Football Analyst

Gateshead manager Steve Watson insists the pressure if off when they visit league leaders Leyton Orient tomorrow afternoon. The Heed moved back into the play off places last weekend and Watson highlights his side should cement their place in the top seven ahead of the festive fixtures.  Speaking to gatesheadfc.com “we go there with no fear, the win last week has done the world of good and we have got some great games after, where I feel we can take some points”

• Sit 7th on 36 points
• League Record – P21  W11  D3  L7  F27  A18
• Won four of their last seven league games – taking 13/21 points

Gateshead’s Next Six Fixtures

The Heed picked up their first victory in five with a 2-1 victory at Barnet last Saturday. Scott Boden put them ahead before Jack Taylor equalised in the second half but Luke Armstrong gave them all three points, striking home 13 minutes from time. Armstrong was delighted to pick up all three points, speaking to gatesheadfc.com “I’m over the moon with the win today, It’s great to get back to winning ways which is exactly what we needed to do after the past few weeks. I thought we played really well and caused them all sorts of problems”.

Gateshead Last Six Results

Gateshead suffered a dip in form at the start of November, losing three on the bounce  but two positive results have set the Heed up nicely ahead of the Christmas run in. Luke Molyneux made his first start for two months at Barnet after Watson revealed the 20 year old had been impressing in training. Molyneux was involved in the winner at Barnet and revealed it was case of his side being ruthless in front of goal. Speaking to gatesheadfc.com “it was an entertaining game to be involved in to say the least. Both teams were creating chances but in the end we were the more clinical team and got two goals and three points”.

• Kept seven league clean sheets (three away)
• Kept just one in their last five
• Kept four in their last eight games, conceding just seven goals
• No clean sheet in last four away games
• Just one in last six away games (1-0 vs Havant, 13/10/18)

The Heed will be making the long trip to the Capital on Saturday morning ahead of the game and Watson will be hoping his side continue their good form against the London teams. Speaking ahead of the trip to Orient to gatesheadfc.com “we have accepted it and we get on with it. There will be no excuses, we have done relatively well in London and on our longer trips. It is a young group of lads who enjoy each others company”.

Gateshead’s Results in London

Tomorrow’s game will be the first return fixture of the season with the sides drawing 1-1 back in August. The sides have got used to each other as tomorrow’s clash will be their sixth in the past 14 months and Watson is expecting another tight contest. Speaking to gatesheadfc.com “the first game we played excellently down their, the second, they had improved dramatically since Justin came in, it was much tougher and we showed a lot of resilience. There was nothing between the sides earlier in the season and maybe we should have held on for the win”.

• Failed to score in six league games  (three away)
• Scored in three of their last four
• Scored in six of their last eight in all competitions (netting ten goals)
• Only failed to score in one of their eight away games (1-0 vs Fylde, 30/10/18)

The Heed are unbeaten against the top two at home and Watson is hoping his side can replicate those performances tomorrow. However, it will not be an easy task for his side and the former Newcastle man is under no illusion of the test that awaits his side “we know how hard it is going to be, it will be a big crowd, it’s a good pitch with a great atmosphere. I have watched the last two games, they are a very strong, organised side who have an outstanding goal-scorer. They have dangerous players all around him, we know all about them but knowing about them and stopping them are two different things”.

• Away League Record – P11  W6  D1  L4  F14  A10
• Four best record in League, only Orient (25) and Eastleigh (21) have taken more points
• One win in their last four (all competitions) – W1  L3
• Won five of last seven away league games
• Four of their six away wins have been by just one goal

The trip to Orient is the first of six fixtures in December and Watson acknowledges that sides can be undone by the run of games. The Heed sit inside the playoffs by a point but the 44 year old admits it is too early to be concerned how other teams are doing. Speaking to gatesheadfc.com “we are not even half way through the season, it is a bit early to be worrying about other teams. We will be just cracking on and getting as many wins as we can. December usually finds teams out, we take one game at a time”.

• Scored 14/27 league goals in second half (8/14) away
• Three of last four have been in second half
• Have netted seven in final 15 minutes
• Seven of their 11 wins have been by just one goal

Team News

Watson revealed his squad has few niggles but nothing major. Luke Molyneux is set to continue in midfield while strikers Scott Boden and Luke Armstrong will be hoping to their tally.

Head to Head-  Gateshead 2, Draw 2, Leyton Orient 1

The Five Previous Meetings

• Gateshead have scored in every meetings
• Gateshead have scored two or more in four of the five meetings
• They are unbeaten in two trips to the Breyer Groups Stadium

Last Time Out – 2-1 win at Barnet

Starting 11 vs Barnet

Prediction – Leyton Orient 1-1 Gateshead

Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh has urged his side to bounce back from a disappointing draw on Tuesday when they host Gateshead tomorrow. The O’s struggled to replicate their performance at Wrexham on Saturday and Edinburgh highlights that the performance level must be increased if they are to return to winning ways. Speaking to leytonorient.com “the key is to stick together and don’t get frustrated, I am sure Saturday will be another tough game and we have to raise the level of performance to get a result”.

• Sit 1st on 47 points
• League Record – P22  W13  D8   L1  F42  A13
• Best defensive record in league
• Won three of their last four games

Orient’s Next Six Fixtures

The O’s were unable to make it four wins on the bounce against Aldershot on Tuesday night drawing 0-0, cutting their lead at the top of the table to just one point. After their victory against Wrexham on Saturday, Edinburgh took some responsibility for his side performance. Speaking to leytonorient.com “the level of performance wasn’t what we wanted, I look at myself there and perhaps it might have been a game too far for one or two. It might have needed freshening up tonight”.

