Match preview: Fleetwood Town v Leyton Orient

29 September 2023

Fleetwood Town are back on home soil against Leyton Orient this Saturday in Sky Bet League One, and we have everything you need to know ahead of the 3pm kick-off in our match preview.

Fixture: Fleetwood Town v Leyton Orient

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 30 September 2023

Kick-off: 3pm (BST)

Venue: Highbury Stadium, Park Ave, Fleetwood, FY7 6SP

FLEETWOOD TOWN

It was a difficult start to life as Fleetwood Town boss for Lee Johnson after a 0-3 defeat at home to Oxford United in his first game in charge, with the new gaffer having to watch from the stands as he continues to serve a touchline suspension.

However, following a positive display in a 1-1 draw away at Burton last week, Johnson will be hoping his side can push on and claim all three points when they return to Highbury Stadium on Saturday. A stunning strike from Junior Quitirna gave Town a share of the points, after Joe Powell opened the scoring for Burton after finishing the rebound following his penalty been saved by Jay Lynch.

Experienced defender Ben Heneghan made his Cod Army debut at the Pirelli Stadium after joining the club in midweek. In the game, striker Promise Omochere returned to the starting line-up for first time in over a month.

Fleetwood still search for their first league win of the season but will take great confidence from last week’s football under Johnson, as the new gaffer continues to try and implement his fresh ideas and a new philosophy into his sides’ play over the coming games.

LEYTON ORIENT

Following promotion last season, the O’s have enjoyed a positive return to League One football, with wins over Cambridge, Exeter and most recently a 1-0 triumph over Shrewsbury last weekend. Richie Wellens’ side sit 15th having also drawn two and lost four, but they will be hoping to make it back-to-back victories when they head to FY7 this weekend.

Experienced boss Wellens has enjoyed several successes throughout his managerial career, guiding Orient to the Sky Bet League Two title last season, having also previously done so with Swindon Town during the 2019-20 campaign. The accomplished head coach also spent time in charge of Oldham Athletic, Salford City and Doncaster Rovers before becoming Orient boss, and enjoyed a successful playing career as a midfielder.

Looking at the O’s squad, it’s Cypriot winger Ruel Sotiriou who’s been the difference maker so far this season, netting the winner in their victories over both Shrewsbury and Exeter, the latter in the 92^nd minute, and has managed four goals in nine league games.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The Cod Army are unbeaten against Leyton Orient, with the two sides having only previously met twice competitively – both in Sky Bet League One in the 2014/15 season.

The first of those matches came in the form of a 1-1 draw at Highbury back in August 2014, with Steven Dobbie firing in an 83^rd minute equaliser in front of the Memorial Stand – cancelling out Darius Henderson’s first-half header.

In the reverse fixture, then Fleetwood Town manager Graham Alexander saw his team claim a 1-0 win at Brisbane Road, courtesy of 46^th minute Garth Evans effort - in the most recent encounter between the two teams.

Fleetwood will be hoping to carry that unbeaten record through into Saturday’s encounter.

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THE MANAGER'S THOUGHT AHEAD OF THE GAME

Manager Lee Johnson recently spoke to the media ahead of this weekend’s fixture, here’s what he had to say:

“We love playing at home and know that games there will be massive for us moving forward from now until the end of the season and I’m looking forward to the fans seeing the progress that’s been made.

“The supporters who went to Burton were superb in their voice and they created a vibrant atmosphere which I want to bring back home.

“From a playing side, we need to make sure we give the supporters that feeling of progression and will build a performance on top of that. I thought the defensive organisation was much better, the distance covered, and the body language was better at Burton. We defended the box well from their threats and now it’s about having more runs of attacks.

“When you build an attack, you’ve also got to have that defensive structure, so there are a lot of intricacies we’ve been working on and it’s important that they come out. The boys have worked hard so it’s about finding the balance between allowing them to build themselves as an athlete, but also being fresh for the performance.”

IFOLLOW PASSES AVAILABLE FOR THE GAME

On the day of the game, there will be two matchday packages available for both overseas and, one for UK-based supporters.

Those who live outside the United Kingdom, or who are on holiday can watch the full 90 minutes with commentary provided by our media partners, BBC Radio Lancashire.

For Fleetwood fans who are based in the United Kingdom, you will only be able to listen to the full match due to the broadcasting rights and regulations with the EFL.

Here are the two iFollow passes available for you to buy:

Audio Match Pass - £2.50 (U.K & Overseas)

Video Match Pass - £10 (Overseas)

If you want to buy a package for the rest of the season and save money overall, you can find the full details by heading over to our iFollow page. Support Fleetwood Town wherever you are in the world.

