Match Preview: Leyton Orient versus Port Vale, 28th September 2019
Will John Askey make changes to his line-up in light of the impressive midweek display at Macclesfield – here’s our guide to the trip to Leyton Orient…
Team news
It will be a welcome selection quandry for Vale manager John Askey after several squad players impressed in the 3-2 Football League trophy win over Macclesfield. The most impressive was arguably Scott Burgess who earned praise from Askey and the youngster did his chances no harm with a debut goal. There was also a welcome return for midfield dynamo Manny Oyeleke.
Guess the crowd, win prizes
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Stats
It’s four years since the sides last met at Brisbane Road. That match, which took place on the 25th October ended in a 3-1 defeat for Vale’s ten men. The match turned on the sending-off of Vale keeper Chris Neal on 51 minutes. Midfielder Chris Birchall (right) scored Vale’s goal. The match earlier that season ended in a 3-0 home win for Vale with Orient finishing with ten men. Vale’s goals came from Adam Yates, Ben Williamson and a Nathan Clarke own-goal.
Vale have won just once in their last five visits to Orient and the overall record is 33 Vale wins, 18 Orient wins and eight draws.
Opposition Guide
Vale will almost certainly face a new Orient manager later in the season after Ross Embleton announced he would step down. Embleton, appointed after the tragic death of Justin Edinburgh has a record of two wins, five losses and three draws this season. 25 year-old Lee Angoll and youngster Jordan Maguire-Drew are the club’s leading scorers with three apiece. Dean Brill is the first-choice in goal while former Cambridge man Josh Coulson is the captain. The encouraging news is that Orient have won just two of six home fixtures this season.
Connections
One player who impressed on Tuesday night was defender Shaun Brisley, who made his debut for the Valiants. Brisley has an outside chance of facing one of his former clubs – the central defender had a spell on loan with Orient in 2016.
Other players to appear for both clubs in recent years include midfielder Anthony Griffith, winger Shane Tudor, right-back Justin Miller and defender Clayton Fortune.
Pre-match quote
Confidence goes a long way as a footballer. When you have positivity around the club then you are going to feel that on the pitch. I know I joined quite late last year but I can feel the difference, it is massive and it is very helpful…
Port Vale defender Adam Crookes (right)
Memory match
A Port Vale victory over Leyton Orient played a crucial part in their memorable FA Cup run of the 1953-54 season. 8,000 Vale fans travelled down for the sixth round clash, played in front of a crowd of 31,000. The only goal of the game came from Albert Leake (above) – his sixth cup goal of the season – as Vale reached the semi-final stages.