Orient’s Last Six Results

On Thursday, Edinburgh celebrated one year in charge at the Orient which saw him amass 86 points in 46 league games. Despite only drawing on Tuesday, defender Joe Widdowson highlighted the difference Edinburgh has had on the squad. Speaking to East London Advertiser “it is his man management, he creates relationships with players and trust players, encourages and motivates everyone. He gets the best out of every individual whether you are playing every week, in and out of the team or not involved at all, everyone feels part of it, valued and respected by the gaffer”.

Edinburgh’s First Year Stats – credit @homeandoway

Widdowson has been an integral member of the squad, starting 20 of the 22 league games and believes that despite the disappointment on the draw, it extended their unbeaten run in the league to eight games. Speaking to East London Advertsier “we played some good stuff at times against Aldershot, I don’t think we were at our best but we played well in patches. We will remain positive and look forward to the weekend because it is a point in the right direction”.

• Kept ten clean sheets (six at home)
• Kept back to back clean sheets
• Kept five in their last eight league games – conceding just three goals
• Kept six in their last nine home games

The O’s have found Gateshead one of their bogey sides with Orient having to score late on to grab a draw earlier in the season. With the Heed in the playoffs place, Edinburgh highlighted the level of competition in the division this season. Speaking to East London Advertiser “Gateshead have maintained their good start like a lot of teams and I’ve said before about how it will go right until end. There are not many sides pulling away and we know Gateshead are a good side”.

• Failed to score in three league games (all at home)
• Scored in five of their last six
• Failed in three of their last five home games
• Only Harrogate (29) have scored more second half goals than Orient (26)
• Netted 19 in final 15 minutes of games – most in league

Heading into the festive fixtures, the O’s will be hoping to use home advantage against Gateshead tomorrow but the Heed have been good travellers this season. Widdowson acknowledges the test that await his side but hopes that the Breyer Group Stadium can help them to get three points, “they have good energy and they are a competitive side so we will expect a hard game but we are at home. I feel like our home form has been good so we are looking for to it”.

• Home Record – P11  W6  D4  L1  F20  A6
• Only Solihull (4) have conceded fewer
• Won six of their last nine – W6  D2  L1 – scoring 17 goals
• Unbeaten in last four – W2  D2
• Scored two or more goals in five of last eight games

Team News

Craig Clay is a doubt after picking up a dead leg on Tuesday night. Midfielder Charlie Lee and Sam Ling are back in training and could be involved on Saturday. James Brophy is hoping for a start on Saturday after recent impressive performances from the bench. Artur Janata is set to continue on the bench with Sam Sargeant and Charlie Grainger out injured.

Head to Head – Leyton Orient 1, Draw 2, Gateshead 2

The Five Meetings Between Sides

• Gateshead are unbeaten in two visits to the Breyer Group Stadium
• Orient have scored in the past four meetings

Last Time Out – 0-0 vs Aldershot

Starting 11 vs Aldershot

Prediction – Leyton Orient 1-1 Gateshead

Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh wants his side to sustain their position at the top of the National League when they host Aldershot on Tuesday evening. The O’s moved three points clear of second placed Salford on Saturday and the former boss stated to Leytonorient.com “there’s always pressure, the next game is huge, we’ve got to back it up”.

• Sit 1st on 46 points
• League Record – P21  W13  D7  L1  F42  A13
• Three win in a row – scoring eight goals
• Taken 17 points from last 21 available 

Orient’s Last Six results

Orient’s 2-0 victory at Wrexham made it a club record 11 away games unbeaten in a season on Saturday. Two goals in the final five minutes from MacAuley Bonne and James Brophy gave the O’s all three points in North Wales. Edinburgh was delighted with the result against one of their promotion rivals, stating to leytonorient.com “it’s a huge performance, very resolute and determined. We had to call upon Dean Brill for probably the first time this season for the amount of saves, but when he was called upon he was top class”.

• Home League Record – P10  W6  D3  L1  F20  A6
• Only Solihull (4) have conceded fewer goals
• Unbeaten in last four – winning two
• Won six of last eight – scoring 17 goals
• Scored two or more goals in five of their last seven home games

The O’s soaked up a lot of Wrexham possession on Saturday, finding chances few and far between. However, after the introduction of James Brophy and James Alabi late in the game they proved the difference with both involved in the winning goals. Edinburgh praised the impact of the duo “their the game changers, their not subs, their game changers and they did that today. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are, it’s what we’re about, the togetherness in the squad is incredibly high, the confidence is high and it shows in the performance” Leytonorient.com

• Kept nine league clean sheets (five at home)
• Kept one in last four games
• Kept four in their last seven
• Kept five in last eight home games – conceding just three
• Conceded just three goals in last seven league games

Midfielder James Brophy praised the defensive display from his side and highlighted the significance of the result against a direct promotion rival. Speaking to leytonorient.com “we were under a lot of pressure, in the first half the boys dug deep and dealt with the pressure and scored goals at key times. These games, the big games with teams in and around us, you come away from home and get three points is a real marker of how we’ve progressed this season”

• Scored in last five games – netting 13 goals
• 26/46 league goals have been scored in second half – only Harrogate (29) have scored more
• Netted 19 goals in final 30 minutes of games
• Have gained seven points in the final 15 minutes of games

It was a gritty performance from Orient who were clinical when the chances were presented in the second half. MacAuley Bonne struck the opener his fifth goal in his last five games and Edinburgh highlight the clinical nature of the striker. Speaking to leytonorient.com “with the form we’re in and the front boys, if we got the chance we will dispatch. When it falls in the box, it is the one person you want to see it fall to MacAuley Bonne, that’s why he is the player he is, he dispatched it incredibly well, the second one sublime finish as well“.

