This article focuses upon Leyton Orient’s next opponents, Maidstone United, as we take a look at their form, previous meetings and much more ahead of this fixture.
Date:13/08/2018
Time:19:45
Venue: The Gallagher Stadium
On the 12th August last year, Orient played Maidstone at home in their third match of the new season in the National League. It was unknown territory, but hopes were high for a rapid return to league football.
Despite a first-day loss to Sutton United, the team had recovered to beat Solihull 3-1 in their first home game, and they ran out 2-0 winners against Maidstone in what was seen by some as a comfortable victory. To me, however, it was by no means comfortable, and the Stones were a touch unlucky to lose in their last meeting with the O's
My reservations about the ability of the O’s side to instantly succeed in the National League were borne out the following Tuesday when they were thumped 6-1 by Bromley. Mixed results followed and the team slowly sank down the league table until, of course, Justin Edinburgh arrived and turned the side’s fortunes around.
So for me that game against Maidstone last year was a marker. It showed that no team in this league is a pushover and that it was going to be tough to escape from this division. Results for Orient so far this season have only served to confirm how true this is. Perhaps a victory against the Kent side will be a good indicator of our chances of success in the season ahead - but I think no-one now is anticipating a comfortable victory.
Maidstone were promoted to the National League from National League South in 2016. Their manager, Jay Saunders, has been in charge of the club since 2011, having previously been a player and then player-manager. Saunders has been active in the transfer market over the last couple of months, adding a number of new players to his squad including former Bournemouth striker Joe Quigley, 6ft 5in centre forward Shamir Mullings (ex Forest Green Rovers), and former Norwich City defender Michee Efete.
There will be at least one face familiar to Orient fans in the shape of Maidstone number 11, Blair Turgott - who has scored all three of the Stones’ goals this term. The striker spent one season at the O’s in 2015-16, making 31 appearances and scoring one of the most spectacular goals seen at Brisbane Road when he hit a first time volley from 18 yards in a 3-0 win against Stevenage.
Maidstone have a strong team and have made a reasonable start to the season with a win, a draw and a loss, gaining four points from their three games - one more than Orient’s tally. So it is likely to be a close match and a tough test for the O’s. Although Orient are unbeaten so far, the three draws they have achieved have disappointed many fans and the expectations of success that were so high at the start of the season have now rather dwindled.
There have been calls for new players to be brought in and rumours of possible loan signings. And there is keen anticipation amongst supporters to finally see Dale Gorman in an Orient shirt, in the hope that he will be the player to spark our midfield. It is probably true to say too that there is a general consensus that Dayton, Brophy and Koroma should be in Edinburgh’s starting eleven.
So there is much to look forward to on Tuesday night – hopes for a first victory countered by fears of yet another disappointment, and excitement about the possibility of seeing new players in the team. What is certain is that Orient fans across the country will follow the game with eager anticipation.
Team News
George Elokobi will not feature for the O's following a hamstring injury whilst newly signed midfielder, Dale Gorman, is unlikely to feature. Maidstone, on the other hand, enter this fixture with a fully fit squad at their disposal.
Potential Starting XI's
Potential Maidstone United Starting XI: Worgan, McLennan, Wynter, Finney, De Havilland, Lewis, Loza, Mullings, Turgott, Ofori-Twumasi, Muldoon
Potential Leyton Orient Starting XI: Brill, Ling, Ekpiteta, Coulson, Widdowson, Brophy, Lawless, Lee, McAnuff, Alabi, Bonne
What Do The Bookies Say?
Maidstone United - 8/5
Draw - 11/5
Leyton Orient - 13/8
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