Orient fan sadly did not survive.
"Having considered all relevant factors relating to the decision taken by the match officials and club stadium staff on the night, alongside the options available to them in accordance with the Regulations, the Board felt the most reasonable course of action was to reschedule the fixture in full. A new date for the game will be announced by the Clubs in due course," a spokesperson for the EFL stated.
Leyton Orient and Lincoln City Pay Tribute
At the time of abandonment, Leyton Orient led the game with a score of 1-0. The club released a statement recognising Derek's years of devoted support.
"Derek was a life-long O’s supporter and he lived in Osborne Road, a short walk from the ground for many years. As well as being a lifelong fan, Derek was heavily involved in the club and managed the club’s tannoy system during the 1990s." says the statement from Leyton Orient.
The competing team, Lincoln City, also expressed their condolences and honoured Derek with a recently installed brick on the memorial wall at the LNER Stadium.
"The thoughts of everyone connected with Lincoln City are with the family of the Leyton Orient supporter Derek Reynolds who passed away during Tuesday night’s game at Brisbane Road." expressed a representative of Lincoln City.