The Valiants welcome Leyton Orient to Burslem under the lights of Vale Park in Sky Bet League One action.
The Valiants will be looking to bounce back after Saturday’s defeat against Fleetwood Town. The game saw a debut for deadline day signing, Alex Mighten, and also the return of Funso Ojo.
The Opposition
Leyton Orient are the only team in League One to have no registered a loss in 2024. They come into the game on a seven-game unbeaten run, five of which they have won. A standout result for the O’s came against Portsmouth where they won 3-0 against the league leaders at Fratton Park.
In their last outing, they beat Carlisle United 3-2 at the Gaughan Group Stadium. Carlisle took the lead in the 20th minute before Shaqui Forde’s nine-minute brace helped The O’s go into the break with a 2-1 lead. Ruel Sotiriou added a third for Orient before Sean Maguire added a consolation goal from the penalty spot in the 95th minute.
Who’s in Charge?
Leyton Orient are managed by Ritchie Wellens who joined the club in March 2022 when the club were 20th in League Two. After ensuring survival in the 2021/22 season, The O’s were unbeaten in August and then won every game in September in what turned out to be a league winning campaign.
Orient ended the season in top spot with 95 points, six points above Stevenage in second place. They have enjoyed a good start to their first season back in League One, they currently sit on 9th spot on 42 points which leaves them ten points outside the play offs.
Player to Watch – Shadui Forde
The on-loan Watford winger is enjoying life in the EFL, he was found the net 8 times and assisted one so far this season. Two of Forde’s eight goals came in his last outing where he scored twice to help his side beat Carlisle United 3-2.
Another scorer in their last game was Ruel Sotiriou, he added to his tally of nine goals when he rounded off the scoring. The Orient forward also has three assists in his 28 appearances so far.
Fixture Throwback
Port Vale 3-2 Leyton Orient, Saturday 3rd October 2021.
It was the late, late show when Orient last came to Vale Park as the Vale scored twice in added time to earn all three points in dramatic fashion.
James Wilson gave Vale an early lead when he headed home from close range after Jamie Proctor’s headed assist. In the 60th minute Orient were level when Dan Jones directed Aaron Drinan’s low cross into his own net from close range. Four minutes from time Tom James fired a low strike into the bottom corner from 25 yards out to put his side ahead.
With the game looking like it was over, up stepped Dennis Politic to level the scores when he fired into the top corner from just inside the box following David Amoo’s cut back. Despite us being deep into added time there was still time for another twist in the tail. In the 94th minute, David Worrall won the ball down the right side before cutting back to Jamie Proctor who swept home into the top corner to send Vale Park into raptures.
The Officials
Scott Jackson has been selected as the referee of tomorrow's game. He will be assisted by Richard Wigglesworth and Emily Carney.