Stockport County vs Leyton Orient Preview: Sixth Win Bid

Key Points

• Stockport County kick off a vital February schedule in league and cup at Edgeley Park this weekend against Leyton Orient, aiming for a sixth win in their last seven games across all competitions.
• A robust January on and off the pitch has positioned Dave Challinor’s Hatters strongly for automatic promotion in League One’s second half.
• Leading scorer Kyle Wootton netted another brace in Saturday’s victory over Plymouth Argyle, securing a fifth consecutive home win and maintaining 4th place.
• County trail Lincoln City in 2nd by six points and leaders City by eight points after the Bluebirds’ 2-2 draw at Burton Albion.
• The Hatters hold a ten-point lead over 7th-placed Luton Town, bolstering play-off prospects.
• Leyton Orient, play-off finalists last May after a semi-final win at Edgeley Park, have faltered this season with six losses in their last eight games.
• Orient sit 19th, one point above relegation, following a 1-0 home defeat to bottom side Port Vale last weekend.
• Since August clash at Brisbane Road: County led 2-0 via Nathan Lowe and Joseph Olowu headers, Orient equalised late for 2-2 draw.
• Orient then won 1-0 at Plymouth but peaked at 9th; slow starts under Richie Wellens typical post-promotion.
• Poor run: 4-1 loss at Mansfield sparked three wins in 11 league games, dropping to 20th.
• Brief November-December uptick (one loss in six), but post-Boxing Day slump with injuries; four points from eight games.
• Deadline day signings: James Morris (Watford), Dylan Levitt (Hibernian), Favour Fawunmi (Stoke loan), Will Dennis (Bournemouth), Tobi Oluwayemi (Celtic).
• Orient threat: Dom Ballard (20, ex-Southampton) with 15 goals, including two hat-tricks; faces Wootton (15 goals).
• Head-to-head: 70th meeting since 1905; Orient 28 wins, County 21; no home win in last seven (last Orient home win 2-0 in 2010).
• Wootton: 18 league goal involvements (15 goals, 3 assists); six goals in last six Edgeley Park games.

Stockport (Manchester Mirror) February 06, 2026 – Stockport County begin a crucial February period in league and cup at Edgeley Park this weekend, taking on Leyton Orient with sights set on a sixth win in their last seven games in all competitions. A strong January, both on and off the pitch, has put Dave Challinor’s side right in the mix for automatic promotion in League One’s second half, as another brace from leading scorer Kyle Wootton secured victory against Plymouth Argyle last Saturday. This marked a fifth straight home win for the Hatters, keeping them in 4th place – six points behind Lincoln City in 2nd, with the gap to leaders Cardiff City cut to eight points following the Bluebirds’ 2-2 draw at Burton Albion.

Who Are Stockport County’s Key Players for This Match?

County’s form hinges on talismanic striker Kyle Wootton, who boasts 18 league goal involvements this season – 15 goals and three assists, more than any other player. As reported in official match notes from Stockport County’s press release, Wootton has scored six goals in his last six appearances at Edgeley Park. His brace against Plymouth Argyle underscored his clinical finishing, positioning him for a mouthwatering duel with Orient’s Dom Ballard.

Dave Challinor’s management has instilled resilience, with the Hatters’ home record unbreached in five games. Nathan Lowe and Joseph Olowu’s headers in the reverse fixture highlight defensive threats from set-pieces.

Why Are Leyton Orient Struggling This Season?

Leyton Orient, play-off finalists last May after their semi-final triumph at Edgeley Park, have struggled to replicate that success. They enter Saturday’s clash having lost six of their last eight, with last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat to bottom-of-the-table Port Vale leaving them 19th, just one point above relegation.

What Caused Orient’s Recent Form Dip?

Under Richie Wellens, Orient are notorious slow starters since promotion to League One. Following the August 2-2 draw with County at Brisbane Road – where the Hatters led 2-0 via Lowe and Olowu headers before a late Orient leveller – Orient beat Plymouth 1-0 to hit 9th. However, a 4-1 loss at Mansfield sparked three wins from 11 league games, losing seven, plummeting to 20th, two points clear of danger.

A November-December resurgence saw one loss in six, pulling clear of the bottom four. Yet, post-Boxing Day, form cratered with key injuries hampering Wellens; just four points from eight league games, six losses. The Port Vale loss was “particularly damaging,” per Stockport’s preview, widening the gap to last season’s top-six by 16 points.

Which New Signings Could Boost Orient?

Deadline day brought reinforcements: permanent deals for Watford left-back James Morris and Hibernian midfielder Dylan Levitt; Stoke’s 19-year-old Favour Fawunmi on loan. Goalkeepers Will Dennis (Bournemouth) and Tobi Oluwayemi (Celtic) address a crisis position after Daniel Bachmann’s injury.

What’s the Head-to-Head History Between County and Orient?

Saturday marks the 70th competitive meeting since December 1905, with Orient winning 28 to County’s 21. No home win in the last seven: Orient’s last home success was 2-0 in April 2010 at Brisbane Road. Early optimism framed the August 2025 clash, both sides post-play-off heartache; County started with two League One wins, Orient rebounded from Huddersfield loss to beat Wigan.

Why Is This February Crucial for Stockport County?

County’s January propelled them into promotion contention: 4th, six points off 2nd-placed Lincoln City, eight behind Cardiff after their Burton stalemate. A ten-point cushion over 7th-placed Luton Town secures play-off breathing room. Challinor’s side eyes automatic elevation, leveraging home dominance – five straight wins.

Orient’s visit tests resolve against a relegation battler, but Wootton vs Ballard pits League One’s top scorers: Ballard’s 15 goals include two hat-tricks, latest in 3-1 Reading win. As per official previews, this head-to-head promises fireworks.

What’s at Stake for Leyton Orient?

A win catapults Orient from peril; loss entrenches woes. Wellens’ squad depth swells with January arrivals, but injuries linger. Ballard remains the “main threat,” his summer move from Southampton yielding division-leading strikes.

Stockport’s Hatters, buoyed by off-pitch gains, target dominance. Edgeley Park faithful anticipate another triumph in a packed February gauntlet.