• Scored two or more goals in eight of their last 11 league games and four of their last five
• Only failed to score in two league games

Orient’s victory on Saturday put daylight between themselves and Salford however despite the gap, Edinburgh dismissed any hint of complacency from his side against Aldershot on Tuesday. Speaking to leytonorient.com “that group won’t allow that, they are driven professionals who have broken a club record today staying unbeaten away from home. They deserve that, we have spoke about it with the sole concentration on Tuesday”.

Orient’s Next Six Fixtures

Team News

James Brophy and James Alabi will be pushing for starts after their impact off the bench on Saturday. Charlie Lee returned to training on Monday so the game will be too early for him while Sam Ling is still returning from his ankle injury. Sam Sargeant is doubtful through injury while Charlie Grainger is out with a broken wrist.

Head to Head – Leyton Orient 16, Draw 18, Aldershot 19

• Orient have only lost two of the last 15 meetings between sides
• Both defeats have come at home
• Six of the last eight meetings have seen two or more goals

The Last Six Meetings

Last Time Out – 2-0 win at Wrexham

Starting 11 vs Wrexham

Prediction – Leyton Orient 2-0 Aldershot

Aldershot manager Gary Waddock insist his side should be relishing their trip to table toppers Leyton Orient tomorrow night. The Shots reached the play offs last season but have struggled this season sitting just five points above the relegation zone. However, after defeat on Saturday, the 56 year old admits it is a great game for his side to bounce back in. Speaking to theshots.co.uk “I’m looking forward to it, it’s a challenge the league leaders, there will be a decent crowd and a good atmosphere, if you can’t get yourself up for that, you’re in the wrong game”.

• Sit 16th on 24 points
• One win in last seven games in all competitions – W1  D3  L3  F4  A12
• League Record – P21  W7  D3  L11  F19  A33

The Shots head to Orient on the back of a 2-0 home defeat against Barrow after goals from Tyler Smith and Jack Hindle gave the Bluebirds victory. Waddock bemoaned his sides performance stating to theshots.co.uk “the first half there was no energy, no enthusiasm in the side and we needed to make changes at half time. I think we had possession without real penetration, it might have looked pretty on the eye but it didn’t really go anywhere”.

Aldershot’s Last Six Results

Waddock made a triple substitution at half time to try and find a route back into the game. However his side conceded a second in the final ten minutes which condemned them to a second league defeat in a row.  The former Wycombe man stated to theshots.co.uk “it was nowhere near what we’re looking for, everybody has got to have a long, hard look at themselves, are they doing enough? Are we giving enough? That Goes for everybody?“.

• Have conceded 14/33 goals after the 60th minute (including eight in final 15 minutes)
• 12/23 away goals have been conceded at the end of both halves
• No team has trailed for more minutes (496) away from home than Aldershot

Striker Matt McClure made his return from injury on Saturday and despite his side taking Bradford to extra time and penalties on Tuesday, he refused to use that as an excuse for his sides performance. Speaking to theshots.co.uk “not for me, we have got to come out and take care of our performance which didn’t do today and put our plan onto the pitch. If we don’t do as we’ve asked or what we are told, we are not going to get anything from game”.

• Failed to score in ten of their 21 league games – joint most with Braintree
• Scored in four of their last six games
• Scored just six away goals in 11 away matches this season
• Only score two or more in six of their 21 games – including two of their last nine

Waddock’s Shots finished fifth last season but after a summer of change, they find themselves languishing towards the bottom of the league. Saturday’s defeat was another game where they failed to score and keep a clean sheet, a persistent problem according to Waddock. Speaking to theshots.co.uk “we’ve not kept a clean sheet which is disappointing, we haven’t kept enough this season and not scored enough goals. It’s fact, you win and lose game scoring and keeping clean sheets, we’re not able to do that”.

• Kept just four league clean sheets 
• Only side in National League not to keep a clean sheet away
• No clean sheet in last four games – conceding eight
• Kept just one clean sheet in last eight games
• Without a clean sheet in last 13 away games (0-0vs Solihull Moors, 30/03/2018)

The Shots will face an uphill task on Tuesday facing an Orient side who are the inform side in the division taking 17 points from last 24 available. Despite the task at hand, Waddock stated to theshots.co.uk “it’s a great game to go into, they’ve done very well this year and credit to them, they are a big club but we should be well up for this game. They’ve got a lot of good players in their group with a lot of experience while we have very little, it’s set up really”

• Away league Record – P10  W1  D1  L8  F5  A23
• Worst record in the division – only Havant & Waterlooville (25) have conceded more
• No win in last three – D1  L2
• Only won one of their last 17 away matches all competitions – W1  D5  L11
• Last win 13/10/2018 – Eastleigh 1-2 Aldershot

Aldershot beat the O’s back in January at the Breyer Group Stadium with Waddock hoping his side can replicate that performance. However, the Shots boss acknowledges a lot has changed since then, “sometimes you have good memories of stadiums and clubs you’ve played against. But it is about putting in a performance this year”.

Aldershot’s Next Six Fixtures

Team News

Striker Scott Rendell and defender Karleigh Osbourne remained injured alongside James Rowe. George Fowler is also set to miss out through injury after picking up a knock in training last week. Adam McDonnell is back available after serving his one match suspension against Barrow. Recent signing Reece Grant could be handed a first start after joining from Braintree last week.

