Former Motherwell midfielder confident Leyton Orient can handle any challenge at home and praises E10 faithful

East London Advertiser: Craig Clay fires through a body of Eastleigh players to net a last gasp equaliser for Leyton Orient (pic: Simon O'Connor).Craig Clay fires through a body of Eastleigh players to net a last gasp equaliser for Leyton Orient (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Craig Clay has revealed Leyton Orient are hoping to go the whole season unbeaten at Brisbane Road ahead of the visit of Guiseley in the National League this weekend.

The former Grimsby Town midfielder scored in stoppage time to salvage a point at home to Eastleigh with a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

It means Orient have won seven points out of a possible nine in E10 and with struggling Guiseley visiting the capital this weekend, Clay is eager for O’s to achieve more success.

“We are a big club in this league, but we can’t just live off that. We have to play our game when teams come to Brisbane Road,” said the 25-year-old.

“With the fans being intimidating and everything else coming together, it will hopefully intimidate a lot of teams coming here.

“The gaffer (Steve Davis) has said we are good enough to go the whole season without getting beat at home and we believe that.

“If we can keep the momentum going and stay unbeaten here for as long as possible then it will only help us going forward.”

Orient have had to be patient in all three of their games at Brisbane Road with the last two clashes in E10 seeing decisive goals scored after the fourth official had signalled additional time.

Rommy Boco netted for O’s at home to Maidstone just after the clock hit 90 to wrap up a 2-0 win which wasn’t as comfortable as Davis would have hoped.

Meanwhile Clay was required to score in the seventh minute of stoppage time on Saturday to prevent Eastleigh from leaving east London with all three points.

Davis’ team have at times found it hard to break down rival clubs, but Saturday’s goalscoring hero believes they are ready for more of the same.

Clay added: “We have seen in nearly every game at Brisbane Road that teams will have 10 players in their own half and just the striker chasing things down.

“We know sides will park the bus in a way, so we just need to be patient and if we keep the ball as the game goes on then the opposition will tire and gaps will start appearing.

“I feel we have good game plans for our matches here, so we are well equipped for what is to come.”

After an encouraging start to the new campaign, Orient can reflect on a strong first month of the season.

What has been noticeably throughout August is how much the O’s fans have relished having a club to support.

The Orient faithful have been backed the team strongly at Sutton United, Bromley, Working and Maidenhead United.

And at home they have been excellent, but Clay expected this and is feeling right at home in east London.

He added: “The support of the fans hasn’t surprised me. I knew coming down it was a massive club.

“Everything about Leyton Orient is quite homely and family-orientated and I know it is a cliché, but the supporters are always a massive help at home and away.

“If they are coming in and making a load of noise then you do hear it and it does spur you on. Being one is massive for us.”