Leyton Orient assistant coach Ross Embleton insist the O’s must start quickly against Hartlepool today. At a sold out Breyer Group Stadium after the “football for a fiver” initiative, Orient will be hoping to stay in touch with League Leaders Salford and continue their challenge for promotion. Speaking to leytonorient.com Embleton stated “we are doing everything we can to start the game strong and make it an exciting game”

• Sit second on 32 points
• League Record – P15  W9  D5  L1  F29  A10
• Won nine of their last 12 – taking 29 points

Orient’s next Six Fixtures

The O’s returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at Maidenhead, Macauley Bonne and James Alabi struck in the first 30 minutes to keep Orient in second. Head Coach Justin Edinburgh was delighted with the response from his side after their first defeat of the season. Speaking to leytonorient.com “it was a bit of an unknown for us this season to be defeated but obviously it was the reaction we all wanted and I’m pleased for the group in terms of the result”.

Orient’s last six Results

Defender Myles Judd was pleased his side were able to grind out victory admitting the early goal helped Orient. The 19 year old has made the right back spot his own starting the last 12 games and was happy Orient were able to keep another clean sheet. Speaking to leytonorient.com “it’s always good to get a clean sheet, as long as you get one you get at least a draw or could win. It’s the most important thing for the defence”

• Kept six clean sheets – three at home
• Kept two in their last four
• Kept three in last five home games
• Only conceded four goals in last nine matches
• Third best defensive record in league – conceding just 10

Hartlepool arrive in E10 in sixth, looking for a third straight win against the O’s. Following defeat in their last home match, Embleton knows Pool will come and look to frustrate Orient. Speaking to leytonorient.com “they did it twice last year, we gave them the opportunity. We know at home teams are going to come, to try and make it difficult for us but we have to overcome that”

• Home Record – P7  W4   D2  L1  F13  A5
• Won four of their last five
• Only lost two of their last 11 at the Breyer Group Stadium – W7  D2  L2
• Three of the last four home wins have been by two or more goals

Edinburgh’s side have been known for their late goals this season but in three of their last four games, they have started strong scoring in the opening 30 minutes. With a packed out Breyer Group Stadium, Embleton highlights that it is up to the O’s players to get the fans up for the occasion. Speaking to leytonorient.com “we have had some fantastic home crowds this season and it will be even better to add to that number. We have the responsibility to excite people, get them off their seats and give the crowd something to cheer about”.

• Only failed to score in one league match
• Scored in nine of their last 11 home matches – netting 21 goals
• Scored 18/29 in second half – including 10/13 at home
• Six of last ten have been in first half
• Scored 51% (15/29) goals after the 60th minute

The top of the National League continues to be tight, with only two points separating the top four. Despite Orient’s closest rivals playing sides at the bottom, the former Newport man knows at this stage, his side just need to concentrate on their own performances. Speaking to nationalleague.co.uk “if we take care of ourselves then who knows what might happen. We can only concern ourselves with our performances and try to make sure we are better every week”

Promotion Rivals’ Fixtures

Team News

Leyton Orient will be without midfielder Dale Gorman who is away on International Duty with Northern Ireland U21’s. Striker Josh Koroma is a doubt with a knee injury so James Alabi should keep his place in the starting 11. Defenders George Elokobi and Daniel Happe are back in contention after returning from injury.

Head to Head – Leyton Orient 20, Draw 9, Hartlepool 21

• Hartlepool won both games last season
• Orient have lost two of the last three games at home
• Orient have only won three of the last eight meetings
• Both teams have scored in five of the last seven games
• No draw in last nine meetings and just one in last 16 meetings

The Last Eight Meetings

Last Time Out – Maidenhead 0-2 Leyton Orient

Starting 11 at Maidenhead

Prediction – Leyton Orient 1-1 Hartlepool