Head to Head – Leyton Orient 16, Draw 18, Aldershot 19

• Orient have only lost two of the last 15 meetings
• Both of their defeats have been at home
• Six of the last eight meetings have seen two or more goals

Last Six Meetings Between Sides

Last Time Out –0-2 defeat vs Barrow

Starting 11 vs Barrow

Prediction – Leyton Orient 2-0 Aldershot

Blimey, that was some away day wasn’t it.  A 2-0 away win in Europe to make it a club record 11 unbeaten away from home in a season. A tense 85 minutes where the O’s had to be thankful to goalkeeper Dean Brill for two key saves. Before utter delirium amongst the 603 travelling fans as MacAuley Bonne smashed home the opener only to followed up by more ecstasy when James Brophy lobbed in for the second to see Orient go four clear at the top of the National League.

Looking back, just 364 days ago Orient had just lost 3-0 away at Torquay to make it 14 games without a win, fast forward to now. Orient sit top of the tree, one loss in 21 league games and a side that has everything you want to love in it. It’s been a journey in the past year with Justin Edinburgh, but a great one at that, topped off with another win on the road today, what following Leyton Orient is all about.

Away League Record since Edinburgh’s appointment:

P23  W13  D7  L3  F35   A13    Clean Sheets – 9

On a day where every Orient fan knew that it was the biggest game of the season, 3rd vs 1st at the top of the league. Unbeaten at home vs unbeaten away, something had to give. In truth the game went with the script, Wrexham enjoying spells of possession while Orient sitting in and looking to hit on the counter.

It was cagey affair with neither side looking really threatening going forward, Wrexham’s 4-3-3 system was giving them more of the ball in the midfield and options went looking to go forward. Neither side were going to give anything away lightly but it was Dean Brill who was the first keeper into the action. Following a quick free kick in midfield, Rekeil Pyke beat the offside trap and the attention of Myles Judd but saw his effort brilliantly saved by Brill.

The O’s struggled to create going forward with MacAuley Bonne and Josh Koroma failing to keep possession to allow them to get up the pitch. Wrexham began to grow into the game but Orient’s defence was holding strong with Josh Coulson and Marvin Ekpiteta clearing from danger.

0-0 at the break, the game was only going to get tenser with neither side wanting to lose the game. Wrexham were gaining the ascendancy in the contest but were unable to test Brill. However that all changed in the 63 minute when Shaun Pearson’s free header was excellently stopped by Brill to keep Orient’s goal in tact.

Edinburgh introduced James Brophy from the bench in place of James Dayton and the former Swindon man was ready to make an impact. The diminutive winger almost created the opening goal after good work down the right, his low cross went straight across the face of the goal.

Orient were starting to find little pockets of space in attacking areas but the final ball was lacking in promising positions. As the game ticked into the final 15 minutes, Wrexham boss Sam Ricketts threw on James Jennings, Mike Fondop and Jordan Maquire-Drew in search of that precious opening goal. Jennings did go close but his header from Luke Young’s cross found the waiting arms of Brill.

The O’s have been known for striking late in games this season and they did once more on 86 minutes. A Jobi McAnuff corner was nodded down to MacAuley Bonne inside the six yard box and the prolific frontman made no mistake firing into the roof of the net to send 603 away fans wild.

The sucker-punch, away from home, against an unbeaten side, strike five minutes from time. Perfect timing, with Orient becoming the first side to lead at the Racecourse this season. Wrexham would throw everything at Orient to look to get back level but it was Josh Koroma who nearly made it two. A wonderful run down the left, saw him evade three challenges but his curling effort cannoned back of the post.

However, the O’s did strike once again after substitute James Alabai pressured a long ball forward. Rob Lainton was forced to head the ball away but only to the waiting James Brophy was calmly volleyed the ball over him and into the empty net to ensure Orient made their way back from Europe with all three points.

What more is there to say about this team. Solid at the back, clinical in attack, exactly what you need at this level. And with two home games in the coming week, Orient should be aiming to stretch their lead at the top of the league.

Bonne may get the headlines for another crucial goal but anybody who was there today, will say there was only one man for Man of the Match, Dean Brill. Two key saves at crucial times in the game, kept Orient in the game and ensured another clean sheet.

There is belief and a real desire in this group, from the players to the management team. Everyone at the club is pulling in the right direction, it’s about time Orient had something to smile about. 

Tuesday’s is Orient next biggest game, home to Aldershot, same mentality, same desire, same result, we hope. All that we know is in Justin We Trust. 

Leyton Orient assistant coach Ross Embleton is hoping his side have the edge when they travel to promotion rivals Wrexham on Saturday. The top three in the National League are separated by just one point and Embleton is excited by the contest. Speaking to the O’s Show “it is two confident teams going head to head, these games are the ones we’re in football for and an occasion we all want to be part of”.

• Sit 1st on 43 points – one point ahead of Salford
• League Record – P20  W12  D7  L1  F40  A13
• Won four of their last six in league
• Lost just one of their last seven in all competitions

The O’s head to Wrexham on the back of a 3-1 victory against Bromley last weekend. Orient trailed at the break from a John Goddard free kick but goals from Jobi McAnuff, Josh Koroma and MacAuley Bonne saw the O’s move top of the table. Head Coach Justin Edinburgh praised the second half performance of his side to leytonorient.com. He stated “credit to the players at half time, come out with a real purpose, the break probably stopped some momentum of the way we were playing. We certainly picked it up in the second half and ran out to win game 3-1″.

