The O’s fell to a second successive league defeat for the first time this season last weekend, as Ebbsfleet United took the three points with a 2-0 victory. Despite dropping points, Orient cling on to top spot with a better goal difference than second place Solihull Moors.
On the back of a 3-0 defeat at home to Salford City, Justin Edinburgh’s men will look to return to winning ways as they host Maidstone United, who are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the National League.
Defensive duo Marvin Ekpiteta and Josh Coulson remain out with injuries, whilst George Elokobi’s future at the club looks all but over after being placed on the transfer list this week. Jamie Turley is expected to start his first game for the club alongside Dan Happe in the heart of defence.
James Dayton remains side-lined with a knee injury picked up against Boreham Wood, though Jobi McAnuff may return after missing the trip to Ebbsfleet with a recurring toe injury.
Still Hope
Maidstone United come into the game with a new ‘Head of Football’ in the form of John Still. The former Barnet and Dagenham & Redbridge boss returns to The Stones 30 years after leading them to Conference glory.
Though Still had seemingly retired, he made a dramatic return to his former club on Wednesday and will be back in the dugout at the Breyer Group Stadium this Saturday. He takes over a team who sit 23rd, desperate for points as they hope to avoid the drop this season.
Blair Turgott faces a further month on the side-lines with a knee injury sustained in late November. Oliver Muldoon is available once again after serving a one-match suspension at the weekend against Dagenham.
Form Book
| Ebbsfleet United 2-0 Leyton Orient | Maidstone United 0-3 Dagenham & Redbridge |
| Wrexham 0-1 Leyton Orient (FA Trophy) | Maidstone United 1-0 Oxford City (FA Trophy) |
| Leyton Orient 0-3 Salford City | Hartlepool United 1-2 Maidstone United |
| Leyton Orient 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge | Maidstone United 0-1 Dover Athletic |
| Dover Athletic 0-0 Leyton Orient | Boreham Wood 0-1 Maidstone United |
| Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 Leyton Orient | Dover Athletic 3-1 Maidstone United |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Leyton Orient: 1st (National League) | 30 | 16 | 9 | 5 | 27 | 57 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Maidstone United: 23rd (National League) | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | -23 | 25 |
Main Men
All eyes will be on Macauley Bonne this weekend. If Orient are to win, they’ll need the Zimbabwean’s goals. The 23-year old has 18 league goals to his name this season, the last being the winner against Dagenham & Redbridge on New Year’s Day.
The focus will be on the visiting dugout as John Still takes the reigns for his first match of an 18-month contract. Still had retired from football late last year after leaving Barnet but has made a dramatic return to management.
Orient’s last head-to-head with Still saw them run out comfortable winners in a 3-1 victory against Barnet thanks to goals from Josh Coulson, James Dayton and Macauley Bonne at the Breyer Group Stadium.
Surprise Exit
Former Premier League player, George Elokobi, was transfer listed on Monday with the club releasing the following statement that evening:
“Following actions that didn’t meet Club standards at the league game against Ebbsfleet United, the decision has been made to make the defender available for transfer.”
The Cameroonian has played little football this season, though started last weekend’s tie in the absence of Josh Coulson and Marvin Ekpiteta.
Mixed Fortunes
The O’s picked up their first victory of the National League season against Maidstone back in August with first half goals from Josh Koroma and Marvin Ekpiteta. Shamir Mullings pulled one back for the hosts, but it wasn’t enough to deny Orient with the score finishing 2-1.
In October, the sides met in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round at The Gallagher Stadium. Goals from Elliott Romain and ex-Orient man Blair Turgott were the difference in a 2-0 victory.
When and Where?
The match will take place this Saturday 26th of January with kick-off at 15:00. 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 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.
