Leyton Orient FC: Match Preview
Words: James Lee · Pictures: RB Media
The Bees head to East London on Saturday to face League One side Leyton Orient in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper. The tie at the BetWright Stadium will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, with a place in the Second Round at stake.
It promises to be a special afternoon for the Bees and the travelling supporters. After last weekend’s draw at Hebburn Town, manager Mitch Austin looked ahead to the trip and summed up both the scale of the task and the appeal of the occasion.
THE OPPOSITION
Leyton Orient are one of London’s oldest football clubs, tracing their roots back to the Glyn Cricket Club in 1881. They became Orient in 1888 and Clapton Orient a decade later, before adopting the Leyton Orient name after the Second World War. Saturday’s venue, better known as Brisbane Road, has been their home since 1937.
“It’s a big challenge. The Fa Cup is a magical thing.”
The O’s enjoyed their best FA Cup run in 1977/78, reaching the semi-finals before losing to Arsenal. More recently, relegation at the end of the 2016/17 season brought their 112-year stay in the Football League to an end. Their return came just two seasons later, when they won the National League title in 2018/19.
THE MANAGER
Richie Wellens took charge in 2022 and led Orient to the League Two title in his first full season, securing promotion to League One in 2022/23.
Wellens spent much of his playing career in the Football League, making more than 190 appearances for Blackpool and more than 100 for Leicester City before finishing his playing days at Macclesfield Town in 2016/17. He soon moved into management with Oldham Athletic, one of his former clubs, where a successful spell in interim charge earned him the permanent job. Spells at Swindon Town, Salford City and Doncaster Rovers followed before he took over at Brisbane Road.
FORM & FA CUP PEDIGREE
Orient have had a mixed start to their League One campaign and sit 14th with five wins, two draws and six defeats. They come into Saturday’s tie on the back of a 3–0 home win over Cambridge United, with Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Jaze Kabia and Aaron Connolly on the scoresheet.
Recent FA Cup campaigns have brought contrasting fortunes for the O’s. Last season they went out in the Second Round to League Two side Salford City, a year after reaching the Fourth Round and losing 2–1 to Manchester City. There is also a memorable upset in their recent history. In 2019/20, eighth-tier Maldon & Tiptree won 2–1 at Brisbane Road in the First Round.
ONES TO WATCH
Jaze Kabia has led the way in front of goal for Orient this season. The striker joined from Grimsby Town in the summer for a club-record fee and was on target again last weekend, scoring the second in the win over Cambridge United. Grimsby Town Football Club
Yusuf Akhamrich gives Wellens another attacking option. The Tottenham Hotspur loanee has contributed three goals and two assists in 11 appearances this season, making him one of the players the Bees will need to keep a close eye on.
Isaac Hayden brings experience to the Orient midfield. The summer signing has made 12 appearances for the O’s so far this season. He made more than 170 appearances for Newcastle United across his time at the club, gaining Premier League experience and helping the Magpies win the Championship title in 2017.
THE BEES
Saturday also carries a personal connection for Mitch Austin. The Bees boss was born near the stadium but has never been to Brisbane Road, making his first visit all the more memorable as he leads Harborough into an FA Cup tie there.
The Bees have already come through three qualifying rounds to reach this stage, beating Rushall Olympic, St Albans City and Spennymoor Town at the Beehive. Dempsey Arlott-John has scored four goals in the competition, including the dramatic hat-trick off the bench against St Albans City in the Third Round Qualifying. He will be looking to carry that cup form into Saturday as Harborough aim to extend their run.
