Leyton Orient will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record on the road in 2018 when they travel to promotion chasers AFC Fylde in the National League on Saturday.
In their most recent outing, the O’s took a share of the spoils drawing 1-1 with fourth placed Tranmere Rovers at Brisbane Road. Ritchie Sutton nodded the visitors ahead on the 42nd minute before Dan Holman grabbed his first Orient goal to secure a vital point for the home side.
Justin Edinburgh’s side occupy 17th place in the division with 36 points from 32 games. They have won nine, drawn nine, and lost 14 matches leaving them six points clear of the relegation zone.
Off the pitch, Orient captured the signing of defender Sam Ling from Dagenham and Redbridge last week. The 21-year-old put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal, returning to the O’s having captained the youth team earlier in his career. This week, 22-year-old full back Nathan Mavila joined the O’s until the end of the season from Ryman Premier Division outfit Wingate and Finchley.
Orient are unbeaten on their travels in league and cup since the turn of the year. After a goalless draw with Dagenham on New Year’s Day, the O’s saw off FC Halifax Town 2-1 in the league alongside FA Trophy victories at Bognor Regis Town and Dover Athletic.
The Visitors
AFC Fylde come in to the game on good form having lost just once in their last six league games. They occupy seventh place, the last play-off position, with 52 points and a goal difference of 16.
The Lancashire club have won 14, drawn 10, and lost nine of their 33 matches this season. In their previous fixture, a first half brace from the league’s top scorer Danny Rowe helped Fylde to a 2-1 win over Gateshead at the weekend.
Dave Challinor’s side orchestrated some stunning results at home in January, seeing off Tranmere Rovers 5-2 before thrashing league leaders Macclesfield Town 6-0. Fylde are unbeaten at home in their previous ten league matches and will be looking to keep their promotion hopes alive with another victory.
Ones to Watch
This match will see the National League’s top two goal scorers go head to head, with a combined 33 league goals between them.
For Orient, striker Macauley Bonne has 15 league goals to his name this season. Before the 1-1 draw with Tranmere last week, the Zimbabwean had scored two goals in his previous two league matches. Bonne has strength, power, and precision in front of goal. At 180cm tall, he is good in the air and direct with the ball at his feet.
For Fylde, striker Danny Rowe is the National League’s top goal scorer with 18 goals this season, two of which came in his sides 2-1 win over Gateshead last weekend. Rowe is effective at holding the ball up and can generate real power in his strike.
Both players will be keen to add to their respective tallies as they battle it out for the coveted National League Golden Boot Award.
Previous Results
| Leyton Orient 1-1 Tranmere Rovers | Gateshead 1-2 AFC Fylde |
| Dover Athletic 3-4 Orient (FA Trophy) | AFC Fylde 2-2 Eastleigh |
| FC Halifax Town 1-2 Orient | Woking 1-0 AFC Fylde |
| Orient 2-3 Aldershot Town | AFC Fylde 3-0 Maidstone United |
| Bognor Regis 1-2 Orient (FA Trophy) | AFC Fylde 6-0 Macclesfield Town |
| Orient 0-0 Boreham Wood | AFC Fylde 2-1 Guiseley |
Stats and Facts
- Orient have won their previous three away matches in league and cup by a one goal margin. (1-2, 1-2, 3-4)
- The O’s have scored the first goal in four of their last five away matches in all competitions, going on to win in each of those.
- Justin Edinburgh’s side have kept two clean sheets in seven away matches since his arrival in December, but have lost just once in that time.
- In their six home league matches in 2018, AFC Fylde have scored 19 goals and conceded six.
- Their last defeat on home soil came against Woking (1-2) on 23rd September, since then they have gone ten games unbeaten at Mill Farm.
- Dave Challinor’s men have lost just two of their 16 home league matches, failing to score only once in that time.
Last Meeting
The last time these two sides met was on 30th September at Brisbane Road, with AFC Fylde emerging 2-1 winners. Danny Rowe’s brace put Fylde in control, before Jobi McAnuff pulled a goal back for Orient on 72 minutes but it wasn’t enough to prevent Fylde talking all three points back to Lancashire.
Did you know?
Since the arrival of Justin Edinburgh, Orient have taken five points from a possible 12 against teams currently in the top six beating Sutton United, drawing with Tranmere Rovers and Boreham Wood, whilst losing to Aldershot Town.
Where and When?
The match will take place at Mill Farm, the home of AFC Fylde, on Saturday 17th February with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
Missing the Match?
Don’t worry if you cannot make the match this weekend. If you are on social media, you can follow live updates on the action via both clubs Twitter accounts (@leytonorientfc and @AFCFYLDE)
Also, match reports will be available on both clubs’ official websites after the game.
