Kurtis Batchelor previews Leyton Orient’s upcoming FA Cup first round clash.
Leyton Orient will be looking to bounce back from a recent dip in form as they prepare to take on Ryman Premier League side Staines Town in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Orient have struggled to recapture their early season form and will be hoping to get some confidence to bring back into League Two.
Last year saw the O’s knocked out in the first round of the FA Cup when they lost at Oldham Athletic in what was to prove a difficult year for the East Londoners.
On the back of last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at home to Accrington Stanley, Head Coach Ian Hendon may hand several fringe players a chance to impress as they look to try and force their way into the side for the upcoming trip to Hartlepool United.
In-form striker Jay Simpson is currently the top scorer in League Two and will be keen to add to his tally of 11 goals this season.
Staines have played in four qualifying rounds to reach this stage, with a 2-1 victory against Vanarama National League North side Gloucester City in the last round securing their place in the first round.
After a nervy 2-2 draw against Faversham in the first qualifying round before winning the replay 3-1, the Swans went on to defeat Stanway Rovers 1-0 before smashing East Thurrock United 6-3 with striker Pat Cox getting his first hat-trick of the season.
Unsurprisingly Cox is Staines’ leading scorer this season with nine goals in the league but also boasts an impressive return in the FA Cup with eight goals from five matches. Cox will be key for Nicky Forster’s side if they are to have any chance of causing an upset this weekend