County face arguably their biggest test of the season so far on Saturday, as we welcome league leader Leyton Orient to Edgeley Park looking to extend our unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions.
Last weekend’s win away at Newport was the first time this season that County had come from behind to win a game, last doing so at home to Wealdstone back in March.
Those precious three points on the road, secured by Paddy Madden’s late winner, moved us into the top half of the table for the first time, and cut the gap to the play-off places down to just five points – ten off the automatic promotion places.
Victory against the table toppers could see County end the day as high as 9th should over results go our way, and with Bradford City taking on Northampton Town and Salford City facing Carlisle United elsewhere in League Two, three points would see us make up further ground on the sides above us.
Leyton Orient meanwhile have enjoyed a sensational start to the season. A 2-0 win at Harrogate Town last weekend was their 13th in 18 league games so far, having lost just twice, and the promotion favourites currently sit three points clear of Stevenage at the top of League Two – 17 points ahead of County.
Coming to the game on Saturday? Click here to view our Fan Information pack, containing all you need to know ahead of your visit to Edgeley Park
Our Opponents:
The turnaround at Leyton Orient since the appointment of manager Richie Wellens back in March has been quite remarkable. The former Salford and Swindon boss inherited a side sat 20th in League Two and four points above the relegation zone, following a run of 14 games without a win that spelt the end of Kenny Jackett’s time in charge of the Club.
Seven wins from his first 13 games in charge saw the O’s pull clear of the relegation zone, eventually finishing in 13th – twenty points clear of the bottom two and 19 points off the play-off places.
Despite that strong finish to last season, few would have predicted the London side beginning the campaign in the fashion they did. A sensational nine wins and a draw from the opening ten games is the best ever start a side has made to a League Two season and saw them setting the pace at the top of the table.
A first defeat of the season did follow in their next game at home to Newport, and draws against Doncaster and Northampton in their next two saw the side briefly replaced at the top by Stevenage.
Three successive wins soon saw them re-establish their place at the summit, but another surprise defeat soon followed last week as they were beaten 2-0 away at local rivals AFC Wimbledon.
Despite that rare defeat, they retain the best away record in the division, picking up 20 points from a possible 27 on the road, conceding just seven goals in the process. In fact, their defensive record is also comfortably the best in the league, letting in just 11 goals in their 18 games – at least three less than any other side.
Having returned to winning ways at the weekend with a comfortable victory at Harrogate, the O’s will be looking for yet more away success at Edgeley Park tomorrow to maintain their title challenge, with the chasing pack still snapping at their heels.
One to watch:
There aren’t many goalkeepers out there who would fall into the ‘one to watch’ category, but Chilean ‘keeper Lawrence Vigouroux certainly fits the bill. The enigmatic 28-year-old has been crucial to Orient’s success so far this season, keeping 11 clean sheets in 18 games.
In fact, no goalkeeper in the EFL has kept more clean sheets than Vigouroux since the Chilean made his debut for Orient back in February 2020. He also has an incredible record at saving penalties during his time in England, saving a remarkable 16 in total during his time with Orient and Swindon – including two already this season. He is the base upon which this rock solid Leyton Orient defence has been built.
Match Stats:
- This will be the 63rd competitive meeting between the two sides, with County winning 19 compared to Orient’s 26 in that time.
- The last meeting between these two sides saw County secure a rare win during the 2009/10 season, thanks to goals from Nicholas Bignall and Greg Tansey.
- Paddy Madden’s winner at Newport on Saturday means he has now either scored or assisted a goal in seven of his last eight games for the Club.
- These two sides sit top of the form table over the last five games, with County picking up 13 points and Leyton Orient collecting 12.
