Chris Brayford wants Brisbane Road crowd to help Leyton Orient Women defeat MK Dons rivals

The Leyton Orient women's team face the camera at Brisbane Road (pic: Orient WFC). (Image: Archant)

Leyton Orient Women’s boss Chris Brayford is hoping the crowd at Brisbane Road can inspire his team to victory over MK Dons on Sunday.

The female O’s side, who ply their trade in the FA Women’s Premier League South East Division One, will be playing one of their final matches of the 2017/18 season.

It has been another strong campaign for the club, who only secured promotion to this league last year, and they are excited about the chance to play at Brisbane Road again this weekend.

Brayford’s team have been well supported during their home fixtures at the Mile End Stadium, but will relish the opportunity to once more grace the E10 turf.

“The Orient family are amazing and the support we get is great. We have had the head of the club (joint-owner Kent Teague) down and various other people come to watch plus the Supporters Club are fantastic,” said O’s women’s manager Brayford.

“Fans coming along really makes a difference and the second half of the season has gone well for men’s team and there is a great feel around the place, so we’d love to have a double promotion next year.

“It would be brilliant if a few more Orient supporters than usual could come over on Sunday to give the girls some extra support

“We know it is going to be a tough game, but with more backing behind us hopefully we can get another good result which will boost confidence even more ahead of next season.”

Sunday’s game kicks-off at 12pm with admission prices set at £3 for adults while it is free entry for under-18s on the day and also free entry for Orient season ticket holders.

The O’s women are third in the table having won 12 of their 19 league games this season and they will hope to make it 13 against fourth-placed MK Dons.

“Kids go free, so that’s fantastic and hopefully plenty will watch the game and want to come back,” said Brayford.

“We’re all really excited and looking forward to it and we want to show everyone the talented players we have.

“A number of our squad have played at a good standard and I’d like to think people will be impressed with the way we play.

“If we can have a decent crowd behind us, hopefully it will spur the girls on and help us get a good result.”

Orient captain Danielle Griffiths is under no illusions about how tough Sunday’s game will be, but is confident they can earn a third consecutive victory.

She said: “MK Dons are one of the best teams in the league and will be challenging for the title within the next few weeks so we know it is going to be a difficult game. “However, our best performances have come against the top teams and after beating AFC Wimbledon (on April 15), we know what we need to do to get a result in these tough matches.”

Given MK Dons could win the title if they win all of their remaining games, O’s will be up against a team with plenty of motivation.

Although Orient can no longer finish first, they want to show their title credentials for next season.

Griffiths added: “We are very much looking forward to the game and will be assisted massively by the home support at Brisbane Road.

“Hearing the cheers and shouts of encouragement really does help in those tight tense battles and we hope to do the Orient family and supporters proud on Sunday.”

A win for O’s would boost their hopes of finishing second and Brayford explained why it could prove pivotal at the end of the campaign.

He said: “We lost 2-1 at MK Dons in January, but it was a close game. They are a good side and won their county cup final 7-0 last weekend against Maidenhead and I’d say they are probably favourites to win the title.

“It is going to be a challenge, but there is going to be a restructure of the leagues next season, so there is a chance second could go up.

“Our aim is to finish second and winning on Sunday will go a long way to helping us achieve that.”