O’s Fired Up For Fylde Test

Macauley Bonne rescued a point for the O’s on Tuesday night as they drew 1-1 with Eastleigh. The Spitfires took the lead through Josh Hare in the first half, only for Bonne to level with his 12^th goal of the season after 66 minutes.

Orient now travel to AFC Fylde in a bid to get back to winning ways and climb up the table, after results for Salford and Wrexham saw the O’s slip down to third.

Sam Ling failed to recover from a knock picked up against Havant & Waterlooville for the tie against Eastleigh but should be back to full fitness for the trip up north.

Joe Widdowson has served his three match suspension and is eligible to be selected in Justin Edinburgh’s side. The left-back received a straight red card for a late challenge on Hartlepool’s Michael Woods during their 0-0 draw on October 13^th.

Opposition Profile

Dave Challinor’s AFC Fylde side have enjoyed a very good start to the National League season. The Coasters will not fear a visit from the east Londoners having gone unbeaten in nine games.

Striker Danny Rowe has bagged 11 goals for Fylde and will be relishing the opportunity to compete with fellow goal scorer Bonne.

The home side have no selection worries ahead of this clash. Three points for the hosts would see them leap frog Orient who sit just two points ahead of them.

Ones to Watch

For Orient, midfielder Craig Clay bagged himself a place in the National League ‘Team of the Weekend’ following his man of the match performance against Havant & Waterlooville at The Breyer Group Stadium.

The 26-year old midfielder was hailed as ‘immense’ by Edinburgh for his stand out performance, who praised the player ‘going forward’ and his intricate play.

Widdowson returns from suspension this weekend having missed Orient’s past three fixtures. The left-back’s absence has proven troublesome to Edinburgh’s pre-match plans.

The manager converted to three at the back for the FA Cup defeat to Maidstone, an attempt to try and compromise for Widdowson’s absence, but his return is sure to be a boost for the O’s.

As for Fylde, Danny Rowe knows where the net is. The forward has bagged 11 goals so far this season and will be looking to add to his tally.

The game promises to be filled with goals, while the home crowd will be hoping that Rowe is at his best to help his side secure a victory.

Previous Six Results

Stat Attack

• Orient and Fylde are the only teams in the National League to have lost just one game so far this season, both of these defeats came at home.
• Fylde have the best defence in the league, conceding just 7 goals in the National League so far this season.
• Goalkeeper Jay Lynch has kept 12 clean sheets for AFC Fylde in the National League.

Previous Encounters

Last season, the O’s travelled to the West Coast on February 17^th where Macauley Bonne’s penalty was enough for Orient to snatch a 1-0 win at Mill Farm. This was the Coasters first home defeat since September 2017.

Earlier in the season, the reverse fixture between the two sides saw Fylde come out on top with a 2-1 victory at The Breyer Group Stadium. Danny Rowe’s brace put Fylde in the driving seat, Jobi McAnuff pulled a goal back but this proved merely a consolation for the O’s.

Did you know?

‘Football for a Fiver’ is returning to The Breyer Group Stadium when Leyton Orient host Bromley on the 17^th November. With less than 500 tickets remaining for the fixture, the club have recommended you act fast to avoid disappointment. The club will also be wearing their new fourth kit for the fixture.

When and Where?

The game will be played at Mill Farm, the home of AFC Fylde, this Saturday 3^rd November with kick-off at 3pm.