The Breyer Group Stadium will host the FA Trophy third round tie between Orient and Northumberland side Blyth Spartans.
Justin Edinburgh’s side will be looking for victory with a spot in the quarter-finals and an £8,000 prize up for grabs.
Edinburgh may look to rotate his side as he has done previously in the competition. However, with a week off either side of this fixture, the manager may look to keep momentum with first team regulars.
Josh Koroma picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-0 victory over Maidstone United in the National League last week. The forward is expected to be unavailable for around three to four weeks.
James Dayton remains side-lined with a knee injury picked up against Boreham Wood in December, whilst Marvin Ekpiteta and Josh Coulson remain unavailable as they recover from respective injuries.
Good Intentions
Speaking post-Maidstone, Edinburgh made it clear that the club are taking the trophy seriously:
“Without a doubt (we want to win this.) Everyone knows since I’ve been here, it’s a competition we truly feel we can get close to, even win it. That will reflect in the side that I put out next week. There’s no doubt about that.
“It’s a home game. It’s a game that we feel we can win. We’re going to be against an opposition that are going to come here and try and prove themselves coming from a lower level.”
Brave Spartans
The Spartans come into the tie with a history of giant killing in cup competitions, being the only non-league side to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup where they were knocked out by Wrexham.
A famous rematch of the tie would have been set up should The Dragons have got past Orient at The Racecourse Ground.
Alun Armstrong’s side currently play their football in the National League North, sitting in 10th position after 27 games. Armstrong’s son, Luke, bagged a goal against Orient for Gateshead last August.
Form Book
| Leyton Orient 3-0 Maidstone United | Blyth Spartans 2-3 Hereford |
| Ebbsfleet United 2-0 Leyton Orient | Altrincham P-P Blyth Spartans |
| Wrexham 0-1 Leyton Orient (FA Trophy) | Bradford 1-1 Blyth Spartans |
| Leyton Orient 0-3 Salford City | Blyth Spartans 1-0 Boreham Wood (FA Trophy) |
| Leyton Orient 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge | Blyth Spartans 1-1 Alfreton Town |
| Dover Athletic 0-0 Leyton Orient | Spennymoor Town 2-2 Blyth Spartans |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Leyton Orient: 1st (National League) | 31 | 17 | 9 | 5 | 30 | 60 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Blyth Spartans: 10th (National League North) | 27 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 39 |
Stick or Twist?
All eyes will be on Justin Edinburgh’s team selection before kick-off. The likes of Matt Harrold and Jayden Sweeney will be hoping to make the starting eleven for this game.
Harrold bagged the winner in the previous round, whilst Jayden Sweeney has featured in both FA Trophy games this season keeping two clean sheets at left-back.
James Brophy could be the man to replace the injured Josh Koroma in the coming weeks, as Edinburgh may opt for five in midfield as a compromise to the usual 4-4-2.
Daniel Maguire is Blyth’s goal-getter bagging five goals in the competition already. The forward scored his 150th goal for the club against Boreham Wood, earning his side the long trip to London this weekend.
Trophy Trail
| N/A | 3rd Qualifying Round:
Blyth Spartans 4-1 Marske United
|
| 1st Round:
Leyton Orient 4-0 Beaconsfield Town
|
1st Round:
Lancaster 0-3 Blyth Spartans
|
| 2nd Round:
Wrexham 0-1 Leyton Orient
|
2nd Round:
Blyth Spartans 1-0 Boreham Wood
|
Proud History
Fans were quick to dub the tie ‘The Richard McFadden Derby,’ with the late war hero playing for both sides before the First World War. As these sides have never met before, the backstory of McFadden brings these two sides together poignantly.
McFadden was one of the 41 players and staff from Clapton Orient who signed up en-masse to serve in the Great War.
This heroic tale was told by the cast of the ‘The Greater Game,’ the sell-out shows which played during the month of remembrance.
Writer, Michael Head, spoke exclusively to Rising East ahead of a midweek performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ev0MZf6gQQ&t=43s
When and Where?
The match will take place this Saturday 2nd February at The Breyer Group Stadium, home of Leyton Orient, with kick off at 15:00.
If you are going to the game, simply head to Stratford station and take one stop Eastbound on the Central line to Leyton station.
The stadium is no more than a ten-minute walk from the station and is sign posted around the area. Alternatively, you can enter E10 5NF into your phone and follow directions.