THAT’S ONE EK OF A DOUBLE!

MARVIN EKPITETA has double reason to celebrate after following up his first England C call-up with the Vanarama Player of The Month award for September.

The 23-year-old has been rewarded for a storming start to the season with Leyton Orient where he has helped the O’s stage an early assault towards a Football League return.

Since being clutched from National League South with East Thurrock United in the summer, skilful defender Ekpiteta has proved to be a huge hit at Brisbane Road, helping the O’s to second place in the table after the first third of the season.

First, his form was recognised by England C boss Paul Fairclough, who named Ekpiteta, alongside Orient team-mate Josh Koroma, in his 16-man squad for the international friendly with Estonia Under 23s at his home stadium on Wednesday night.

Now, the former Chelmsford City and Concord Rangers defender has been hailed by National League sponsors Vanarama for his part in Orient’s impressive start to the season, which has seen just 10 goals conceded from the opening 14 games and just one defeat before yesterday.

Much of that form has resulted in the understanding that Ekpiteta has formed with experienced O’s centre-back partner Josh Coulson, and the former credits the advice and support given to him by the 29year-old former league winner as pivotal to his development.

Hungry

“Josh has been a massive help to me both on and off the pitch,” Ekpiteta told The NLP.

“He has a lot of experience in the game and has helped me to make the step up. He’s great to be around.

“The England C call-up was a very proud moment for me. Putting on an England shirt was something I never thought would happen, I have to pinch myself to be honest. “Winning the award is, again, a very proud moment for me but it comes with playing in a good team with good professionals. “Playing in front of crowds in excess of 5,500, and the excellent away support we receive, certainly helps us to create a winning atmosphere and to stay hungry, which is what the gaffer wants from us. It’s just a great place to be around at the moment.

“Of course, promotion back to the Football League definitely in our plans, but we know we can’t get too ahead of ourselves and the gaffer makes sure that we won’t be getting carried away.

“The dream is to play at the highest level I possibly can and I’d love to be given the chance to do that with Leyton Orient.”

Ekpiteta admits, however, that he will always hold a place in his heart for former club East Thurrock, who sold him to the O’s back in January before immediately loaning him back until the end of the season.

“East Thurrock were the team who gave me my big chance and for that I will always be grateful,” Ekpiteta added.

THUMBS UP: Marvin Ekpiteta with the Player of the Year award KIDDERMINSTER Harriers’ midfield maestro Ed Williams has followed in Ekpiteta’s footsteps by securing the joint honours of a Player of the Month award and a call up to the England C side. The summer City signing from was in superb Gloucester form during for Kiddy, finding September games the net six times to help his side in five Blyth Spartans, to wins against Altrincham and Arguably Williams’ York City. the month was stand-out moment against an incredible of Boston solo effort United, where the ball before he picked beating two up firing low past defenders the Pilgrims’ and keeper. IN the South, the Player of the Month Award went to Slough Town’s Jack Turner. The former Staines Town shot stopper has been in instrumental form between the sticks for the Rebels of the main reasons this season and is one Underwood’s side why Neil Baker and Jon to Step 2 following have adapted so quickly promotion last season. of brilliant While Turner had plenty a standout moments during September, save he made in event is the extraordinary City, which the 1-0 victory over Chelmsford of the best I have was described “as one midfielder Scott ever seen” by veteran Davies.