The first round of the FA Cup is set to start with Gills at home.
GILLINGHAM V LEYTON ORIENT
Emirates FA Cup First Round
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Saturday November 4
Kick-off, 3pm
Team News:
Steve Lovell has revealed Bradley Garmston (hamstring) will be out for “around a week” after coming off at half-time against Rotherham last Saturday. Ben Nugent (foot) and Alex Lacey (ankle) are still a fortnight away from first team consideration.
As for Orient, striker Matt Harrold could come back into the starting XI having returned for the club’s 2-2 draw against Wrexham.
Alex Lawless (groin) and Joe Widdowson (hamstring) missed the last game, but manager Steve Davis is hopeful they will be fit to return this weekend.
George Elokobi and Orient captain Charlie Lee remain out with long-term injuries.
Manager Comments:
Steve Lovell – "We've got to match them; they have experience up front and are strong at the back. We need to be prepared, which we will be.
"There's a chance to progress and it's a big game for everybody and the players will be fighting to get through to the next round."
Ross Embleton (Assistant) – “I think you have to sense there is an upset possible. If you are going into these games and are intimidated by the environment then we are all in the wrong game.
“From a personal perspective, whenever I compete against someone who is perceived to be at a higher level than me I want to play to the best of my abilities.
"It is always a tough one for the bigger team and they have everything to lose and not much to gain.
"We have to make the most of that and try and make it tough for them.”
We’ve met before:
The clubs haven’t met for two-and-a-half years; the last occasion being in April 2015 when an entertaining 3-3 draw was played out at the Matchroom Stadium in Sky Bet League 1. Jermaine McGlashan and Cody McDonald (2) had put the visitors 3-1 up but Orient fought back to clinch a point.
In total the teams have met on no less than 70 occasions. Of those it’s Orient who lead the head-to-head statistics with 27 victories to 25.
Odds:
Gillingham – 17/20
Draw – 13/5
Leyton Orient – 16/5
Special: Lee Martin to score first in a 3-0 Gills win – 66/1.
Officials:
Referee - John Brooks
Assistant Referee 1 - Graham Kane
Assistant Referee 2 - Leigh Crowhurst
Fourth Official - Jack Packman