Stevenage make the short trip to East London for a crucial Sky Bet League Two clash with Matt Harrold’s Leyton Orient this Saturday…
Paul Tisdale’s men look to pick up a vital three points to kick off the month of March after a disappointing February sees the side sit two points clear of the drop zone. Leyton Orient, on the other hand, still look for their first win since December 2021. The O’s come into this fixture off the back of a 2-2 draw away to Colchester, thanks to a last-minute Ethan Coleman equaliser.
Founded in 1881, Orient were elected into The Football League in 1905 but were relegated out of the second division fourteen years later. The club have a Third Division South title to their name, winning the league in 1956. The 1962/63 campaign was spent in the top tier of English Football but the O’s only lasted one season, being relegated at the end of the campaign. In 1970, Orient won their second third tier title and reached the FA Cup semi-finals eight years later.
The East London club earned promotion out of League Two in 2006 but two relegations in three years saw Orient drop out of the Football League for the first time in 112 years in 2017. Justin Edinburgh was appointed manager later that year and he managed to steady the ship, reaching the final of the 2018/19 FA Trophy and clinching the National League Title which sent the club back into The Football League.
Orient have had a bumpy campaign despite a reasonably positive start. So far this season, they have won seven of their thirty-two games, drawing thirteen and losing twelve. Kenny Jackett was relieved of his managerial duties in February, with Matt Harrold taking over temporarily. The Os’ top scorer status this season is currently tied with Aaron Drinan and Harry Smith netting thirteen each in all competitions.
Boro and Orient have met eighteen times in the past, with the latter possessing the better win rate. The O’s have won nine meetings, with Stevenage winning four and the sides drawing five times. The first time these two clubs met was in the 1996/97 FA Cup Second Round as non-league Boro knocked out Division Three Orient, winning the match 2-1 in East London. This season’s reverse fixture ended in a stalemate at The Lamex.
Leyton Orient have played their home games at Brisbane Road since 1937, which has a capacity of 9,271. The highest ever attendance at the ground was recorded in the 1964 FA Cup as Orient hosted West Ham United in front of 34,345 supporters. Brisbane Road has also hosted several England Youth and Women international matches.
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