The Bees travel to Brisbane Road looking for their sixth win in a row something they haven’t achieved in 14 years. A 4-1 thumping of Ebbsfleet at Underhill on 18th September 2004 completed the half dozen for Paul Fairclough’s championship bound side, today John Still’s squad look to equal that run. Orient of course will have other ideas unbeaten in their opening nine fixtures the O’s are up to third in the table just two points behind early leaders Harrogate. Brisbane Road has turned into something of a fortress for them so far with former Bee’s keeper Dean Brill going 275 minutes since conceding a home goal.
Last time we ascended the north face of the stand to one of the highest press boxes in the country we witnessed a brace from Ricardo Santos as part of a 3-1 win. Santos is in the queue for the treatment room these days along with a large part of the squad. So once again John Still is likely to be struggling to fill the bench where 16 year olds Aymen Amaze and Martyn Box were included last week. The return of goalkeeper Richards Matrevics from international duty will see him back up Mark Cousins this time but elsewhere there is likely to be little change.
Both John Still who started his career at Brisbane Road and assistant Darren Currie have worn Orient colours. Of the current crop striker Josh Koroma has set himself out as one to watch having become the clubs youngest player to bag a hat trick against Newport last year.
Leyton is the birthplace of Harry Beck who designed the London Tube Map and where metal band Iron Maiden first got together. The O’s also hold a special place in football history thanks to Fred Le May. Making just 10 appearances in 1932/33 wouldn’t normally be considered anything special but at a mere 5 foot tall Fred is believed to be the shortest player ever to kick a ball (we presume heading was out of the question!) in the Football League.
As John Still said in his match preview “its bends, its turns, its roadworks and sometimes you get held up.” So as we set the satnav for E10 along with 500+ Bees fans lets hope we get the green light and sail through to three more points!
Full coverage of the game will be on HRB Saturday Sport with Mel Beresford.
HRB Sport 