Leyton Orient return to league action with a trip to Morecambe. The Shrimps have made a strong start and the table-toppers will be confident of keeping their winning run going. Here we preview Saturday’s action:

Morecambe

Last Season

League Two: 21st FA Cup: 1st round  Top scorer: Shaun Miller 16

Last term, Morecambe looked like they may be involved in the race for a play-off place, however, their form detirorated dramatically.

The Shrimps managed just two victories in their last 21 games, which saw them finish in 21st place on 46 points, 12 points above the drop zone.

Jim Bentley’s men conceded more goals than any other League Two side last term. They shipped 91 goals overall and they also conceded the most goals at home last season.

Summer Transfers

This Season

League Two: 1st  League Cup: 2nd Round

Morecambe have made a fantastic start to the new campaign, winning four of their first five league games, putting them at the top of the table.

The Shrimps have also attracted new investment as Brazilian businessman Diego Lemos has acquired a majority shareholding in the club.

Morecambe’s only loss in League Two came on the opening day of the season when they made the trip Blundell Park. Grimsby Town managed to beat the Shrimps by two goals to nil.

Jim Bentley’s side recorded their first win of the campaign in the League Cup in a thrilling 4-5 win over their Championship opponents Rotherham.

Morecambe went on to claim home wins over Blackpool and Portsmouth before defeating Yeovil Town by a goal to nil at Huish Park.

The Shrimps have suffered two cup defeats, but they kept their winning streak in the league intact by beating Accrington Stanley last weekend.
Accrington took the lead after 27 minutes thanks to Billy Kee’s goal and the striker doubled his and Stanley’s tally ten minutes before the break. However, just two minutes later Accrington were reduced to ten men when Mark Hughes was dismissed. That gave Morecambe a way back into the game and they managed to pull a goal back in first-half stoppage time through Cole Stockton.

The Shrimps then got back in level terms early in the second-half. Veteran striker Kevin Ellison equalised for the visitors and Stockton then grabbed a goal just before the hour, completing his brace and Morecambe’s comeback.

Last Line-up:

Roche

Wakefield  Edwards  Whitmore  Conlan

Fleming  Rose

Barkhuizen  Ellison  Dunn

Stockton

(4-2-3-1)

Substitutes:

McGowan,  Kenyon (Fleming 75′),  Mullin,  Molyneux (Dunn 75′),  Nizic,  Turner (Stockton 81′),  Hedley

Team News

Peter Murphy has returned to action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee ligament injury, therefore he could well be in the matchday squad to face the O’s.

Jim Bentley will be without Dean Winnard and Aaron Wildig as both are out of action due to their knee injuries.
Luke Conlan is also unavailable as he is currently on international duty with the Northern Ireland Under-21s.

However, Bentley has added to his squad this week with two players signing on transfer deadline day. Cheltenham Town defender James Jennings has joined on loan and Morecambe have also agreed a loan deal with Burnley striker Ntumba Massanka. Both could make their debuts on Saturday.

 

 

Leyton Orient

Orient’s last league outing ended in defeat as Mansfield Town snatched a late winner.

Orient had early chances. Ollie Palmer had a couple of opportunities and Gavin Massey went close with a curling effort.

The O’s were fortunate to avoid falling behind when Yvan Erichot gave away a penalty. Fortunately, Matt Green fired his penalty high over the crossbar.

However, Mansfield managed to take the lead in the second half. Kevan Hurst’s cross was allowed to reach the far post and Mitchell Rose was on hand to fire the ball past Alex Cisak.

Less than five minutes later Liam Kelly equalised for the O’s with a composed, curled finish from the edge of the area. However, The Stags snatched the winner in the final minute of normal time as Matt Green took advantage of Orient’s defensive errors by firing home at the far post.

 

Team News

Paul McCallum has returned to action and therefore he could be set to continue in the side this weekend.

Jay Simpson is still a doubt due to the back injury that has plagued him in recent weeks. He recently saw a specialist to help his recovery from the injury but it is unclear how long he will be out of action for.

Nigel Atangana is also an injury doubt due to a groin/hip flexor problem which could well rule him out of this weekend’s game. Yvan Erichot has also picked up a knock, but he has returned to training.

The O’s will, of course, be without Dean Cox after the long-serving midfielder had his contract terminated by mutual consent on Thursday.

Sean Clohessy and Scott Kashket also had their contracts terminated on Wednesday before the transfer deadline.

French forward Ulrich Nnomo was added to the Orient squad earlier this week but he is expected to be unavailable as his move is thought to be awaiting international clearance.

Fellow new signing Teddy Mezague will be out of action until January due to an Achilles injury.

Josh Doherty is on international duty with Norther Ireland’s Under-21s.

 

 

Last season marked the first time that the sides had played each other and the O’s claimed narrow victories in both games.

Orient travelled to the Globe Arena back in October and they recorded a 0-1 victory over Morecambe.
Orient’s goal came in fortuitous circumstances as the ball rebounded off of Jack Payne on the edge of the hosts’ penalty area and travelled past Shrimps stopper Barry Roche. Alex Cisak had to make some good saves in the latter stages of the game, but the O’s held out

When the Shrimps made the trip to Brisbane Road back in March the O’s won by a single goal again. Morecambe were reduced to ten men after just 12 minutes as Barry Roche was dismissed. Orient only managed to make their numerical advantage count after 80 minutes when Ryan Edwards scored an own goal and that proved to be enough to give the O’s all three points.

 

Match Officials

Referee: John Brooks

Assistants: Michael Denton and Ryan Johnson

Fourth Official: Nick Greenhalgh

 

Globe Arena

Post Code: LA4 4TB

Capacity: 6,476 (Seating 2,173)