• Kept eight league clean sheets (three away)
• No clean sheet in last three
• Kept three in their last six league games
• Kept two in last six away league games

Orient’s last Six results

Last weekend’s game was Orient’s first game for two weeks and once again they proved dominant in the second period to grab all three points. Midfielder Jobi McAnuff feels the rest has done his side good as they head into the festive period but acknowledges it took time for his side to get back into their rhythm. Speaking to leytonorient.com “it was a fantastic result, after a little layoff, it is good when you get it and it does take a little extra time to get going again. We had a good mix of rest and hopefully we will see the benefit in the coming weeks. The second half showed how strong and fit we are”.

• Scored 24/40 league goals in the second half
• Netted 17 after the 60th minute
• But seven of their last 13 goals have been scored in the first half
• Have opened the scoring in four of their last five away games – all before the 30th minute

Orient’s Next Six Games

Saturday’s victory over Bromley was Orient’s second in a row at the Breyer Group Stadium and McAnuff highlights the importance of grabbing maximum points at home as they head to Wrexham on Saturday. Speaking to leytonorient.com “we have been really good away from home this year and picked some great results. The win at home enables us to manage our away games a bit better when we are winning at home”.

• Away League Record – P10  W6  D4  F20  A7
• Top Scorers away and only Fylde (5) have conceded fewer
• Won five of last eight in all competitions – W5  D2  L1
• Unbeaten in last 11 away league games
• Only lost one of last 15 away league games – W8  D6  L1

The O’s are the only unbeaten side on the road this season in the National League and McAnuff is hoping his side can continue their form on Saturday. With a trip to a promotion rival, the 37 year old knows that results against each other could prove crucial at the back end of the season. Speaking to leytonorient.com “it’s a massive one next week, we want to win and we are going there to win. It is a team who are in and around us, It’s going to be a real battle between top three and four and could come down to results against. From our point going to win but make sure we don’t lose”. 

Head to Head table between top seven in National League

The O’s took four points off the Dragons last season and Edinburgh echoed his same stance as the rest of the season, only looking at the next game. Speaking to leytonorient.com “we go again and another big game. Each game on its own merit is a tough game, no tough than today. It’s a big game and one we look forward to it again and we look to continue our unbeaten run on the road”.

• Failed to score in two league games 
• Scored in last four games – scoring 11 goals
• Scored in every away league game – only failed in one of last 12 away games in all competitions
• Scored two or more in seven of their last ten games – including three of last four

Team News

Charlie Lee (knee) and Sam Ling (ankle) could back involved in the squad are overcoming recent injuries. Defender Marvin Ekpiteta should overcome a dead leg which saw him substituted against Bromley last weekend.

Head to Head – Leyton Orient 12, Draw 11, Wrexham 11

• Orient are unbeaten in their last four meetings – W2  D2
• Haven’t lost at the Racecourse since 1995, three meetings – W1  D2
• Took four points out of six last season against Wrexham
• Four of the last sevens meetings have ended as draws
• Last defeat – 1-0 home defeat 29/04/2003

The Last Eight Meetings Between Sides

Last Time Out – 3-1 home win vs Bromley

Starting 11 vs Bromley

Prediction – Wrexham 1-1 Leyton Orient

Wrexham midfielder Paul Rutherford insist his side will be raring to go when table toppers Leyton Orient visit the Racecourse tomorrow. Just one point separates the top three sides in the National League and Rutherford knows that the results in these games could prove pivotal. Speaking to the Wrexhamafc.co.uk “these are the games you want to be involved in, the top of the table clashes that define seasons. We’ve earned the right for this to be a big game. It is one everyone will put down as a six pointer”.

• Sit 3rd on 42 point
• League Record – P20  W12  D6  L2  F28  A12
• Won five of their last eight league games
• Lost just one of last 13 league games

The Dragons extended their unbeaten run to 11 games with a 1-1 draw at Maidstone last weekend as Bradley Walker’s third of the season cancelled out Simon Walton’s opener. Despite dominating the game, Wrexham found themselves behind but manager Sam Ricketts was pleased with his side’s performance. Speaking to the dailypost “the performance was really high, going a goal down is obviously disappointing but that is the first time we have come back from conceding to get something out of the game which is really pleasing”.

• Failed to score in five league games (two at home)
• Scored in last eight league games
• Scored in nine of their last ten games in all competitions
• Scored in last five home games and ten of their last 11 at the Racecourse

Wrexham’s Last Six Results

After missing out on the play offs last season, Sam Ricketts’s arrival in the summer has seen Wrexham towards the top of the table throughout the season so far. Rutherford who’s been at the Racecourse since 2016 has seen the improvement of his side in the past year and knows everyone is on the same page. Speaking to Wrexhamafc.co.uk “I think you can see now we are starting to assert ourselves on teams a bit more. This year, we’ve kept that solid defence but we’ve added slightly more going forward and we are in slightly more control of games. Everything’s pulling in the right direction”.

• Kept 11 league clean sheets (13 in 22 in all competitions)
• Only Fylde (12) have kept more
• Kept one in their last three and two in last five games
• Best defensive record in league
• Kept four in their last five home games 
• Kept nine clean sheets in last 12 home games

Striker Chris Holroyd bagged a brace at the Racecourse against Orient last season and will be looking to get back in amongst the goals on Saturday. Holroyd netted inside the first minute last season and the 32 year old wants his side to come out of the blocks quick tomorrow. Speaking to Wrexhamafc.co.uk “every game we always look to start and take the game to them. It’s been the theme and mentality this year. People have probably seen when we have started quick we have buried teams”.

