In this new series at Everything Orient, Andrew Hodge will be taking a look at the new sides that will be joining Orient in the National League this season. First up, the promoted sides from the National League South.
The Southerners
With Torquay and Woking relegated, Essex’s Braintree and Hampshire’s Havant and Waterlooville are promoted to replace them. Teams promoted from the National League South have typically finished in mid table (Sutton and Maidstone in 2016-17 and Maidenhead in 2017-18) but Ebbsfleet proved what promoted teams are capable of by reaching the play-offs last season.
Havant and Waterlooville
Havant and Waterlooville are probably best remembered for their 2008 FA Cup tie against Liverpool where they led twice before going on to lose 5-2.
Promoted automatically, the Hawks finished level on points with Dartford and ahead by three on goal difference, boasting the best defence in the National League South with only 30 goals conceded.
Their manager is Lee Bradbury, who has managed Havant for six years. Prior to that he managed Bournemouth when they were in League One, having made over 100 appearances for the Cherries. He’s had ups and downs in his managerial career, taking Bournemouth to the play-off finals in League One, and leading Havant down to the Isthmian League, then back up, and on to the National League. He knows his club inside out and has good connections with teams across the south coast.
Last season’s top scorer was Jason Prior with 23 league goals, he will be one to watch next season. Also worth keeping an eye on are midfielders Theo Lewis and Wes Fogden who each scored 10 last season. Fogden has league experience with Portsmouth and Bournemouth.
Finally, none of their players have played for Leyton Orient and this season’s fixtures will be the first meetings between the two clubs.
Braintree Town
Braintree’s manager is their record appearance maker Brad Quinton who was appointed in May 2017 shortly after they were relegated from the National League. He was given the task of rebuilding the side and preparing for a promotion charge. Finishing sixth last season, Braintree qualified for the play-offs and overcame Hemel Hempstead (on penalties), Dartford (who missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference), and Hampton and Richmond Borough (again on penalties) to earn promotion back to the National league at the first time of asking.
The Iron’s top scorer from last season, Philip Roberts, is now at Hemel Hempstead, leaving Billy Crook as their lead striker with 11 goals in 2017/18. Potentially he will be partnered by Guyana international Marcel Barrington, who looks like a decent prospect. Newly signed winger Lyle Della-Verde has league experience with Fleetwood and Crawley so could be a threat.
Former Orient youth team captain Michael Clark has recently joined Braintree Town. Despite breaking into the first team in the O’s relegation season, and positive reports of his loan spells at Dartford, he was unable to secure an extension to his one year professional contract. I think all Orient fans will hope to see the 20 year old centre back do well at his new club.
The last time Orient met Braintree was in a pre-season friendly in 2015. Braintree won 2-1 in the game at Cressing Road, with Paul McCallum on the scoresheet for Orient.
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