Time for some midweek cup action as the Dons look to back up their previous cup win away to Redbridge in the London Senior Cup and will face a young Leyton Orient team.  

Kick-off: 7:45pm 

Need to know 

Hendon 

Another game at Silver Jubilee Park would end in defeat unfortunately for the Dons. After a promising first half, old habits managed to cost us and we squandered a 2-1 lead to end up losing 4-2, albeit to a very well-oiled Portchester machine. 

A major positive from the game was another 2 goals for our talisman Shaban, who was superb in and around the box as always. The first as from a cross that he connected with a header in the corner and the second a quick ball up to him 10 seconds into the half, which he buried. However, we would capitulate from here and it was unfortunate to see another player in good form Keagan Cole get a straight red card, which will see him miss the next 3 crucial games. 

The squad is looking healthier with the reintroduction of Tobi Adaje and Javon Marquis back into the squad and the reinforcements of George Butler, Jadyn Dundas and Benjamin Gambrah. Now we have some real strength into depth across the pitch and must utilise it for the remainder of the season. 

After Saturday’s loss we will now have a reprieve, since we turn our attention to the London Senior Cup, with that being our last chance of winning some silverware this season. In the last round we defeated Redbridge away from home 3-2 and now we will face a talented young crop of Leyton Orient u21s in the third round. We have a proud history in this competition, as 6-time winners so it is a trophy that would mean a lot to the club, so it will be interesting to see whether Ben rotates or plays his strongest side. 

Predicted Lineup

Opposition 

The history of Leyton Orient is distinct from many of its neighbouring London clubs. The Leyton Orient that exists now began as the Glyn Cricket Club in Homerton in 1881. Over the course of 140 years, the Club has undergone numerous transformations and faced significant challenges. Naturally, the club will never forget the three Clapton Orient players in Company Serjeant Major Richard McFadden, Private William Jonas, and Private George Scott, who gave their life in World War One. 

In more recent times, the Club was demoted at the end of the 2016–17 season after suffering at the hands of poor ownership and being expelled from the Football League for the first time. Although the consequences were felt throughout the club, it was able to stabilise and strive for recovery under the management of new owners Eagle Investments, headed by former Orient fan and current Chairman Nigel Travis. The O's were promoted back to the Football League at the end of the 2018–19 season under manager Justin Edinburgh's leadership, however the celebrations were short-lived as Edinburgh unfortunately passed away on June 8, 2019. 

In 2022, Richie Wellens would take over from Kenny Jackett after a poor run of form and guide the O’s to promotion in his first full season. Last season would be their best in a long time, where they had a magnificent cup run, beating the likes of Millwall and Derby and managed to reach the play-off final, before suffering heartbreak at Wembley against Charlton.  

At the start of this season Leyton Orient, confirmed that the club will form a new U21 side ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, who will be our opponents on Tuesday night. This side would look to bridge the gap between the U18's and the First Team and seek to allow for Orient's youngsters to play in a more professional environment, against more senior opposition, as they look to make inroads into Richie Wellens' First Team.Fixtures for the side include the Premier League Cup, the London Senior Cup, along with friendly fixtures against other u21 and 'B' Teams and aims to ensure a more seamless move from academy to senior football. 

Last five results  

Hendon                                                                            

Hendon 2-4 AFC Portchester 

Hendon 4-4 Raynes Park Vale 

Hanworth Villa 2-2 Hendon 

Hendon 0-1 Harrow Borough 

Fareham Town 1-4 Hendon 

Leyton Orient u21s 

Coventry 1-1 Leyton Orient 

Watford 2-1 Leyton Orient 

Coventry 4-3 Leyton Orient 

Leyton Orient 1-1 Blackburn 

Soul Tower Hamlets 0-2 Leyton Orient 

Club Honours 

Third Division South / Third Division 

Champions: 1955–56, 1969–70 

Fourth Division / League Two  

Champions: 2022–23 

Promoted: 2005–06 

Play-off winners: 1989 

National League (level 5) 

Champions: 2018–19 

London Challenge Cup 

Winners: 1912, 1972, 1973, 1993 

Dubonnet Cup 

Winners: 1911 

Opposition Gaffer 

The O’s manager Darren Pratley took the reins this summer in what would be his first venture into full-time coaching and saw him call time on a more than 20-year playing career, which ended with orient. Pratley joined the O’s as a player in the summer of 2021 and provided four years of fantastic service. He was named as club captain in his first season in E10 and would lead the club to the Sky Bet League One title in 2023.  

Pratley, who is an East London man, born in Barking, played in the EFL throughout most of his career, with spells at the likes of Swansea, Charlton and Leyton Orient. However, the pinnacle of his career would be in a long spell at Bolton Wanderers, where he briefly played in the Premier League for a season, before they were relegagted.  

One to watch  

Makai Welch could be making his return to the Dons, after playing for us in a short loan spell, during the Christmas period last season. He made his debut in a 1-0 loss away to Chichester City. 

Welch, who had started at Orient at the age of 12, signed a new one-year contract in E10 in June of 2025, keeping him at the club for the 2025/26 campaign. Welch, 19, made his debut for the O's in September 2024 versus Arsenal U21 in the Vertu Trophy. He has spent time with also Hornchurch on loan following his progression through the Orient academy.  

Welch is predominately a defensive minded player, who can play a variety of roles across the backline and defensive midfield. He provides strong athletic capabilities, as well as being great on the ball playing through the thirds. 

Written by Kyle Bodker