Leyton Orient will be hoping to ascend to second place in the National League with a win against mid-table Barrow AFC on Tuesday night.
The O’s are currently in third place of the National League, just three points behind leaders Solihull Moors with a game in hand.
Orient are currently sitting in a playoff spot, but a string of victories could help them win the league, which would automatically promote them to League 2.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season, the O’s drew 2-2 at home, after a late goal from Ian Evatt’s Barrow secured a point for the away side. Orient had been very much in control of the game, but a lapse in concentration by the defence allowed Barrow to score the late equaliser.
The O’s are coming off of a 2-1 away win against 21st-placed Havant and Waterlooville. Orient were comfortable for much of the match, but struggled in front of goal as the heroics of Ben Dudzinski, the Havant goalkeeper, kept the home side in the game.
After the match, Leyton Orient’s manager Justin Edinburgh said: “It was an important win. We needed to get back to winning ways in the league. This is a tough place to come and it was a hard-fought victory, but it’s a valuable three points today and we’re delighted.”
If Orient have any chance of bringing home the three points on Tuesday night, they must be more clinical in front of goal than they were against Havant. Barrow have a more formidable defence than Havant and Waterlooville’s, with pacey wingers who can both lead the attack and track back to neutralise the opposing full-backs.
The O’s are expected to miss right back Myles Judd who is understood to have suffered a grade three hamstring tear. Orient’s full-backs have been in a fine run of form, though. Sam Ling was impressive in the win against Havant, making two goal-line clearances and assisting the winning goal. Joe Widdowson was also dangerous throughout that game, penetrating the defence and creating countless chances on the left-wing.
The battle between Barrow’s wingers and Orient’s full-backs will likely be key in deciding the result of this match.
Orient are expected to have a near full strength squad, with Josh Koroma and James Dayton recovering from their respective knee and hamstring injuries.
Barrow are still trying to secure their first win in 2019. The side have not won since their 3-2 win against Salford City on 29 December 2018, and lost 3-1 to Barnet in their last outing. The morale of the side seems low, but Barrow know from their result against Orient earlier this season that they can compete against Justin Edinburgh’s men.
Kick off is at 19:45. Audio commentary is available through the leytonorient.com homepage.
Highlights of the previous meeting between the two sides is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGKeBlrKIew.
