The Brisbane Road pitch was deemed unplayable on Monday ahead of the O’s clash with Maidenhead United and they are due to play there again on Saturday

East London Advertiser: Players and officials from Leyton Orient and Maidenhead United gather by the touchline to inspect the Brisbane Road pitch (pic: George Sessions).Players and officials from Leyton Orient and Maidenhead United gather by the touchline to inspect the Brisbane Road pitch (pic: George Sessions). (Image: Archant)

Leyton Orient assistant Ross Embleton is hopeful Saturday’s National League game at home to Barrow will go ahead.

The Brisbane Road club saw their scheduled Easter Monday fixture with Maidenhead United called off yesterday less than 90 minutes before kick-off.

Referee Adam Penwell called a pitch inspection for 1.30pm after arriving at the ground just past midday and expressing concerns with certain areas of the surface.

Despite plenty of hard work from staff, players and fans, a particular part of the pitch near the South Stand was deemed unplayable.

Orient now have little time to get it safe and playable for when struggling Barrow visit Brisbane Road this weekend.

But Embleton said: “It is supposed to warm up during the week, but it’s just whether or not we get any more rain.

“I think the fact that we’ve got the covers there and the level of work that’s taken place on Monday, we certainly don’t want to lose another game.

“We’re running out of time to fill them in, so I’ve got everything crossed that Saturday will be on.

“I guess the big positive about the postponement is we played a couple of days ago (at Guiseley) and now we’ve got a chance to get some recovery in and we’ll probably be a bit fresher by the time the next game kicks off.”

There would have been some weary bodies for the clash with Maidenhead after a tricky encounter in Yorkshire on Good Friday.

Eventually Orient secured all three points, via a 3-1 victory, with Jobi McAnuff netting a brace and David Mooney also on target.

Justin Edinburgh’s team were unable to build on the result on Monday though, and O’s assistant Embleton added: “The weather has been a freak this winter.

“Personally, I think we’ve played on the pitch when it might have been a lot worse if I’m honest.

“I think there have been circumstances this year, in one or two games, where the pitch has been in a worse state, but the minute you get surface water on there, that’s when you start to cast some doubt.”