O’s Ready To Battle Spitfires

Manager Justin Edinburgh will be hoping his side pick-up from where they left off following a convincing 4-0 home win against Havant & Waterlooville last Saturday. Goals from Josh Coulson, Charlie Lee and Macauley Bonne plus an own-goal saw the O’s punish the Hawks.

The O’s bounced back from their FA Cup defeat to Maidstone United the previous weekend with a valiant home performance. Orient reclaimed top spot with Saturday’s victory, after Salford and Wrexham both dropped points.

Speaking to Rising East, Edinburgh was full of praise for his team:

“I’m pleased with the performance, I thought it was a positive start. I thought we looked a threat and we were worthy of the win. We’ve done a lot of work on the training ground. I think the players responded to that.

‘Decisive’ play

“I think if we’d have scored a couple more, it would have been justified. We were a very good unit today, we moved the ball well, and we always looked decisive in the final third.’’

Sam Ling was subbed after taking a stud to the ankle, but Edinburgh assured fans he will be available for Tuesday night’s fixture, claiming it was just a ‘knock.’

Edinburgh confirmed Orient have no other injury worries, though with fixtures coming in thick and fast the opportunity to rotate may be taken.

Opposition Profile

Eastleigh sit 10^th in the National League and The Spitfires will come into the game with confidence high, winning five of their last six league fixtures.

After the disappointment of losing to Aldershot at home, caretaker manager Ben Strevens will be delighted to have seen his side grind out an away win against Halifax. Josh Hare’s header was enough for Eastleigh to take all three points back to the South Coast.

Centre-back Reda Johnson missed the trip to Yorkshire but should return to the squad for Tuesday. Chris Zebroski returned to training last week and may make an appearance off the bench to boost his match fitness.

Meanwhile, the hosts were recently boosted by Sunderland goalkeeper Max Stryjek extending his loan spell until December.

Ones to Watch

Orient’s James Dayton was the orchestrator for a lot of Havant & Waterlooville’s woes on Saturday afternoon. The winger played with confidence, and his delivery caused all kinds of problems for The Hawks.

Dayton was delighted to have bounced back after being frustrated last time out at The Breyer Group Stadium, telling Rising East:

“It was a big win, we wanted to put things right after the disappointment of the 0-0 draw against Hartlepool.’’

Orient oozed confidence and will look to utilise their self-belief to get the win on Tuesday night, as Dayton emphasised to Rising East:

“It’s a tough place to go on a Tuesday night, but we go there in full confidence after today’s result.’’

Paul McCallum has been Eastleigh’s main source of goals this season. The 25-year-old forward knows how to find the back of the net, scoring important goals for his team.

With seven goals already in the league, the forward has the opportunity to score against his former employers on Tuesday. McCallum played for Orient between 2015-2017 and completed his switch to the coast in July of 2017.

 Previous Six Results

Stat Attack

• Former O’s striker Paul McCallum faces his old club this week. The forward has already bagged 7 goals this season for Eastleigh.
• Leyton Orient are undefeated away from home in the National League this season.

Last Meeting

Both sides will be looking to get one over on the other following two draws last season. In mid-March this year, the teams played out a goalless draw at Eastleigh.

Earlier in the season, both sides managed to find the back of the net in a 1-1 draw in E10. A 98^th minute equaliser from Craig Clay saw the O’s snatch a point at the Breyer Group Stadium.

Did you know?

The O’s have launched a commemorative fourth kit, a white jersey which boasts an iconic red chevron design with blue shorts and socks.

This strip is a nod to the club’s role in World War One. 41 players and staff enlisted while three players: Richard McFadden, Willie Jonas and George Scott were killed in action.

The squad will wear the kit for their home tie against Bromley on November 17.

When and Where?

The match will take place this Tuesday 30^th October at the Silverlake Stadium, the home of Eastleigh FC, with kick-off at 19:45.

Orient will be playing their second of three games scheduled this week. Following the match against Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday, Orient will travel to Eastleigh before visiting AFC Fylde next Saturday 3^rd November.