Stevenage continue their dramatic race for the League One play-offs as Richie Wellens’ Leyton Orient come to town…
Boro currently sit a point inside the play-off places, ahead of Blackpool, Oxford United, Lincoln City and Leyton Orient who are all applying the pressure. A result against Orient on Saturday could prove to be huge, come the end of the campaign.
With just nine games remaining, Stevenage have a great opportunity of equalling their highest-ever league finish. The side come into Saturday’s game off the back of an unfortunate loss in Peterborough on Wednesday, so will be looking to return to winning ways at the tail end of the season.
Steve Evans’ side are no strangers to earning a victory over the O’s, having thrashed Saturday’s visitors 3-0 in this season’s reverse fixture. It was Charlie McNeill, Dan Sweeney and Nick Freeman who grabbed the goals on that day in September.
The Opposition
Like Stevenage, Leyton Orient have introduced themselves in League One this season with some big results against some tough oppositions. They have won 15 of their 38 league games, and as a result, sit tenth in League One, just six points behind Stevenage.
Despite this, Orient have failed to score in their last three games, resulting in two losses and a draw. On Tuesday, they hosted relegation-threatened Port Vale and were held to a 0-0 draw. On the other hand, their most recent win came at the end of February against Blackpool as Ollie O’Neill scored the game’s only goal in a 1-0 victory.
Three days before that, Orient travelled to Oxford United and proved that they can compete against their fellow play-off hopefuls. Oxford went 1-0 up at the Kassam Stadium, but second half goals from Ollie O’Neill and George Moncur wrapped up a 2-1 victory on the road.
The Os’ top scorer this season is versatile forward, Ruel Sotiriou. The 23-year-old has scored 11 goals in all competitions this season and has been a real threat to defenders across the division.
The Manager
Richie Wellens joined Leyton Orient just one week before Steve Evans joined Stevenage back in March 2022, and he has guided Leyton Orient to great success. Last season, after a thrilling battle for promotion, the O’s claimed the League Two title under the management of Wellens and were promoted alongside Stevenage.
Before his time with Orient, Wellens enjoyed managerial spells with Oldham, Swindon, Salford City and Doncaster.
The Officials
Craig Hicks has been appointed Match Referee for Saturday’s game, with Jacob Lehane and Hugh Gilroy as his Assistants, and Andy Bennett as Fourth Official. Hicks has dished out 88 yellow cards and four reds in 23 games so far this season.
---
