Leyton Orient Preview

[Woody Wilson]

City – manager Chris Brass will be taking his York squad to Brisbane road all fired up after the weekends local derby victory against Doncaster. Before the game City had only recorded 3 wins from their last twelve games, and in contrast Doncaster had won six out of six so confidence in the team will have been given a much needed boost ahead of the clash with the O's.

Richard Cooper returns after suspension.

On the injury front influential midfielder Mitch Ward may return to the first team fold as he has recovering from the knock he picked up in the F.A cup defeat against Barnsley. He could find it hard to regain his starting place though after an impressive performance from the whole midfield, Darren Dunning and Stephen Brackstone in particular. Reports now suggest Christian Fox is to be included in the travelling party as he continues his comeback from a lengthy ankle injury. Leigh Wood is also pushing for a recall to the side and is on standby to deputise if any of the midfield don't make the game, after playing in the reserves last week however a place on the bench seems more likely. Jon Parkin will again sit out as he serves the third match of his four game suspension, which means the strike partnership will be fiercely competed by Lee Nogan, Gary Browne and John Shaw. Nogan is in good form, however both Browne and Shaw looked sharp and impressive after their substitute appearances against Doncaster, so any two of the three could start in London.

Other injuries are more long term however with Levent Yalcin and Steven Downes both out until the new year with groin and knee injuries respectively.

Possible team – Ovendale; Merris, Edmondson; Brass, Hope, Smith; Brackstone, Dunning, Bullock; Nogan, Shaw

Orient -boss Martin Ling has the un-enviable task of picking up his players after the 3-0 drubbing at the hands of in form Boston for the visit of the Minstermen. So the momentum is with city for the weekend clash, after the victory over high – flying Doncaster.

Leyton Orient's Dave McGhee will play no part after being told he needs an ankle operation. Lee Thorpe and Adebayo Akinfenwa return to the squad but Chris Tate is doubtful with an eye injury.

Other worries for Ling are Greg Heald and Simon Downer. Both are rated "doubtful" for the game with pelvis and groin injuries respectively, however Ciaran Toner should return to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury that has kept him out since August.

Midfielder David Hunt will miss the clash as he serves the final game of a two match suspension, however better news for Ling comes in the form of key striker Lee Thorpe returning from his three game ban.

Further good news is that Adebayo Akinfenwa is in line to make his debut for the O's after signing from Boston, and looks likely to play some part in the game after scoring in the reserves in midweek, both proving his fitness and match touch in the game.

Possible team - Harrison, Joseph, Lockwood, Miller, Newey, Peters, Hammond, McGhee, Alexander, Purser, Thorpe

Form guide last 5 league games - City - Boston(h) 1-1 D, Oxford(h) 2-2 D, Scunthorpe(a) 0-0 D, Cheltenham(a) 1-1 D, Doncaster(h) 1-0 W
Orient - Southend(a) 2-1 W, Bristol Rovers(a) 1-1 D, Northampton(h) 1-1 D, Rochdale(h) 2-1 W, Boston(a) 3-0 L


Last meeting - Orient 0-1 City, 8th February 2003

An early flurry of punches from both sides could have realised a nap of goals inside the first ten minutes, but none went closer than Jon Parkin's thumping 30-yard effort on the turn that crashed back off the Orient crossbar.

More chances were to go to waste for the Minstermen, as Shandran brushed aside Justin Miller but screwed his near-post shot straight at Orient `keeper Scott Barrett then Parkin inexplicably failed to get a touch to Tom Cowan's long throw which found it's way unhindered to the back post. However heads and hopes were still held high as the Half Time whistle blew.

Despite the missed opportunities, City's defence, marshalled superbly by Chris Brass, were looking a tough nut to crack and with such a firm foundation hopes remained high as the second-half got underway.

Just as the home side threatened to take a firm grip on the game City took the lead.Another Cowan long-throw, from close to the left-hand corner-flag, caught the Orient defence static and Shandran was able to creep in and glance the ball into the far corner of the goal.

Inevitably, Orient became ever more frantic in their quest for an equaliser with Ingham racing from his line to deny Alexander then producing a firm parry to deny Lee Thorpe's rasping drive before Brass hooked the latter's header of the line.

City were living dangerously but held out for success.


Related links:

YorkCityFC.com Prediction League

Official Leyton Orient Site
Unofficial Orient Site
Leyton Orient Message Board


{{ Return to YorkCityFC.com Home Page