Leyton Orient head coach Justin Edinburgh wants his side to sustain their position at the top of the National League when they host Aldershot on Tuesday evening. The O’s moved three points clear of second placed Salford on Saturday and the former boss stated to Leytonorient.com “there’s always pressure, the next game is huge, we’ve got to back it up”.
Orient’s 2-0 victory at Wrexham made it a club record 11 away games unbeaten in a season on Saturday. Two goals in the final five minutes from MacAuley Bonne and James Brophy gave the O’s all three points in North Wales. Edinburgh was delighted with the result against one of their promotion rivals, stating to leytonorient.com “it’s a huge performance, very resolute and determined. We had to call upon Dean Brill for probably the first time this season for the amount of saves, but when he was called upon he was top class”.
It was a gritty performance from Orient who were clinical when the chances were presented in the second half. MacAuley Bonne struck the opener his fifth goal in his last five games and Edinburgh highlight the clinical nature of the striker. Speaking to leytonorient.com “with the form we’re in and the front boys, if we got the chance we will dispatch. When it falls in the box, it is the one person you want to see it fall to MacAuley Bonne, that’s why he is the player he is, he dispatched it incredibly well, the second one sublime finish as well“.
Orient’s victory on Saturday put daylight between themselves and Salford however despite the gap, Edinburgh dismissed any hint of complacency from his side against Aldershot on Tuesday. Speaking to leytonorient.com “that group won’t allow that, they are driven professionals who have broken a club record today staying unbeaten away from home. They deserve that, we have spoke about it with the sole concentration on Tuesday”.
James Brophy and James Alabi will be pushing for starts after their impact off the bench on Saturday. Charlie Lee returned to training on Monday so the game will be too early for him while Sam Ling is still returning from his ankle injury. Sam Sargeant is doubtful through injury while Charlie Grainger is out with a broken wrist.