Leyton Orient defender Daniel Happe feels today’s clash with Maidenhead could be very important. The O’s were knocked off top spot by Solihull Moors on Tuesday for the first time since November and can reassert themselves with a victory over the Magpies . Speaking to the O’s Show Happe stated “it will be a massive three points if we win, as you know Solihull went above us but we have a game hand but it will be a big three points if we get it”

• Sit 2nd on 61 points – two behind Solihull Moors
• Unbeaten in last three – W2  D1
• Lost two of their last eight games  – W4  D2  L2
•  League Record – P32  W17  D10  L5  F53  A23

The O’s head into Saturday’s clash with Maidenhead on the back of a 1-1 draw at Hartlepool last weekend. Captain Jobi McAnuff’s deflected effort put them ahead before Nicke Kabamba levelled right on half time. Dean Brill saved a second half penalty save from Liam Noble to preserve a point. Head Coach Justin Edinburgh stated to leytonorient.com “I always think on the road any point is valuable, it was a tough encounter, very scrappy and the conditions weren’t great but we definitely look at it as a point gained”

Orient’s Last Six Results

The O’s took the lead at Hartlepool but just before the break and had to be thankful for goalkeeper Dean Brill for his penalty save. After taking the lead, Edinburgh was disappointed in how his side failed to protect their lead heading into the break. Speaking to leytonorient.com “the disappointment today is our game management, at times where we were in good positions with the back four in our half we never seemed to manage the play behind that. We got caught on the counter attack today which is very unlike us and the goal was a bit like that”.

• Failed to score in seven league games (four at home)
• Scored in last three games and four of the last five
• Scored in six of their last seven home games
• Only scored six goals in their last seven league games

Goalkeeper Brill has been an every present under Justin Edinburgh, playing every minute. The 33 year old made his second consecutive penalty save at Hartlepool preserving Orient’s fantastic defensive record. Only Wrexham have conceded fewer goals this season and Brill stated to leytonorient.com “we pride ourselves on still have one of the best defensive records in the league, it is a hard league and we dealt with what they put to us quite well but once you let people inside your box, there is always a danger”.

• Kept 14 clean sheets – (nine at home)
• Kept two clean sheets in last three games
• Kept three in last five games
• Kept six in last eight home games

With just six points separating the top six, the battle for promotion will continue to hot up in the last few months of the season. The O’s face a hectic March with at least eight fixtures but defender Happe highlights his side need to embrace the challenge and enjoy the ride. Speaking to the O’s Show “it is a massive couple of months, all the boys have got to push hard and look forward. We need to enjoy it and take it in our step”.

Orient’s Next Seven Fixtures

• Home League Record – P16  W10  D4  L2  F29  A10
• Won their last two
• Won six of their last seven, 12 points from last 15 in league
• Only lost one of their last 11 home games – W8  D2  L1

Jay Simpson returned to the O’s in midweek on a short term deal till the end of the season after a spell in the MLS. The 30 year old could make his 100th appearance against Maidenhead and finally made his decision to return to the O’s after training with the club. Speaking to leytonorient.com “I want to get promoted, I believe we can do it. Justin thinks that I can come in and be the missing piece which can finally get us over the line. The pressure is on me to come in and help out the boys and produce but it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to”.

• 33/53 goals have been scored in the second half- (20/29 at home)
• Only Harrogate (39) have netted more in the second half
• Scored 16 goals in the finals 15 minutes of games (10 have come at home)
• Seven of their last 11 goals have been scored in second period

Team News

New signing Jay Simpson could make his debut after receiving his International Clearance in midweek. Jordan Maguire-Drew and Sam Ling should return after missing the trip to Hartlepool last weekend. James Dayton, Marvin Ekpiteta, Josh Coulson and Josh Koroma all remain sidelined through injury.

Head to Head – Leyton Orient 2, Draw 0, Maidenhead 1

The Three Meeting Between Sides

• All three wins have been by the away side
• Only the away side has scored in the fixture
• All four goals in the fixture have been before 30 minutes, three in the opening 15 minutes
• All three Orient goals have been scored by strikers

Last Time Out – Hartlepool 1-1 Leyton Orient

Starting 11 vs Hartlepool

Prediction – Leyton Orient 3-1 Maidenhead