PREVIEW: Orient

Leyton Orient v Carlisle United, Saturday 1 April, kick off 3pm

With just five defeats in the league all season it's little surprise that the O's sit at the top of the pile with automatic promotion well within their grasp. 

Their last defeat came in what was a mini-wobble at the end of January, when they lost back-to-back away games against Stevenage and Tranmere, but since then they've won four and drawn five in a nine-game unbeaten run.

Promotion is by no means guaranteed, but as each game ticks by it looks ever more likely, and the club is already looking to the future as they prepare themselves to confirm a £1.5m loss.

When looking to address the isssues, chief executive Mark Devlin said recently: "I joined Orient just over a year ago and the club is at the same level Brentford were when I joined them in 2011.

"It's very tough. If we were to get promoted then talk of a new stadium is all about planning for the future, which is part of my responsibility - to keep one eye on what could happen going forward as well as keeping an eye on the day-to-day.

"Brentford have got a fantastic ownership model, they have stayed true to their values. It's great to see what's happening there. Seeing how Brentford have grown and how they've run it has become a blueprint."

Midfielder Paul Smyth has energy and a willingness to get forward, as shown by his goal return of 10 from 33 appearances.

He thought he'd scored the winner at Hartlepool last weekend until the home side popped up with a late equaliser, but his game is about much more than goals. 

Able to work out wide, or in a number of different roles, he has to be watched closely in and around that final third.

Click HERE to purchase an audio match pass which will allow you to listen to this game via our streaming iFollow service.

With match commentary provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through the season.

Match audio passes are available for ALL EFL league games - click HERE to find out more about this season’s iFollow United service.

The sides have met a total of 60 times over the years, with a very even spread of results to show for it.

There was plenty to talk about after the O's took a 3-2 win from their trip to Brunton Park in October 2022. Theo Archibald gave the visitors the lead, but Ryan Edmondson pounced to level things up. Archibald scored again moments later, and Edmondson was sent off to make the task ahead even tougher. Aaron Drinan extended the visiting lead to two goals after half time, and a strike on the hour from Jordan Gibson wasn't quite enough to open the door to a levelling of the scores.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Manager Paul Simpson's first game in charge of his second spell with the club was won thatnks to an early goal from Omari Patrick in February 2022.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Carlisle hosted Orient in August 2021 and they took the lead courtesy of an early Tristan Abrahams penalty. Harry Smith levelled with just over 15 minutes to go, and it ended at 1-1 with a share of the spoils.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

It was a game packed with incident in May 2021 as Orient went ahead through Conor Wilkinson at the Breyer Group Stadium with three minutes on the clock. Jon Mellish pulled it level just before the break, but the O's were back in front almost straight away as Dan Kemp netted. Magnus Norman saved a penalty, and it became United's day as Lewis Alessandra bagged from the spot. That paved the way for George Tanner to snatch a late, late winner in time added on.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

The March 2021 meeting of these sides was actually at the fourth time of asking with the previous fixture dates having fallen foul of cold weather (twice) and a covid outbreak. It appeared to be heading towards a 0-0 draw until Conor Wilkinson snatched a late, late winner for the visitors.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

October 2019 took the Blues to East London where a clean strike from Jack Iredale just after the break cancelled out an early Josh Wright penalty.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

These teams came together in February 2017, also at the home of the O's. Gavin Massey gave the hosts the lead but strikes from Gary Liddle and Jamie Proctor earned the visitors a creditable 2-1 victory. The afternoon took a bad turn for Proctor, though, when he was sent off just eight minutes after bagging the winner.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

The sides met earlier that season at Brunton Park where they played out a 2-2 draw. The Blues had to come from behind twice as Paul McCallum and Harry Cornick netted for the Orient. Charlie Wyke got United's first, with Danny Grainger caliming the point from the penalty spot late in the game.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Referee - Benjamin Speedie
Assistant Referee 1 - Joseph Stokes
Assistant Referee 2 - Daniel Cook
Fourth Official - James Vallance
Observer - Keith Hill

Our referee for this fixture is Mr Ben Speedie. He has taken charge of 29 games so far this season showing 115 yellow cards and four reds.

We saw him at Doncaster on New Year's Day in 2023 when the hime side took the lead through James Maxwell and Kyle Hurst. Kris Dennis scored a late consolation for the Blues, and Jayden Harris had his name taken.

He had the whistle for our 2-0 away defeat at Stockport in October 2022. Fin Back and Jordan Gibson were booked that day.

We saw him here in Carlisle in October 2021 for what was a slog of a 0-0 draw. Obviously there were no goals, and there were also no names taken.

He was at Brunton Park for our 3-1 Football League Trophy defeat to Fleetwood at the beginning of September 2020. It was an eventful night for Gime Toure, who both scored and was sent off, but the group game points went to the Cod Army thanks to goals from Callum Camps and Harvey Saunders (2). Joe Riley also went into the book.

We have been allocated 900 unreserved seated tickets. 

Tickets can be purchased on the day of the game, however, there is a £3 increase in price for adults and concessionary rates.

Prices:

*Armed forces – must be a current serving member of the armed forces with proof of affiliation.

*Unemployed – must provide a benefit receipt.

Ambulant disabled and wheelchair Info: We have been allocated four pairs of wheelchair and carer tickets – please contact Carlisle United to order these tickets.

Ambulant disabled supporters pay the relevant price, with the carer free of charge.

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Methods of purchase:

• In person – come to the Pioneer ticket office at the designated time. Sales on home match days will be from the west side ticket office (from 5.30pm on a midweek home match day). 
• Phone – ring the ticket office 03300 945 930 option 1 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card.

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If you wish to purchase bus travel you can organise this by calling CUSAT on 07563 700 987.