Leyton Orient midfielder Craig Clay insist there will be no let up from his side when they travel to Maidstone United in the 4th Qualifying Round of FA Cup today. Orient have only lost one of their 16 games so far this season and the former Motherwell man wants his side to carry their momentum in the cup. Speaking to East London Advertiser “We are going there to do a job, we will not be taking our foot off the gas and we will be professional about it and go there to win”. 

• Sit 3rd in National League
• Four wins in their last Six

Orient’s last Six Results

Orient were unlucky not to take all three points when they drew 0-0 with Hartlepool last weekend. Joe Widdowson saw red in the second half but despite the numerical disadvantage the O’s went the closest to breaking the deadlock. Edinburgh stated to leytonorient.com “I’m very proud of the performance and the manner we played, even with 11 men. We moved the ball well at times against a team that again came to frustrate us. Even with 10 ten men, we looked like the team going to win the game”.

• Kept seven clean sheets this season
• Kept back to back clean sheets and kept three in their last five
• Kept three in last five away games
• Conceded just nine goals in last 13 away games
• Only kept one clean sheet in last FA Cup games

Edinburgh’s side picked up their first victory of the season at Maidstone back in August and they haven’t looked back since. However, since the victory, Harry Wheeler has replaced Jay Saunders as Maidstone boss and Edinburgh highlights it will be a different Stones team they encounter on Saturday. Speaking to East London Advertiser “they will probably have a point to prove with us goin there earlier in the season and winning. They have a new manager and I’m sure they have new ideas and have had a bit of a bounce”.

• Away Record (this season) – P8  W5  D3  F16  A5
• Won their last three and four of their last six 
• Only lost one of their last 13 away games – W7  D5  L1
• Won three of their five away cup games under Edinburgh

The O’s have struggled in the FA Cup in recent seasons, winning just one of their last six games in the competition. A win would see Orient progress to the First Round Proper with Edinburgh highlighting it is a nice challenge away from their league campaign. Speaking to the O’s Show “the players are really looking forward to it, for me it’s a competition with a huge amount of history and prestige. It is one as players and staff we want to have a good run in, we know the fans will. It is a game we’re wanting to win”.

Orient’s Last Four Seasons in FA Cup

Midfielder Craig Clay has been an ever present for the O’s this season, starting all 16 games so far. The 26 year old has never progressed past the second round of the FA Cup and is keen for Orient to have a good cup run. However, first and foremost for Clay is beating Maidstone. Speaking to East London Advertiser “it would be nice to on a little cup run and experience the magic of the cup. We have to worry about Maidstone first”

• Only failed to score in two games this season
• But not scored in two of their last three
• Scored in last nine away games and 11 of their last 12
• Scored in just three of their last nine cup games
• Only scored in one of their last six away FA Cup games

Edinburgh could make changes at Maidstone allowing some of his players to have some competitive football. But the former Newport man is aware that it is all about the right equilibrium at the Gallagher Stadium. Speaking to the O’s Show “the position I’m in is all about getting the balance right and making sure the team that goes is a team that can get us through to the next round. Also making sure the squad is utilised to the maximum”.

Round Reached by Orient in last five seasons

Team News

Defender Joe Widdowson will start his three match suspension after his red card against Hartlepool with Sam Ling expected to replace him. Charlie Lee is set to return after being rested last week while Dale Gorman returns after International Duty with Northern Ireland U21’s. On loan winger Levi Lumenka is unable to play after permission from Crystal Palace was denied.

Head to Head – Leyton Orient 4, Draw 1, Maidstone 0

• It will be the fourth meeting between sides in 14 months
• Orient have won the last three league meetings

Last Five Meetings Between Sides

Last Time Out – 0-0 vs Hartlepool, 13th October

Starting 11 vs Hartlepool

Prediction – Maidstone 1-3 Leyton Orient