The Valiants make the trip to the capital this evening as we take on Leyton Orient in Sky Bet League One.

Vale come into the game off the back of a 2-1 defeat against Shrewsbury Town.

The Shrews went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Daniel Udoh and Tom Bloxham before Vale Academy product Baylee Dipepa scored his first goal for the football club to pull on back for his side.

Gaffers Thoughts:

Here’s what the gaffer had to say following Saturday’s fixture:

“When we look back on it, it is two set plays we have given away and we have given ourselves a mountain to climb.

“Generally, in play, we had enough chances to win the game. I got them in at half time and we spoke about being more on the front foot, pushing high up the pitch and getting our jobs done."

The Opposition

Leyton Orient come into the game off the back of two losses in a row. However, they have only lost four times in their last fifteen games, Winning nine of these.

In their last outing they were beaten 1-0 by Wigan Athletic. Ethan Galbraith was sent off for the O’s before Jason Kerr’s winning goal succumbed Orient to defeat at the DW Stadium.

Who’s in Charge?

Leyton Orient are managed by Ritchie Wellens who joined the club in March 2022 when the club were 20^th in League Two. After ensuring survival in the 2021/22 season, The O’s were unbeaten in August and then won every game in September in what turned out to be a league-winning campaign.

Orient ended the season in top spot with 95 points, six points above Stevenage in second place. He and his Orient side have enjoyed a solid return to League One as they sit in 10^th place with 54 points, seven points outside the Play Offs.

Player to Watch - Ruel Sotiriou

The Cypriot forward has impressed for the O’s this season after scoring ten goals and assisting four in his 36 games so far this season. 

Another player who has had a productive season is Shaqai Forde. The right winger has scored nine goals and got one assist so far this season. 

Fixture Throwback

Leyton Orient 2-3 Port Vale, Monday 4^th April 1994.

In a must-win game for both sides, Martin Foyle put the Vale ahead in the 20th minute only for Martin Thomas to level just twelve minutes later for Orient.

Foyle went on to again find the back of the net though and restore Vale’s lead three minutes before the half-time whistle.

Orient again were able to equalised in the 55th minute, this time through Mark Cooper, but that man Foyle again popped up to ruin the hosts day, completing his hat-trick to win it for Vale in the 78th minute.

The result kickstarted a run of eight wins in nine games that took Vale to automatic promotion.

Match Officials

Gavin Ward will take charge of today’s game against Leyton Orient.

He will be assisted by George Byrne and Lee Venamore with Daniel Middleton taking the role of fourth official.