Leyton Orient return to action at Brisbane Road off the back of an encouraging victory. However they face a tough test as they host league leaders Northampton Town who have been in fine form. Here we preview Saturday’s game:

Leyton Orient

Last Saturday Leyton Orient responded to their first defeat under Kevin Nolan by beating Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

The hosts perhaps edged a closely fought first half in terms of possession and control but Orient did well to stifle the opposition and they looked dangerous on the counter.

Nolan’s men were the better side after the break. They came agonizingly close to taking the lead when the rebound from Jack Payne’s shot fell to Kevin Nolan, but the player-manager’s shot hit the crossbar.

However, Jobi McAnuff put Orient in front in spectacular fashion, firing the ball into Portsmouth’s net from long range.

Nolan, Simpson and Gnanduillet all had chances to extend the lead but none of them could grab a second goal.

Portsmouth applied the pressure late on and created  a decent opportunity for Conor Chaplin only for him to head the ball over Alex Cisak’s crossbar.

The visitors managed to see the game out and secure three points much to the delight of the 1000 plus fans that had travelled to the south coast.

That win saw Orient move up to 6th place in League Two, but mid-week results meant that Wycombe moved above us on goal difference.

The O’s could potentially move as high as 4th place if they win and results go their way. However, they could drop down to 10th if results aren’t favourable.

Team News

Kevin Nolan may well be tempted to keep the same line-up that performed well against Pompey last time out and the lack of fresh injuries would enable him to do so.

The O’s player manager made his first start for the club as part of a five-man midfield that proved effective.

Nigel Atangana was not able to face his former side last weekend due to a gentleman’s agreement between the two clubs. The Frenchman may find it difficult to regain his place in the starting line-up, however Nolan may wish to start from the dugout, allowing the Frenchman to return.

Shaun Brisley and Nicky Hunt made their Orient debuts last weekend, with Connor Essam and Sean Clohessy dropping to the bench. The new signings are likely to keep their places.

Scott Kashket is a doubt after picking up an injury in the reserve match at Bournemouth in mid-week. Charlie Grainger is also likely to miss out again after suffering a wrist injury in training.

Lloyd James, Paul McCallum and Dean Cox all remain out of action, however the trio are progressing with their recoveries.

Ex Cobblers

Shaun Brisley  had a loan spell with Northampton earlier this season. He played 10 times for the Cobblers including an appearance against the O’s in September.

 

Northampton Town

Summer Transfers

Winter Transfers

This Season

League 2: 1st  FA Cup: 3rd round  League Cup: 2nd round  Top Scorer: Marc Richards 17

Northampton Town currently sit at the top of League Two, five points clear of second-placed Plymouth Argyle.

Chris Wilder’s side have produced some very impressive form which has taken them from mid-table in September all the way to the summit. They have lost just twice in the league since early September and they have drawn three times, racking up 17 wins during that period.

The Cobblers are currently on a six-match winning streak in the league.

Northampton are also 13 points ahead of fourth place and their position could potentially be strengthened further given the fact that they have games in hand over most of their promotion rivals.

Last Saturday they kept their run of form going by beating ten-man York City. John-Joe O’Toole broke the deadlock mid-way through the first half, flicking the ball home from a Lee Martin corner. Marc Richards then doubled the Cobblers’ lead ten minutes into the second half. Ricky Holmes led a counter attack and fed the ball to Richards who cut inside and curled his shot into the net. York’s task then became even more difficult two minutes later when Luke Hendrie received a straight red card for a mistimed tackle.

Last Line-up:

Smith

Moloney  Diamond  McDonald  Buchanan

Holmes  O’Toole  Byrom  Martin

Richards   Collins

(4-4-2)

Substitutes:

Clarke, Prosser, Rose, Hoskins, Cresswell (Diamond 37′), Taylor (Holmes 90′), Adams (Richards 69

You would have to go back to the end of October to find the last league game on the road that the Cobblers even dropped points in and they have not lost in their last six away league outings.

Only Plymouth have a better points-per-game average away from home in League Two.

Team News

Zander Diamond looks set to be available for selection this weekend despite being subbed off after 37 minutes against York City due to a head injury.

However, there are some concerns over Alfie Potter’s fitness and he is likely to miss out due to injury.

Lawson D’Ath is fit again following a spell on the sidelines with a groin problem.

 

Ex O’s

Nicky Adams played six games for Orient on loan from Leicester City in January 2010 and he impressed during his time with the club.

Northampton manager Chris Wilder spent the end of the 1991/92 season on loan at Leyton Orient from Sheffield United. He made 17 appearances for the O’s.

 

 

When the two sides met at the Sixfields Stadium earlier this season they had to settle for a point each. Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed the Cobblers in front late on and it looked like the O’s were heading for a defeat. However, Orient won a free-kick in a dangerous area in stoppage time and Dean Cox stepped up and found the top corner of the Northampton net to rescue a point.

The O’s and the Cobblers were drawn together in the Southern section Quarter-Finals of the JPT last season. Orient managed a 2-0 win at Brisbane Road. Jay Simpson opened the scoring half-an-hour into the tie and Marvin Bartley sealed the victory by adding Orient’s second goal late on.

The Cobblers’ last win at Brisbane Road came in April 2009, as they came from behind to win 1-3. Jason Crowe scored an own goal mid-way through the first half to give Orient the lead, but goals from Adebayo Akinfenwa, Aleksandar Prijovic and Ikechi Anya gave the visitors all three points.

Orient have not won at home in a league game against Northampton since April 2005. The O’s won 3-2 thanks to a goal from John Mackie and a brace from Lee Steele.

 

Match Officials

Referee: Paul Tierney

Assistants: John Law and Stephen Finch

Fourth Official: Michael Webb

 

Follow us on twitter @TotalOrient for match updates.