Leyton Orient v Southend United Preview

With Leyton Orient thirteen points ahead of bottom club Halifax Town and Blues set for a mid-table finish Tuesday’s game is therefore meaningless as a contest. But try telling that to any Southend United or Leyton Orient supporter, with the rivalry between the two sets of supporters intensifying during the past few seasons a victory over Leyton Orient is now just as sweet as a victory over Colchester United.

Action from last September's clash at Roots Hall between The Blues and The O's

Blues have a good recent record at Brisbane Road winning three out of their four previous visits and Blues supporters will be desperate for three points on Tuesday night to avenge last September’s 2-1 defeat at Roots Hall.

Blues first visit to Brisbane Road after the war came in the 1946/47 season which resulted in a 1-1 draw with Frank Dudley scoring Blues goal. The following two seasons saw 2-0 defeats while season 1949/50 goals from Reg Davies and Albert Wakefield earned Blues a 2-2 draw. A Jack French goal enabled Blues to draw 1-1 in season 1950/51 whilst season 1951/52 saw Blues biggest victory at Brisbane Road winning 4-1. Blues goals came from Sandy Anderson, Joe Sibley and a brace from Les Stubbs. The following season saw the O’s gain revenge with a 3-0 victory. A Joe Sibley strike earned a 1-1 draw in season 1953/54 whilst the following season saw Blues thrashed 5-1 which was followed by a 3-0 defeat in season 1955/56. The two clubs would not then meet again in league action until season 1982/83 when on a Sunday morning a John Linford strike earned Blues a 1-1 draw. The following season, once again on a Sunday morning, saw a solitary strike from O’s Shaun Brooks give the home side maximum points. Blues were relegated to Division Four that season but were quickly joined by Leyton Orient in the 1985/86 season where goals from Shaun Brooks (penalty), Paul Shinners and Ian Juryeff gave the O’s a 3-0 win. The following season a John Cornwall 34th minute strike won the game, but unfortunately for Blues supporters Cornwell was an Orient player at the time. Blues were promoted to Division Three that season and next met Orient in Division Three in the 1990/91 season where a single Andy Ansah strike gave Blues maximum points as Blues headed towards Division Two for the first time in the clubs history. The next league match came in the new Division Three in season 1998/99. Alvin Martin had just resigned as Manager and Alan Little was in charge of Blues for the first time and led the team to a 3-0 victory courtesy of a Neil Campbell brace and single Simon Coleman goal. The following season Orient got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win. Steve Watts gave Orient a 15th minute lead but Neil Tolson got Blues back in the game on 26 minutes. However Orient, thanks to an Ahmet Brkovic 69th minute goal, gave the home side the three points. However last season a brace from Ben Abbey within four minutes gave Blues maximum points. Another three points for Blues on Tuesday night will at least put the smiles back on Blues supporters faces after another disappointing league campaign ends with nothing, let’s hope the players can deliver.