Match Preview: Stevenage vs Leyton Orient

23 October 2020

Former Orient player Romain Vincelot in action for Stevenage

Boro come into this fixture off the back of midweek defeat, losing 1-0 to joint table toppers, Newport County...

Stevenage have had an awkward run of fixtures in October but Alex Revell’s side will be looking to bounce back with a good result against Saturday’s visitors, Leyton Orient.

The O’s have had a mixed start to the season, picking up their second win of the campaign on Tuesday, beating recently relegated Tranmere Rovers 1-0. Prior to Tuesday’s result, Orient were winless in five league games and with the teams separated by two places, the game lt. For more on Leyton Orient this season, read A View from the Press Box.

The Stevenage squad is looking in good shape with very few injury issues to report on. Charlie Carter and Arthur Iontton have both returned to training, meaning Alex Revell has an almost fully-fit squad to select from.

Referee: Darren Drysdale
Assistant Referee 1: Nicholas Cooper
Assistant Referee 2: Stuart Butler
Fourth Official: James Adcock

For more on Saturday’s officials, please click here.

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Stevenage boss, Alex Revell said, "It will be a tough game, they have had an ok start. They have a coach that is still learning his trade, he is a top guy and vocal during lockdown in what Stevenage done and I have a lot of time for Ross and what he is doing at Leyton Orient.

"We have to focus on us and our attributes, strengths, spirit and make sure when we turn up on Saturday, we play with our heart on our sleeve and make sure we give absolutely everything and do not leave any ounce of energy out there, that’s what we ask for and we’ve had that so far."

Orent boss, Ross Embleton said, "It’s a very well-organised team and there is a good mixture of experienced players in there. Obviously, the standout one for any Orient fan would be people like Vincelot, people like Cuthbert, to name just two of them.

"It looks as if Alex has really worked them to be very-well organised and hard to break down. They probably haven’t got off to the run of the results that he would have liked but what their scores do reflect is that they are always in a game."

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Stevenage have a 21% win ratio against Saturday’s visitors, winning just four out of 15 all time meetings. A memorable victory against Leyton Orient came back in March 2017, a 4-1 home win which saw Boro jump into 7th place through goals from Ben Kennedy, Matt Godden, Luke Wilkinson and Tom Pett. For more on our record against the O’s, read A Brief History.

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Stevenage and Orient have a whole host of connections, including both club’s captains.

Scott Cuthbert played for the O’s between 2011 and 2015, making 133 appearances, the most for any club throughout his career. Likewise, Orient skipper Jobi McAnuff played for Stevenage during the 2016/17 season, under former boss Darren Sarll.

Boro boss Alex Revell was an O in 2010/11, a year before joining Rotherham United and three years before doing the dirty on his former team, scoring two memorable League One Play-Off Final goals to help his team to promotion.

Orient’s top goalscorer this season, Danny Johnson had an unremarkable loan spell at Stevenage back in 2015, playing just four games without finding the net.

And finally, Romain Vincelot is still revered at Brisbane Road, after three successful seasons at the club from 2012-2015, before signing for Coventry City for an undisclosed fee.

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Season Ticket Holders should have now received an email with their complimentary Match Pass code but with the game being played behind-closed-doors, the only way for non-Season Ticket Holders to watch the action is with an iFollow Video Match Pass, available now for just £10.

Click here for more information on how to buy yours or click here to make your purchase.

Match Reports

Report: Stevenage 0-2 Leyton Orient

24 October 2020

Stevenage fell to defeat at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday as two quick-fire goals from the O’s in the second half proved the difference in the game…

After a strong first half in which Boro played on the front-foot and looking dangerous, the team’s confidence was knocked after a mistake led to the opener, before a second was added soon after.

Alex Revell made three changes to the side that lost against Leyton Orient on Tuesday, with Ross Marshall, Arthur Read and Elliott List coming in to replace Luke Prosser, Romain Vincelot and Aramide Oteh. Charlie Carter also returned to the bench after picking up an ankle injury against Portsmouth in August during Carabao Cup action.

Stevenage began with intent from the first minute, charging Leyton Orient down from kick off with Elliott List intercepting a lazy pass before darting into the box, crossing just behind Danny Newton.

Leyton Orient had an attempt on 10 minutes after nice passing play from the visitors ended with a low driven shot from ex-Boro man, Jobi McAnuff which Jamie Cumming had covered.

Stevenage had a chance of their own a minute later as Elliot Osborne received a long ball in the penalty area which he controlled but opted not to shoot, instead shifting a pass across goal which was intercepted by Dan Happe.

Stevenage continued to play on the attack as a long range Jack Aitchison strike had to be tipped aside by Orient keeper, Lawrence Vigouroux.

Another chance came Boro’s way after 20 minutes as Aitchison delivered a free kick which Scott Cuthbert headed down for Newton, who struck the ball into the gloves of an outstretched Vigouroux.

Minutes later, Conor Wilkinson saw a wicked shot glide just wide of the post in a game already filled with chances for both sides.

On 30 minutes, Stevenage had a free kick just outside the penalty area which Ben Coker struck into the wall, only for Arthur Read to react and unleash a fierce strike that was saved well by Vigouroux.

A series of corners for the visitors produced the half’s final chance, as Elliott List’s miskicked clearance dropped to Josh Coulson, who shot tamely into the arms of Cumming. Overall, it was one of Stevenage's best halves of football this season, just that vital goal missing for Alex Revell's side.

Boro started the second half quickly, troubling Orient with a string of fast attacks and Elliot List broke away from his man, driving an effort towards the near post that had to be saved by Vigouroux.

Orient found space on the counter attack as the ball was shifted across by Wilkinson to substitute Jordan Maguire-Drew, who beat his man before cutting in and striking into Cumming, who did just enough to prevent the winger from breaking the deadlock.

Stevenage applied the pressure, but it was the visitors who took the lead on 63 minutes after a loose back pass from Luther James-Wildin was seized upon by Danny Johnson who passed across to Maguire-Drew, who slotted home calmly.

Orient doubled their lead three minutes later, after a quick passing move was finished off by an alert Wilkinson, doing just about enough to score past Cumming.

Orient searched for a third, this time with Wilkinson curling an effort towards goal from outside the box which was tipped away by Cumming.

Stevenage persisted to look for a way back into the game, as Aitchison was twice denied by Vigoroux during the closing stages of the game, but the search for goals and wins continued for Boro, as Orient left Hertfordshire with all three points.