The Game
Leyton Orient v Argyle. BetWright Stadium. Tuesday, 2 December. 7pm. Vertu Trophy Round of 32.
The Competition
Argyle came second in their qualifying group, beating Cheltenham Town 2-0 and Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s 6-2, before losing 1-0 to Bristol Rovers.
Coming second meant that Round Two would bring an away game, and this is coming at Group F winners Leyton Orient. Orient won all three of their group games, beating Peterborough United, Crawley Town and Aston Villa Under-21s.
The Opposition
Leyton Orient are 12th in League One, having won seven, drawn three, and lost eight of their 18 games. They have won four of their last seven, including two 4-0 wins, the latest of which came on Saturday at Burton Albion, where, curiously, Argyle also won 4-0 earlier in the season.
In the other cups, Orient went out in the first round of the Carabao Cup, losing 1-0 to Wycombe Wanderers. In the Emirates FA Cup, Orient won 1-0 at Tamworth, and will visit Salford City in Round Two.
The Gaffer
Richie Wellens was a midfielder throughout his playing days. The Manchester United academy graduate had spells across the EFL throughout his 18-year career. Having retired following a spell with Macclesfield in the National League, Wellens returned to his former club Oldham Athletic, to become a first-team coach.
Just two months later, after John Sheridan was sacked, Wellens became caretaker manager, eventually being taken on permanently and overseeing a year in charge at Boundary Park. Having been sacked following relegation, Wellens pitched up at Swindon Town a few months later. After consolidating during his first season, Wellens led the Robins to the League Two title in his second.
Another of his former clubs, Salford City, came calling the following season, and Wellens would leave Wiltshire to join them. During his four-and-a-half months with the Ammies, Wellens led Salford to the EFL Trophy, but was sacked nine days later.
Next came a short spell at Doncaster Rovers, before being appointed head coach at Leyton Orient in March 2022. In his first full season, Wellens won League Two with the O’s, returning them to the third tier for the first time since 2015. In the two campaigns that have followed, he has achieved impressive top-half finishes against the odds.
Previous Meetings
Argyle met Orient at Home Park in the fourth game of the Sky Bet League One season. The visitors won 1-0, with a goal from Josh Koroma.
The sides have met four times in the last dozen seasons in the Carabao Cup, but have never played each other in the Trophy.
A Strip for the Trip
Argyle will be wearing their black away kit for the game.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with the Pre-Match Show at 6.40pm, hosted by Charlie Price. Then, there will be commentary from the BetWright Stadium from Rob McNichol, and former Argyle winger Garry Nelson.
Match passes to watch this game are available overseas, while the match will be broadcasted on Sky Sports+ in the UK & Ireland. CLICK HERE for more information.