• Scored 17/28 league goals in first half 
• Netted 12 in first 30 minutes (only Salford 14 have struck more)
• 10/17 home goals have been in first half
• But five of their last six goals have been netted in second half
• Scored first in 14 games – eight of those goals has been before 30th minute

Tomorrow’s clash with Orient is Wrexham’s first in a month of big games against their promotion rivals but highlights that it won’t define their season. Speaking to dailypost ahead of the game, Ricketts stated ” it is only three points, Leyton Orient are a good side, well organised with good players and they are up there deservedly like ourselves”. He added “it is a pivotal game along the journey but not a cup final. It is our chance to pit our wits against another very good side and see where it goes. It is another three points albeit against one of your rivals so it feels more important but is game 21 of a 46 game season”.

Fixtures until New Year

After back to back away trips, Rutherford is hoping the bumper crowd can push his side over the line on Saturday. The Dragons are unbeaten at home so far this season and the 31 year old knows how difficult it can be for opposition teams. Speaking to Wrexhamafc.co.uk “when the fans are behind you and this place is bouncing there are not too many more formidable places to come certainly in this league. If we can get all the formulas right and it’s a good start on Saturday. I think it will be a difficult afternoon for Leyton Orient”.

• Home League Record – P10  W7  D3  F17  A4
• Joint best record with Salford
• Won last six in all competitions (3 of them 1-0)
• Unbeaten in last 12 home games – W8  D4  F19  A4
• Last lost 14/04/2018 – 2-1 vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Wrexham have been in the fifth tier since their relegation from the Football League in 2008 and striker Holroyd is aware that it only matters where you are at the end of the season. Wrexham sat 2nd after 20 games last season but finished ninth and Holroyd highlights the important of his side focusing on themselves. Speaking to Wrexhamafc.co.uk “nothing is won at this time of the year, as along you get results and concentrate on ourselves and not look too much at what other teams are doing”

League Table after 20 games last Season

Team News

Defender Doug Tharme is out through injury but Manny Smith is back in training however the game will come too soon for the defender. Nicky Deverdics and Chris Holyroyd missed out on the squad at Maidstone but will be hoping for a recall against Orient on Saturday.

Head to Head – Wrexham 11, Drew 11, Leyton Orient 12

• Wrexham have only won two of the last eight meetings between side
• Four of the last seven games have ended in draws

Wrexham haven’t beaten Orient at the Racecourse since 1995 (three games – D2 L1)

The Last Eight Meetings Between Sides

Last Time Out – 1-1 Draw at Maidstone

Starting 11 vs Maidstone

Prediction – Wrexham 1-1 Leyton Orient

Bromley captain Jack Holland insist his side will be raring to go when they face Leyton Orient at a sold out Breyer Group Stadium. The Ravens exited the FA Cup last weekend and Holland wants to his side to start climbing the league table. Speaking to kentishfootball.co.uk “We’ll put all our energy into the league now and hopefully start to climb the table”.

• Sit 14th on 23 points
• League Record – P19  W6  D5  L8  F22  A26
• Only won one of their last four in all competitions
• Won three of last five in league

Bromley head to Orient on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Peterborough last weekend. Roger Johnson headed them ahead before Frankie Raymond was sent off just before half time. Matt Godden struck either side of half time before Joe Ward wrapped up victory for the Posh.

Bromley’s Last Six Results

Neil Smith’s side were more than holding their own against a side two divisions above them with Smith stating the sending off completely changed the game. Speaking to bromleyfc.co.uk “up until the sending off, I thought the boys were outstanding and to go a goal up at home in front of 5000 supporters was amazing”. He added “it was always going to be hard, we tried to stay in the game but as soon as they scored their second we were fighting a losing battle”

• Kept just four league clean sheets (only one away)
• Kept two clean sheets in last six
• Kept two in last five league games – conceding eight in other three games
• Kept two in last three away games in all competitions
• Kept just one in last ten away league games

Despite bowing out of the competition to a side 60 places above them in the football pyramid, Holland admitted that it was a difficult defeat to take especially after going ahead. Speaking to kentishfootball.co.uk “it’s hard though, we’re a team of winner, that’s what we try to be. We hold ourselves in high standard and any loss feels the same. It hurts just as much as any other loss”.

• Failed to score in four games this season
• Scored in last nine games in all competitions – scoring two or more five times
• Last failed to score 22/09/2018 , 5-0 loss at Solihull Moors
• Scored in last four away games and only failed in one of their last eight in the road

Following their great season last season finishing ninth and losing in the FA Trophy final to  Brackley, it was a summer of rebuilding at Hayes Lane with Louis Dennis and Josh Rees making moves to the Football League. After showing they can match quality sides, Holland states his side will put all of the emphasis on moving up the league. Speaking to kentishfootball.co.uk “personally we only look up, we won’t look behind us. We’ll have respect for the teams below us but we know where we want to be and where we feel we should be”.

Bromley’s League Position Last Season

With the “Football for a Fiver” initiative at the Breyer Group Stadium both sides have sold out their tickets for the clash. The Ravens should take some confidence into the clash after beating Orient back in January and Holland insist his side are really looking forward to playing in front of a packed stadium. Speaking to Kentishfootball.co.uk “it never gets any easier does it but it will be another bumper game. It will be a brilliant game, a tough game but we relish these games. We’ll pick ourselves up, that’s the team we are and we go again”.

