The previous two Champions of League Two go head-to-head at Edgeley Park this weekend, as County take on Leyton Orient looking to extend their unbeaten start in League One to six games.
County were denied all three points at Crawley Town last Saturday, as a second-half penalty from Junior Quitirna cancelled out Louie Barry’s early opener – his fifth goal in six games so far this season.
That result did see County drop down to fifth place on 11 points from five games, but we remain just two points off the top of the table and are now one of only two unbeaten sides in League One this season, alongside title-favourites Birmingham City.
The Hatters followed that up in midweek with a convincing 4-1 victory over Everton U21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, with a number of returning players gaining minutes as Dave Challinor’s squad goes from strength to strength.
Having lost their first four league games of the campaign, leaving them bottom of the table, Leyton Orient finally got that monkey off their back last Saturday with a deserved 1-0 win away at Reading. Those first points of the season, secured through Charlie Kelman’s first-half strike, have lifted them to 22nd in the table heading into Saturday’s game at Edgeley Park.
Things you need to know:
- Tickets in the Vitality Railway End are still available for this fixture, with all other stands now sold out! Click here to order yours today!
- As part of our County Collective programme, we aim to make Edgeley Park a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone who visits. Click here to see a full list of new initiatives that have been introduced at the ground this year!
- Don’t forget to turn up early to Edgeley Park to visit the County Courtyard, which will be opening its doors from 1pm! For more information on all the food and drink on offer this week, click here.
- Coming to the game on Saturday? Click here to view our Fan Information pack, containing all you need to know ahead of your visit to Edgeley Park.
- Saturday’s game will be available for overseas supporters to stream over on Stockport County Live, featuring live commentary from Jon Keighren and Sam Byrne. Audio commentary will also be available for supporters based in the UK. Click here to purchase your video and audio match passes today.
Our Opponents:
Richie Wellens’ Leyton Orient were worthy League Two Champions in 2023, picking up 91 points over the course of the season and wrapping up the league title with three games to spare – their first EFL championship since 1970.
Much like this season, The O’s had a difficult start to life in League One, picking up only one point from their first four – including a heavy 4-0 loss at home to eventual champions, Portsmouth.
They quickly began to find their feet in the third tier, however, losing only two of their next 11, and after Christmas hit a rich vein of form that surged them toward the play-off places.
From Boxing Day onward, the Londoners won nine out of 13 league games, losing just twice, to move as high as 8th place – just five points shy of the top six.
A run of only one win in five killed off any hopes of a second successive promotion for Wellens’ men as they tailed off during the final stretch, but the O’s still recorded a top half finish in what was their first League One campaign since 2015, eventually finishing in 11th place.
The Club have looked to make use of the loan market over the Summer, with six of their ten additions joining Orient on loan – including USA forward, Charlie Kelman, back for a second spell at Brisbane Road having been part of their promotion-winning season in 2023. The 22-year-old has scored three times already this season, including the winner at Reading last weekend.
Their start to the campaign looked tough on paper, facing Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City in their first three league games. That proved to be the case as they failed to pick up a point in that time, but they were beaten by just a single goal in each game, pushing their opponents all the way even in defeat.
An off day in their fourth game saw them soundly beaten 3-0 at a struggling Shrewsbury Town, but Orient bounced back impressively last week at Reading to finally get on the board this season. Performances have been improving, players are returning from injury and Wellens will be confident of seeing his side rise up the table in the weeks to come.
Match Stats:
- County will be looking to go unbeaten in the first six league games of the season for the first time since 1989, under Danny Bergara.
- Saturday will be our 65th competitive meeting with Leyton Orient. County have won 20 of the previous encounters, with Orient winning 27.
- County have now won eight of their last nine games at Edgeley Park, a run dating back to February. Our only defeat in that time was for a much-changed County side against Blackburn Rovers.
- County are currently on the longest scoring streak in the top four divisions of English football, having found the back of the net in each of our last 20 games. The last time we failed to score was a -0 draw with Swindon Town in February.
