Danny Webb’s Orient side will be looking to build on their 4-0 thrashing of fellow strugglers Newport County last weekend as they return to E10 to face Grimsby Town this Saturday.
A first career hat-trick from Josh Koroma and a cool finish from Steven Alzate saw Orient brush aside their opponents in South Wales last time around, and keep within touching distance of the teams above the relegation places. Grimsby, managed by Marcus Bignot, come into this match on the back of a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Wycombe Wanderers.
The O’s currently sit in 23rd place on 32 points, and five points from safety, whilst Grimsby occupy 13th position with 47 points, seven adrift of the final play-off place.
A win for Orient would see them move onto 35 points with 10 games remaining, and should Notts County lose this would leave Webb’s side just two points off survival. However, anything less than a victory would add even greater importance to the O’s remaining fixtures.
Grimsby will be looking to stage a late surge for the play-off places, three points for the Mariners would be a huge leap in the right direction if they want to achieve this ambition.
Team News:
Orient will be without captain Liam Kelly, who serves the penultimate game of his six-match suspension, whilst Gavin Massey serves the last of his two-match ban.
Grimsby will be without central defender Gavin Gunning, who was taken to hospital with concussion in the defeat to Wycombe.
Points of View:
Young midfielder Freddy Moncur, speaking to Rising East at Orient’s community day this week, said: “I think we are going into it with confidence. The game on Saturday has given us a bit of hope, if we show that fight and togetherness then I am confident that we can get a result out of it that’s for sure.”
Grimsby boss Marcus Bignot told the Grimsby Telegraph:
“We have got to address our form away from home – there is no better chance for us than with two away games to come.”
Ones to Watch:
In Orient’s last outing, the stand-out figure amongst a very young yet talented Orient squad was midfielder Koroma. He had never scored for the O’s before, but proved his prowess in front of goal as he bagged himself a hat-trick against Newport. Not only has he shown his potential as a goal scorer but he is also technically gifted, physical, and possesses a great work rate. There is no doubt he will want to begin a scoring run and help his side to what would be a crucial victory.
Grimsby midfielder Tom Bolarinwa carries a creative threat in the Mariners’ midfield, with five assists to his name so far this season. Meanwhile, Calum Dyson carries a goal-scoring ability in attack and will need to be marshalled well by the Orient back line.
Form:
Orient’s form in the past five matches: WLLLW (6 points earned from a possible 15)
Grimsby’s form in the past five matches: DWLWL (7 points earned from a possible 15)
Stats:
- Orient have played 18 matches at home this season, taking just 10 points from a possible 54.
- Orient’s last home win was on Boxing Day, a 3-2 victory against Crawley Town.
- Since then, they have collected a single point at home out of a possible 18.
- Grimsby’s last away victory was a 1-0 win at Hartlepool United on January 7th.
- The Mariners have failed to score in their previous four matches on the road.
- They have conceded eight goals in those previous four away games.
Last Meeting:
The last time these two sides met was back in August, on Orient’s second away match of the season. Liam Kelly and Ollie Palmer found the net that day to give Orient all three points in a 2-1 victory at Blundell Park.
Predictions:
Orient will need to improve on their disappointing home record, however their emphatic win last weekend would have worked wonders for squad morale. Considering the fact that Grimsby have struggled on the road of late, this could be the perfect time for Orient to get that allusive first home win since December.
