Date: 19/05/2019
Time: 16:15
Venue: Wembley Stadium
The FA Trophy final could see Orient sign-off a historic season in impressive style. The double is on for The O’s, whereas Fylde will be looking to end the season on a positive note after narrowly failing to clinch promotion.
Orient will be hoping to put to bed a Wembley curse which remains painfully unbroken. However, with this season bringing the TV curse to an end as well as the all important league title drought to an end, there’s little reason to suggest that the curse will continue to loom over Orient after this weekend’s final.
AFC Fylde are no strangers to losing at Wembley, after they found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline against Salford in the play-off final on Saturday to confirm National League status for The Coasters for another season.
Whilst the Coasters have had the play offs to keep the players physically sharp, maintaining match fitness for Justin Edinburgh’s side has been slightly more challenging. The O’s hadn’t had any scheduled fixtures since they were crowned champions three weeks ago, but a friendly against Aston Villa u23’s where the O’s ran out 3-1 winners should go some way to maintaining match fitness in the squad.
The Champions have already done the double over Sunday’s opposition after recording victories, 3-1 away from home and 2-0 on home soil. A third win over the same opposition would give the O’s double silverware this season.
As well as the monumental team achievements on the pitch this season, individually, this game gives Dean Brill to make his 21st clean sheet of the season, a record breaking figure for any O’s ‘keeper.
Route To The Final
Dave Challinor’s side have had their fair share of excitement in their cup run this season including a 5-5 draw at Ramsbottom to force a replay and a victory over Barnet on penalties.
As for The East Londoners, a 4-0 thrashing of Beaconsfield started the cup run and a place at Wembley was secured after a 2-1 win at at Telford despite Matt Harold -Orient’s top scorer in the Trophy this season - being sent off.
The stage is set and the final destination of Orient’s two year long non-league adventure is Wembley Stadium.
Predicted Starting XI's
Predicted AFC Fylde Starting XI: Lynch, Francis-Angol,Byrne, Turncliff, Bond, Philliskirk, Croasdale, Haughton, Hardy, Bradley, Rowe.
Predicted Leyton Orient Starting XI: Brill, Widdowson, Ekpiteta, Coulson, Happe, Turley, Clay, McAnuff, Brophy, Koroma, Bonne.
What Do The Bookies Say?
Fylde: 37/20
Draw: 43/20
Orient: 27/20
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