Crewe Alex: Vital statistics
PREVIOUS MEETING
February 12, 2008
Leyton Orient 0
Crewe Alex 1 (Maynard 26)
NICKY Maynard's header earned Crewe their first victory in eight games back in February.
After a depressing sequence of results, the Alex were on top in the first half at Brisbane Road and well worth their goal from Maynard.
After the interval, the visitors relied on some great shot-stopping from Ben Williams, although the keeper was grateful to watch Oji's late header clatter the woodwork.
The victory, only their eighth of the season, moved Crewe up to 18th in the table.
Leyton Orient: Nelson, Purches, Saah, Mkandawire (Oji, 24), Daniels, Barcham (Demetriou, 33), Terry, Chambers, Corden (W Gray, 74), Boyd, Ibehre. Subs: Melligan, Morris,
Crewe: Williams, Woodards, Boyle, Baudet (Abbey, 59), O'Donnell, Rix, Roberts, Schumacher, Roberts (Pope, 79), Maynard, Moore (Cox, 68). Subs: Bopp, Lowe.
Attendance: 3,881.
FORM GUIDE
Crewe Alex: DLLDLW
Leyton Orient: LLDLWW
WHO WE'D LIKE TO SIGN
Sam Parkin: No-nonsense target man, who would arguably be playing higher had his career not been blighted by injury. Crewe tried to sign the striker, who is on loan from Luton, during his Swindon days when they were looking for a long-term replacement for Dean Ashton, but the Robins turned down an offer from Dario Gradi.
WHO TO BOO?
Midfielder Sean Thornton is a feisty handful who can wind up opposition fans with his peroxide blond look and hi-energy displays.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Phil Gibbs (West Midlands) in his first season on the league list, has never taken charge of an Alex match.
PROBABLE TEAMS
Crewe: Collis, Brayford, Jones, Lawrence, O'Donnell, Moore, Bailey, O'Connor, Miller, Donaldson, Pope.
Leyton Orient: Morris, Purches, Granville, Mkandawire, Saah, Morgan, Chambers, Thornton, Demetriou, Parkin, Boyd.
PREDICTION
CREWE, having picked up their first win in 12 games against Ebbsfleet, will find the going just as tough against Orient, but could just prevail by the odd goal in three. Clayton Donaldson and Michael O'Connor on the mark for the Alex with Adam Boyd replying for the Londoners.
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