• Away League Record – P9  W2  D2  L5  F11  A18
• Won three of their last four in all competitions
• Won two of their last three away league games
• Only won three of their last 12 away league games (W3  D2  L7)
• Lost four of their five away games against teams in top half – D1  L5  F6  A15

Following their defeat last week, Smith criticised his sides games management stating to bromleyfc.co.uk “I thought the game management towards the end of the first half was poor and what cost us the game today. I don’t think it was about ability, I thought we matched them in ever department”.

• Have netted 8/22 league goals before 15th minute – most in league
• Only Solihull Moors and Leyton Orient (10) have scored more goals in final 15 minutes of games than Bromley (8)
• Scored in the first half of their last seven league games (five before 15th minute)
• In Nine of the ten games they have opened the scoring, goal has been before 30th minute

Ahead of their trip to inform Leyton Orient Smith knows his side must learn from their errors if they are to pick up a result. Speaking to BBC Radio Kent “we have got to learn, Leyton Orient are a team in form and are right up there. It’s a sell out, a fantastic occasion and a great game to come back to. We need to make sure we learn from our mistakes”

• Four of their six wins have been by just one goal
• Not won against any of the top seven – D2  L3  F4  A12

Team News

Midfielder Frankie Raymond is suspended after his red card against Peterborough last weekend. Striker Omar Bugiel is a doubt after coming off with a hamstring injury against Peterborough.

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

The Three Meetings Between Sides

Last Time Out– 3-1 home defeat to Peterborough 

Starting 11 vs Peterborough

Prediction – Leyton Orient 2-1 Bromley

Leyton Orient assistant coach Ross Embleton can’t wait to face Bromley tomorrow at a sold out Breyer Group Stadium. The O’s were without a game last weekend after their defeat in FA Cup Qualifying and Embleton is excited to get back to league action. Speaking to leytonorient.com “I’m really excited to get back out and play again and what with what goes with it aswell”.

• Sit 2nd on 40 points – one point off top
• League Record – P19  W11  D7  L1  F37  A12
• Second Highest scorers, Third best defense
• Won two of their last three – unbeaten in their last five league games – W3  D2

Orient will be wearing a limited edition fourth kit, highlighting the role Orient had in World War One in the centenary year. Along with the special kit, tomorrow’s clash is Orient’s second “football for a five” initiative and once again it is sold out. Head Coach Justin Edinburgh spoke to East London Advertiser on tomorrow’s game “it will be a very special occasion with a big crowd present, the atmosphere, the fourth kit and the club’s history”.

• Home Record  – P9  W5  D3  L1  F17  A5
• Only Solihull and Wrexham (4) have conceded fewer goals
• Won one of their last three at home – W1  D1  L1
• Won five of their last seven  – scoring 14 goals
• Scored two or more goals in four of their last six home games

The O’s head into the clash with Bromley on the back of a 3-1 victory at AFC Fylde. A brace from Josh Koroma and MacAuley Bonne’s 13th of the season earned Edinburgh’s men all three points. Edinburgh described the victory as a huge win to leytonorient.com adding “it was a very good performance and a massive three points for us against a team that will be there or there abouts at the end of the season”.

Orient’s Last Six Results

Orient defended superbly at AFC Fylde and struck three goals at very important times in the game. With three of Orient’s next four games at home it will be key for the O’s to take their away form in to games at the Breyer Group Stadium. Despite the backdrop of the game, Edinburgh is urging his side to be fully focused on the test in front of them. Speaking to East London Advertiser “it will be a huge occasion but it is one we have to put aside and concentrate on the game because it is another game and it will be a difficult one”.

• 21/37 league goals have been scored in second half – 11/17 at home
• But seven of Orient’s last 10 have been scored in first half

Orient’s Next Six fixtures

After a hectic opening period of 20 games in 13 weeks, the enforced break has given Orient the chance for some rest, recovery and preparing for the run up to the Christmas fixtures. Embleton highlighting how weird it was without the need to prepare for a game but stated to leytonorient.com “we needed to try and find positive from it. We had a conversation at the beginning of last week, to make sure that the two weeks without a game is something to benefit from”.  He added “it’s been unusual but we feel we have got  lot of good work done in terms of what we need to do with the ball”.

• Kept eight clean sheets (five at home)
• No Clean Sheet in last two games
• Kept three in last five games 
• Kept five in their last seven home games
• Conceded just seven goals in last 15 league games

Last weekend gave the opportunity for Justin Edinburgh to watch Bromley in action against Peterborugh, a chance he rarely gets to do. The Ravens did the league double over Orient last season but Embleton feels his side have what it takes to get some revenge. Speaking to leytonorient.com “It is a game we’re excited about, we feel we know what their threats are and what they are able to throw at us. We are back at home, after a two week and excited to go back out and get three points”.

• Failed to score in three games all season
• Scored eight in their last three games
• Only scored in one of their last three home games
• Scored two or more in six of their last nine fixtures
• Eight of their 11 wins have been by two or more goals

The O’s sit second and are right in amongst the battle for promotion which Edinburgh highlighted was his aim but insist his side needs to continue to perform. Speaking to East London Advertiser “we are also coming up to the halfway point now and our first aim was to make sure we were in the mix and clearly we are there”. Speaking on Bromley “we are up against a team in decent form, but if we are at home, we go into every game looking to win, although we have no divine right to win”.

Top Seven in National League

Team News

Charlie Lee is expected to miss out after the knee injury picked up at Fylde, Dale Gorman should keep his place in midfield. Myles Judd is back from suspension and is available while Sam Ling could be back in contention after his ankle injury. Defender George Elokobi is hoping for a recall to the squad after completing 90 minutes in midweek.