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TICKET NEWS

Ticket prices start from £22 for an Adult to stand behind the goal, with Seniors & Under-25s costing £17 and those Under-16s starting from £7 - there will be an additional cost for those who want a seat on matchday in either the Highbury or Parkside Stand - click HERE to buy online!

Don’t worry if you can't buy online, you can also pop into the club shop at Highbury from 9am Monday to Friday to get them in person if you prefer - we will even be open on matchdays!

If supporters wish to call the Ticket Office for further details, please call 01253 775080 (Option 1) to speak to a member of the team. You can also head down to Highbury to get your tickets in-store.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Town win theit first league game of the season over Leyton

30 September 2023

Fleetwood Town earned their first league win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient at Highbury Stadium.

Jack Marriott’s first of the campaign, which was scored in the 56^th minute, was enough to grant Lee Johnson his first win as new Fleetwood Town manager and ruin Leyton's first trip to the Fylde Coast in eight years.

Town was given an early scare in the game's opening minute, when Joe Pigott latched onto a wicked delivery, flicking his effort narrowly wide of the post.

Orient continued to ask questions early on, as Pigott came close again. This time the striker headed narrowly over before defender Tom James struck a long-range effort that forced Jay Lynch to spring into a diving save.

Minutes later, Fleetwood’s first big chance of the half arrived; Junior Quitirna picked out Ryan Broom on the edge of the area, who found space before hitting a low deflected strike narrowly wide of the goal.

After the hour mark, the Cod Army that began to create more chances, firing a number of dangerous deliveries into the penalty area, all of which lacked any conviction in the final third.

But just after the interval, The Cods were inches away from going a goal to the good. Bosun Lawal drove down the wing before delivering a dangerous cross, met by Josh Vela at the far post, whose effort narrowly flashed wide.

But shortly after, Lee Johnson’s side did take the lead. After a great start to the second half, Quitirna fired an excellent ball into the area, with Marriott arriving on cue at the front post to turn the ball past Sol Brynn.

A golden opportunity to equalise fell Orient’s way five minutes later, as the away side broke forward in numbers. The ball fell to Ruel Sotiriou, who was bearing down on goal, but the attacker lost his footing at a crucial time and blazed over.

The O’s then had two penalty claims in quick succession, when Jordan Graham went down twice in the area - but the referee waved away the strong appeals from the travelling fans behind the goal.

Left to rue their missed chances, Orient were nearly made to pay again. Quitirna cut inside from a wide position and shaved the post with an exceptional effort - one that would’ve excellently followed up his strike at Burton last week.

As the game entered its closing stages, the Cods continued to threaten in search of that elusive second goal. It had been a much improved second 45 from Town, dominating large portions of the game and creating numerous opportunities in the final third.

Despite all of Fleetwood’s second-half chances, Orient nearly equalised late on, but a crucial goal-line clearance from new signing Ben Heneghan denied a header from levelling the scores.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men in added time, as both Ethan Galbraith and Carl Johnston were shown second yellow cards.

But after some stubborn late defending, Lee Johnson’s side were able to see-off a further eight minutes of added time, to claim their first win of the season and Johnson’s first win as manager of the club.

Town XI: Lynch (GK), Johnston, Lawal, Vela (C), Broom, Marriott (Tshimanga 87’), Quitirna, Heneghan, Omochere (Graydon 84’), Nsiala, Earl.

Subs not used: McMullan (GK), Robertson, Stockley, Simons, Holgate.

Leyton Orient: Brynn (GK), James, Pigott, (Drinan 53’), Sotiriou, Archibald, Cooper, Moncur (Brown 53’), Mizouni (Forde 63’), Pratley, (Galbraith 53’), Beckles (Happe 60’), Graham.

Subs not used: Howes (GK), Hunt.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Town back on home soil for Leyton Orient clash

25 September 2023

Fleetwood Town are back at Highbury on Saturday 30 September as they welcome newly-promoted outfit Leyton Orient to the Fylde Coast for the first time since August 2014.

Lee Johnson's side picked up a point on the road last time out with Junior Quitirna's stunning strike cancelling out Burton Albion's opener at the Pirelli Stadium.

Ticket prices start from £22 for an Adult to stand behind the goal, with Seniors / Under-25s costing £17 and those Under-16s starting from £7 - there will be an additional cost for those who want a seat on matchday in either the Highbury or Parkside Stand - click HERE to buy online!

Don’t worry if you can't buy online, you can also pop into the club shop at Highbury from 9am Monday to Friday to get them in person if you prefer - we will even be open on matchdays!