Leyton Orient Fixtures Have Officially Been Released - Including News and Opinions

On Wednesday 4th July the National League released the 24 clubs fixtures for the 2018/19 season which starts in a months time, in this article we will review Orient's fixtures. 

This image was published by Pitchero

So like last season, Orient start the campaign with a packed August and September with games coming thick and fast, The O's open their campaign away at newly promoted Salford City, a nice day out in Manchester to look forward to and it should be a very good game. Orient's first home game is against Ebbsfleet United under the lights on a August Tuesday night, followed by a home game against Barrow, similar to last years fixturing when Orient played away first then two home games to follow. Orient are away to relegated Chesterfield on the first Saturday in September, then the following week are away at Halifax, Orient host London rivals Barnet on Saturday 15th September. 

October sees Orient host Hartlepool United on Saturday 13th, that game ended 2-1 to the pools last season in front of the BT cameras, then the following week Orient are involved in the 4th Qualifier round of the FA Cup. On the 10th November if Orient go through in the cup they will play a first round FA cup tie, Wrexham away is on the 24th November and Aldershot at home is on a Tuesday night the 27th November. 

Orient open the month with either Gateshead at home or a FA Cup second round tie, the FA Trophy first round will take place on the 15th December. Then the O's host Chesterfield on the 22nd and then are away at Dagenham & Redbridge on boxing day, with the reverse fixture on New Years Day, a reverse to last season. Orient end 2018 away at Dover on the 30th December. 

Orient start 2019 at home to Dagenham & Redbridge, on Saturday the 5th of January Salford City visit Brisbane Road if the O's don't make the 3rd round of the FA Cup. The following week is the FA Trophy 2nd Round. Orient open February with an away trip to Barrow pending weather and if Orient are still in the FA Trophy, the following week is an away trip to Hartlepool.

The O's start march with an away trip to newly promoted Havant & Waterlooville, the following Saturday is a home game against Wrexham, followed by Aldershot away on Tuesday 12th. Orient head south of the river to Bromley on the 16th and away to John Still's Barnet at the Hive on the 30th March. Orient end the campaign at home to Braintree Town on the 27th April. 

This image was published by Leyton Orient

PLANNING AWAY DAYS THIS SEASON?

Check out Everything Orient's away day guide for the 2018/19 National League season right here.

News 

Our away match to Salford City on the opening day of the season has been picked for television coverage on BT Sport, as a result the kick off of this game has been changed from a 3 o clock kick off to 12:30 on the same date of Saturday the 4th August. 

Due to England's dramatic win against Columbia in the World Cup, the three lions Quarter final against Sweden is a 3pm kick off on Saturday 7th July, clashing with Orient's pre season friendly away at Harlow Town at Burrows farm. Furthermore Harlow Town FC have changed the kick off time to the earlier time of 11:30 am to accommodate fans so everyone can watch Football Come Home.

My Opinions 

I'm happy with the fixtures, good to have Salford away to start off with but BT Sport coverage means the game has been put back early, an inconvenience to O's fans like myself traveling to Moor Lane by rail and want to get the most out of the City of Manchester. 

In my opinion, I think we don't have too much of a hard start, hopefully winning our opening games will give us the confidence and momentum to continue good form through a trying fixture schedule. Same with the run in at the end of the season, looking at the fixtures now I'd say Barnet would be our last hard game on the 30th March, this will help us should we be in the promotion race.

Thanks for reading this article, the countdown begins and it's one month till Orient start their National League campaign, a few more additions and who knows? We might be on our way back. But whatever the O's route is we'll be there along the way with plenty of AwayDays articles throughout the season giving you the Away day fan experience. Orient start pre season at Harlow Town on Saturday 7th July. 

Written by Roman Quane