The Valiants host Leyton Orient as we return to Sky Bet League One action at Vale Park.
The Vale come into Saturday’s game following a convincing 4-1 victory against Leeds United U21s in the Vertu Trophy. Goals from Paton, Shorrock, Curtis and Faal ensured Vale started their Vertu campaign off with a win.
Post Leeds Thoughts
The Gaffer's reaction to Tuesday's win:
“Pleasing nights work for the team, a really purposeful, spirited Leeds United U21s team, and we had to get our press right. The biggest thing we worked on tonight was off the ball.”
“Tonight, to see four different goal scorers on the scoresheet is really pleasing and rewarding.”
Press Conference Takeaways
Darren Moore also gave his thoughts regarding Saturday's fixture:
“They were Play-Off Finalists last season, so some outstanding work that they’ve done as a football club going forward.”
“They’re a good, solid League One team that is full of wonderful attacking options and a wonderful balance over the team. I think Richie has done a great job there.”
About Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient is located in Leyton, East London. The travelling supporters will have to make a three-hour journey to Burslem on Saturday to see their team. The O’s were a National League club during the 2018/19 season, gaining promotion to League Two that year. They would make their return to League One in 2023, when they were crowned champions of League Two, winning the league by six points.
Richie Wellens’ side haven’t had the greatest of starts to the new season, considering their successes last campaign. They have picked up seven points from their opening six games with wins coming against Wigan Athletic and Plymouth Argyle. The visitors come into this game off the back of a 3-1 win over Peterborough United in the Vertu Trophy.
The Opposition Dugout
The man in charge at Orient is Richie Wellens. Wellens became the manager of Leyton Orient in 2022 and went on to win Sky Bet League Two at the first time of asking. Before moving to East London, Richie had managerial spells at Doncaster, Salford, Swindon and Oldham. He also guided Swindon to a League Two title win during his two-year stint at the club.
Richie also had a fruitful playing career across the EFL before he made the move into management. He made over 300 professional appearances, with the majority of those coming for Leicester City, where he made 143 appearances.
Player to Watch
Orient’s danger man is Striker, Josh Koroma. Josh has started the new season in good form, scoring three goals in his side's opening seven games. This included the winning goal away at Plymouth. The 26-year-old signed for Wellen’s side this summer following a spell with Huddersfield Town, where he scored eleven goals last season, whilst contributing two assists.
Fixture Throwback
Port Vale 3-2 Leyton Orient, 2nd October 2022
The last time Vale beat Leyton Orient at Vale Park was back in 2022, in a game which sparked wild scenes as two goals in injury time completed a magnificent comeback for the Valiants.
It was Darrell Clarke’s men who took the lead in the game thanks to a James Wilson header just six minutes into the game. Jamie Proctor had two huge chances during the first half to double Vale’s lead, but couldn’t find the finishing touch.
The visitors equalised with an hour gone. An unfortunate deflection off Dan Jones resulted in the ball trickling past the goalkeeper. Four minutes from time, Orient took the lead thanks to a long-range effort from Tom James, a goal which looked to have given the visitors all three points.
However, a minute into stoppage time at the end of the game, a David Amoo cross was blasted home by Dennis Politic to get Vale back on level terms. Moments later Vale Park erupted. A pass from David Worrall was swept home brilliantly into the top corner by Jamie Proctor, and Vale had completed the unlikeliest of comebacks.
