Andy Edwards has enjoyed stepping up into his new role for the 2016/17 season.

The 44-year-old, who was academy director since 2011 until he was promoted to be Andy Hessenthaler’s number two, had the chance to work with the first team when Kevin Nolan was appointed as manager.

Edwards has overseen several youngsters’ progress and hopes he can do the same with the Orient first team.

He said: “I really enjoyed the back end of last year and the opportunity to move up to work with the first team was something I really appreciated.

“I’ve got the chance to stay with the first team and it’s been excellent along with Danny Webb, he has also come up from the academy.

“It has been a good experience, although not too much different because it is about coaching players and trying to put on good sessions that reflect the way we want to play.”

Orient won 2-1 last night against the former League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge with goals from Paul McCallum and Armand Gnanduillet.

Dagenham, however, were the first to take the lead through Oliver Hawkins as he tapped in at the back post in the 18th minute and Edwards said it is something they need to work on.

“We didn’t start well enough, the first 18 to 20 minutes we weren’t quite sharp enough,” said Edwards.

“Dagenham moved the ball better, they were better without it, but we stayed in the game to an extent.

“We went a goal down but I thought it gave us a little bit of a wake-up call and we started to make inroads into the game. Second half I thought we were the better side.”

Orient have won three and drawn and lost one in their pre-season friendlies but Edwards said it is the results during the season that remain the most important.

“It was a tough test, you always have a tough game at Dagenham and they have some good players,” he added.

“but ultimately it comes down to the league campaign.

“As history has always proved pre-season results mean very little so the players being ready for August 6 is the main priority.”

The O’s currently have five strikers on their books with McCallum scoring two in pre-season and Edwards thinks this can only be a positive thing for the club in their quest for promotion.

“It is always good for strikers to score goals and ultimately you win games by scoring goals,” said Edwards.

“It doesn’t always matter where they come from, but if your forwards are knocking them in it is great for them and the team.”