We’re off to London tomorrow as we visit the O’s looking for a positive result
In the Dugout
Kenny Jacket first managed Watford in 1996 which was the only team he played for in his playing career. He later went on to manage Swansea City, Millwall and Wolverhampton Wanderers who he achieved promotion within his first season. He departed Wolves in 2016 and later managed Rotherham United and Portsmouth before joining Orient this past summer.
Jackett on the game “Port Vale are a good side; they’ve proved that over the season so far. They have had some injury problems they’re trying to work through like us all”.
Man with the Armband
36-year-old veteran midfielder Darren Pratley wears the armband for the O’s after recently signing in the summer. Pratley started out as a youngster at Fulham in 2002 making one senior appearance in five years as well as a loan spell at Brentford.
He moved onto Swansea City, Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic where he was part of a promotion-winning side in 2018/19 and spent a further two seasons with them before moving to Orient.
Pratley has made 24 appearances in all competitions this season grabbing two assists and six yellow cards. He missed the last league game having been sent off in the previous match in a 2-1 home loss to Crawley Town.
Star Man
Harry Smith spent his youth career at Brentford, Chelsea and Gillingham. He then went on to play in non-league for Sevenoaks Town, Sittingbourne and Folkestone Invicta. He would move up to the EFL in 2016 signing for Millwall and going out on loan to Swindon Town. He would later play for Macclesfield, Northampton on a permanent basis and Motherwell on loan before moving to Orient in the summer of 2021.
The 26-year-old has scored 13 goals in all competitions with 11 in the league and two in the Emirates FA Cup making him the O’s top scorer tied with Aaron Drinan. He last scored on the 18th of December when the forward grabbed a brace in a 4-1 win over Swindon Town.
Last time out and recent form
Orient have won two and lost three of their last five games. They scored four goals in both of their wins, 4-0 over Tranmere in the Emirates FA Cup and a 4-1 win against Swindon. They lost to Crawley and Tranmere in the league before a third-round down the road at Stoke City.
Tom Ince gave the Potters the lead two minutes before half-time and Tyrese Campbell made sure of the win in the 89th minute.
Their Home
Brisbane Road/The Breyer Group Stadium has a capacity of 9,271 and was opened in the c1890s. Orient had significant interest in moving into the Olympic Stadium following the games in 2012. They would have had a capacity of 25,000 but with only an average attendance of 5,000, the stadium was not a viable option.
Getting there
By Car
For satnavs, please use the postcode E10 5NF
Parking
Please note there is no public parking available at The Breyer Group Stadium. Being located in a highly residential area, there is also extremely limited parking in the immediate area around the stadium. Many surrounding roads are for permit holders only and there are limited parking options elsewhere. If you do intend to drive to the match, please take care to avoid penalty fines when parking by reading signage and by not blocking local residents.
By Rail
London Underground
The nearest London Underground station to the stadium is Leyton, which is located on the Central (red) line. It is just one stop from Stratford, which has connections to the Jubilee line, TfL Rail, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and various National Rail services.
Leyton is an 11-minute journey by Tube from London Liverpool Street and is also easily accessible from other London mainline stations such as Kings Cross St Pancras, Euston, Waterloo, Victoria and Paddington. Click here to visit Transport for London’s Journey Planner.
Walking to The Breyer Group Stadium will take less than 10 minutes. Upon exit from the station turn right out of the station and follow Leyton High Road for approximately 450 metres until Coronation Gardens is on your left. Turn down Buckingham Road after the park and the ground will be in front of you.
London Overground:
Leyton Midland Road is approximately a 15-minute walk from the stadium. From Leyton Midland Road, turn left towards Leyton and continue down the High Road past Leyton County Cricket Ground until you reach Osborne Road. Turn down Osborne Road and the East Stand is in front of you.
By Bus
Bus no’s. 58, 69, 97 and 158 run along Leyton High Road. Please click here for further route information from Transport for London.