The Hosts
Orient bounced back from their defeat to Sutton United by sinking Maidenhead United 2-0 at York Road last weekend. Macauley Bonne and James Alabi notched the goals to keep Orient in second place, just a point behind league leaders Salford City.
Justin Edinburgh will be elated with his side’s response following their first defeat of the season against Sutton United. With yet another victory on the road last time out against Maidenhead, the O’s will go into the tie with their confidence reinstated.
Orient have no fresh injury worries following last weekend’s fixture, but George Elokobi remains on the sideline as he recovers from a hamstring injury picked up earlier in the season.
The return of Sam Ling and James Brophy gives Edinburgh the option to change things up, with one eye on the fixture list as games come in thick and fast.
The Visitors
Matthew Bates’ side make the long journey from North-East England following a home victory against Boreham Wood. Hartlepool won the game 2-0 with defender Andrew Davies scoring a brace at Victoria Road. They sit in sixth place, and a victory against Orient would see the gap between them and the O’s closed to just two points.
Pools have concerns for Peter Kioso, who was subbed against Boreham Wood after feeling pain in his hamstring, with the club assessing him ahead of the match this weekend. Paddy McLaughlin will also be assessed after missing the game against Boreham Wood because of pain in his groin.
Luke James has been receiving treatment after picking up a knock at the weekend. The forward was forced to withdraw himself from the England C squad ahead of Wednesday’s fixture against Estonia, after being advised to remain in the North-East ahead of his side’s trip to East London.
Luke Williams remains unavailable with a knee injury and is likely to be side lined until mid- November.
Ones to Watch
Orient’s strike force were clinical at Maidenhead with Bonne and Alabi grabbing a goal each to confirm the victory. Bonne has been exceptional and few defences this season have been able to stop him.
Every goal scorer needs good service. Experienced midfielder Jobi McAnuff sits in the heart of Orient’s midfield dictating the play. The former Premier League player likes to turn defence into attack and play the ball around midfield.
Hartlepool’s stand out man this campaign has been Liam Noble. The midfielder has six goals from midfield and is at the heart of all Pools attacks. The Sunderland academy man will have to be at his best if his side are to get a good result this weekend.
Previous Six Results
| Maidenhead 0-2 Leyton Orient | Hartlepool 2-0 Boreham Wood |
| Leyton Orient 0-1 Sutton United | Hartlepool 1-1 Aldershot |
| Braintree Town 1-5 Leyton Orient | Salford City 3-0 Hartlepool |
| Harrogate Town 0-3 Leyton Orient | Halifax 1-2 Hartlepool |
| Leyton Orient 3-1 Barnet | Hartlepool 1-1 Eastleigh |
| Halifax 1-1 Leyton Orient | Solihull Moors 0-1 Hartlepool |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Leyton Orient: 2ND | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 19 | 32 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Hartlepool United: 8th | 15 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 27 |
Stat Attack
- Macauley Bonne is Orient’s top scorer with 10 goals, four more than Hartlepool’s top scorer, Liam Noble.
Last Meeting
These sides last met on April 17th 2018, with Louis Laing netting the only goal as Pools secured a 1-0 victory at Victoria Road. Laing headed the ball past goalkeeper Dean Brill after 38 minutes and his side were able to hold out for the win, despite Devante Rodney seeing red in stoppage time.
Did you know?
Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling is a Hartlepool United supporter. But not just a fan – Stelling is president of the ‘Monkey Hangers’ after accepting an approach from club owners back in 2015.
When and Where?
Fancy coming to support a local side on Non-League day? The tie will be hosted at the Breyer Group Stadium this Saturday 13th October, with kick off scheduled for 3pm. All tickets for the fixture will be £5 for home and away fans in an exclusive promotional offer branded as ‘Football for a Fiver.’
If you fancy a trip to The Breyer Group Stadium, simply head to Stratford station and take one stop eastbound on the Central line to Leyton station.
The ground is no more than a ten-minute walk from the station and is sign posted around the area, you can also enter E10 5NF into your phone and follow directions.