Leyton Orient will be looking to put Tuesday’s FA Trophy exit behind them when they welcome play-off chasers Ebbsfleet United to Brisbane Road in the Vanarama National League this Saturday.
After drawing 3-3 with Gateshead in the original quarter-final, the O’s made the long trip north for the replay on Tuesday night and narrowly lost 3-2 at the Gateshead International Stadium.
A first half brace from Danny Johnson put the hosts in command, before James Brophy and David Mooney drew Orient level. However, Richard Peniket’s 79th minute tap-in booked the Heed a place in the semi-finals much to the O’s frustration.
In the National League, Orient occupy 16th place with 42 points having won 11, drawn nine and lost 15 of their 35 matches this season. In their previous league outing, the O’s fell to a 1-0 defeat at Dover Athletic on March 3rd bringing their four-match unbeaten run to an end.
The Visitors
Ebbsfleet United make the short trip from Kent to E10 in a rich vein of form having won their previous four league matches.
In their last outing, Fleet edged past Hartlepool United 1-0 thanks to a Dean Rance goal which moved them to within five points of the final play-off place.
Daryl McMahon’s side sit ninth in the division with 55 points having won 14, drawn 13, and lost nine of their 36 matches this season.
The O’s will be looking to climb further up the table with a victory, while a win for Ebbsfleet would strengthen their promotion chances as the business end of the season approaches.
Ones to Watch:
For Orient, forward Josh Koroma has started the last six games scoring once in the 3-3 draw with Gateshead. The 19-year-old is skilful and direct with good close control and an eye for goal. Koroma will be hoping to keep hold of his place in the starting lineup for this weekend’s clash.
For Ebbsfleet, striker Danny Kedwell is the club’s top scorer with 13 goals in the National League this season. Most recently, he bagged a brace in the 2-1 win over Woking on February 20th. Kedwell is a physical presence who is equally dangerous in the air and with the ball at his feet, possessing a clinical edge in front of goal.
Previous Results:
| Gateshead 3-2 Leyton Orient (FA Trophy) | Hartlepool United 0-1 Ebbsfleet United |
| Dover Athletic 1-0 Orient | Ebbsfleet 2-1 Woking |
| Orient 3-3 Gateshead (FA Trophy) | FC Halifax Town 1-2 Ebbsfleet |
| Chester 0-1 Orient | Ebbsfleet 1-0 Solihull Moors |
| AFC Fylde 0-1 Orient | Tranmere Rovers 3-0 Ebbsfleet |
| Orient 1-1 Tranmere Rovers | Ebbsfleet 0-3 Boreham Wood |
Stats and Facts:
- Orient have taken seven points from 12 available in their previous four league games.
- The O’s have scored in three of those matches, netting three in total.
- Justin Edinburgh’s side have kept two clean sheets in their last four league matches.
- Ebbsfleet have taken 12 points from as many available in their previous four league games.
- Fleet have won their last two away games, scoring three and conceding once.
- Daryl McMahon’s team have kept two clean sheets in their last four away league games.
Last Meeting:
Orient travelled to Kent on the 11th November for the reverse fixture which saw them fall to a narrow 2-1 defeat in front of the BT Sport cameras.
Andy Drury gave Fleet an early lead, before Danny Kedwell doubled the hosts advantage just before the break. James Dayton pulled a goal back for the O’s on 81 minutes, but it was too little too late for Steve Davis’ men whose winless run stretched to 11 matches.
Where and When?
The match will take place this Saturday 10th February at Brisbane Road, the home of Leyton Orient, with kick-off at 3pm.
Missing the Match?
Don’t worry if you cannot make the match this weekend. On social media, follow live updates on the action via both clubs’ Twitter accounts (@leytonorientfc and @EUFCofficial).
Also, match reports will be available on both teams’ official websites after the game.