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

The Three Meetings Between Sides

• Bromley completed the double over the O’s last season

Last Time Out – 3-1 win at AFC Fylde

Starting 11 vs AFC Fylde

Prediction – Leyton Orient 2-1 Bromley

Leyton Orient moved back up to second with an impressive 3-1 victory at promotion rivals AFC Fylde. MacAuley Bonne put the O’s on their way firing in his 14th of the season after four minutes before Danny Rowe levelled from distance for the Coasters. Youngster Josh Koroma put the O’s back ahead just before the break with a wonderful solo effort before striking his second six minutes after the restart to keep Orient unbeaten on their travels in the league. 

Fresh from back to back wins in the past week, AFC Fylde manager made two changes to his side that beat Gateshead on Tuesday night. Luke Burke and Serhat Tasdemir came into the starting 11 as Arlem Birch and Gime Toure dropped to the bench.

Fylde’s Starting 11

After their 1-1 draw at Eastleigh in midweek, O’s head coach Justin Edinburgh made two changes to his side. Myles Judd missed out through suspension so Joe Widdowson came back in after completing his three match ban. Dale Gorman came in for his first league start with James Brophy dropping to the bench.

Orient’s Starting 11

With both sides losing just one league match all season, they both looked to start on the front foot. With both Myles Judd and Sam Ling missing, Craig Clay deputised at right back and was caught out in the first minute. Fylde left back Zaine Francis-Angol was played in down the left side, his cross found Danny Rowe who saw his effort saved by Dean Brill.

Fylde were looking to assert themselves on the O’s but Orient had other ideas and took the lead after just four minutes. A long ball forward by Dale Gorman found Josh Koroma who shrugged off his defender and found his strike partner MacAuley Bonne. The O’s frontman made no mistake finishing beyond Jay Lynch to score the first goal against Fylde in 614 league minutes. 

Justin Edinburgh’s men were dealt a blow after just nine minutes when midfielder Charlie Lee had to be replaced through injury. James Brophy replaced Lee as captain Jobi McAnuff moved into the center of the midfield. Fylde were growing into the game and enjoying large spells of possession, mostly in front of the O’s defence.

Orient after Lee’s Injury

Danny Rowe, Fylde main threat, was the one to watch for Orient but the prolific frontman had other ideas. After four goals in his last three games, he made it five in four games, rifling home from 20 yards as the O’s backline afforded him so much space in midfield. 

The O’s were looking to play on the break, utilising the pace of Bonne and Koroma but were affording space in the midfield. Rowe and Nick Haughton both tested Dean Brill from distance before Orient began to force their way back into the game. After a sustained period of possession, the ball was worked nicely to Dale Gorman, who shifted the ball onto his right foot, but could only curl his effort wide of the post.

With Fylde’s defence weary of Koroma and Bonne, Orient went back in front two minutes before half time. Koroma was fed the ball on the left hand side, he broke inside two Fylde defenders and toe poked the ball home, in front of the jubilant away support.

Ahead at the break, Orient would get chances in the second half, it was a matter of how clinical they would be with them. We didn’t have to wait long for the answer as Bonne pounced on a mistake at the back, playing in Koroma. The O’s youngster made no mistake finishing beyond Lynch to make Orient the first side since March to score three goals against Fylde in the League. 

Fylde were rocked by Orient’s third goal but continued to enjoy the majority of possession with Orient waiting to hit on the counter attack. Clay continued to do brilliantly at right back, thwarting Rowe and Franics Angol on many occasions. The Coasters did go close when Andy Bond connecting at the back post but the ever dependable Josh Coulson cleared the danger.

Dean Brill was called into action when Serhat Tasdemir turned well on the edge of the box, but his low shot was palmed away by Brill to preserve the two goal cushion. Challinor threw Joe Cardle and Gime Toure on to try and get his side back into the game but Orient remained solid at the back, limiting Fylde to very little.

Orient continued to look a threat on the break with Marvin Ekpiteta going close with a header as time ticked away. With five minutes added on, the O’s continued to throw bodies on the line and held for an impressive 3-1 victory at Fylde who had the best defensive record in the division. 

Well, what a day, what a performance, a statement from Justin Edinburgh’s men. Going to a side that had only conceded seven goals in 18 games and score three goals in 51 minutes. A side that has belief, continue to impress and shows all the signs of being a real contender at the top of the National League.

What more is there to say about this team, the center back pairing of Marvin Ekpiteta and Josh Coulson, Joe Widdowson returning, playing like he’d never been away. Dale Gorman impressing on only his second start of the season, Dayton on one wing, Brophy on the other, McAnuff in the middle. Macauley Bonne and Josh Koroma in attack.

Every player deserves a mention but for me Craig Clay, another outstanding display, at right back too. Didn’t look out of place after his initial scare, Orient’s best midfielder this season filling in at right back and once more impressing. One of the first names on the team sheet and a real stand out for the O’s this season.

A statement of intent from Orient who have now taken 10 points out of a possible 12 against the current top six, winning their last three. A result which comes five years and one day since Orient’s 3-1 victory at Peterborough in 2013. Orient are a real force this season and with a front two who continue to score Orient will have a chance. Consistency will be the key but with Edinburgh at the helm, there is no better man to be in charge of this side.

A week off next week, some time for some rest and recovery but keeping the boys chomping at the bit for the next game. Orient continue to gain momentum as they hit another key part of the season.

Sitting on the train on the way back, looking back at a 1.30am alarm for work, three hour journey to Fylde, nothing beats that feeling of an away day victory with LOFC. Only problem is what fills the void of no Orient game next week……