Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh knows his side have to be at their best to book their place at Wembley on Saturday. The O’s lead AFC Telford 1-0 after the first leg but Edinburgh is not taking anything for granted at New Bucks Head. Speaking to O’s Show “we are no way taking anything lightly, we’re not taking our eye of it, it’s half time and we’ve got a slender lead. We go there confident , we’re on a very good run and we want to continue that”.

• Sit 1st in National League
• Only lost one of their last ten games – W8  D1  L1

FA Trophy 2018/2019

MacAuley Bonne ended his 49 day spell without a goal by grabbing the decisive goal in the victory over Telford last Saturday. The 23 year old was glad to be back amongst the goals and stated to leytonorient.com “we’re 1-0 up, there’s one more game to go. I’m feeling confident about the second leg, beating them and taking it to Wembley”.

Orient’s Last Six Results

Holding the lead going into the second leg, captain Jobi McAnuff praised his sides mindset against Telford. It was Orient’s third match against a National League North side and the 37 year old highlight the importance of taking a lead into the second leg. Speaking to @danny_dannyd “it was important for us to win, ideally we would like another goal or two. I’m pleased with how we played overall, we approached the game with a real good mentality. We were guilty of not doing so in last round. It pleasing from my point of view, our attitude was spot on and we need the same next week”.

Jobi McAnuff interview – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9jf8XMtpnM

• Kept 19 clean sheets this season 
• Kept four clean sheets in five FA Trophy games this season
• Kept two in their last three matches (both 1-0 wins)
• Without a clean sheet in last six away games

The O’s travel to Telford on the back of six consecutive wins in all competitions and striker Matt Harrold wants to keep the winning feeling going. The 34 year old has played in every round so far and feels his side have the perfect balance in the changing room to get the job done. Speaking to the O’s Show “we are full of confidence as a team. We are in  good place. It’s about keeping the momentum going, keep good habits and staying grounded to get us over the line. We have got everything needed it is”

• Harrold has been involved in three of Orient’s nine Trophy goals this season

Orient still sit top of the National League with nine games to go while being 90 minutes from a Wembley trip. McAnuff highlights that with a potential of two celebrations at the end of the season, Edinburgh has been hammering into the side that chances like this needed to be taken. Speaking to @danny_dannyd “he has been the real driving force behind everything that goes on, reinforcing these opportunities don’t come that often. For people in the game opportunities are few and far between whatever level you play at. To be part of a season like this and achieve something so great means you have got that bond with people”

• Failed to score in nine games this season
• Scored in last six games – netting 11 goals 
• Scored in nine of their last ten games in all competitions
• Scored in last five away games and six of their last seven away games

With an expected sell out crowd at New Bucks Head on Saturday, Orient know there will be a fantastic atmosphere created. Orient’s winning run has been backed up with four away wins in a row and Harrold is confident his side can book a place at Wembley in May with victory number five. Speaking to O’s Show “it is going to be very tough going up there but as I’m sure the fans have seen we are a team with a lot of character who can deal with things. I’m looking forward to the weekend and hopefully keep the winning run going”.

• Away Record This Season – P22  W12  D6  L4  F34  A20
• Won five of their last seven games – W5  D1  L1
• Only lost one of their six FA Trophy away games – W5  L1
• Only lost two of their last eight away cup games – W5  D2  L2

McAnuff interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9jf8XMtpnM

Team News

Jordan Maguire-Drew and Myles Judd remain injured while Jay Simpson and Sam Ling are doubts. Josh Koroma and James Dayton should play some part after returning from injury in recent weeks. Joe Widdowson should return after missing the first leg while Charlie Lee could be back involved.

Last Time Out – Leyton Orient 1-0 AFC Telford, 16/03/2019

Starting 11 vs AFC Telford

Prediction – AFC Telford 1-1 Leyton Orient