Former midfielder backs O’s to repeat Fulham heroics

IT’S just over five years ago since Orient last knocked a Premier League side out of the FA Cup.

It was back in January 2006 when the O’s travelled to Craven Cottage and recorded a shock 2-1 win to put Chris Coleman’s side out of the competition.

Craig Easton was one of the goalscoring heroes that afternoon along with Joe Keith and he believes that lightning could strike twice when O’s meet Arsenal at the weekend.

“No one gave us a chance at Fulham and we won, so there is no reason why it can’t happen again,” said the former O’s midfield star.

“That’s the beauty of the FA Cup, you never know what will happen,” said Easton, who left the O’s in 2007 and joined Swindon Town.

“If the Orient players can get stuck in and give it a go, then there is always a chance, but I think they have got to make home advantage count.

“When you play against top sides like Arsenal, you are really only going to get one chance.

“They have got to give it their best shot from the start and try and give Arsenal a rough ride. They have got to get in their faces and if the fans make a noise it could be an uncomfortable afternoon for them.”

There are similarities going into the game. O’s are unbeaten in 11 games and Easton said: “We were on a good run at the time and so we went into the Fulham game in a confident frame of mind.

“Martin Ling and Dean Smith told us to go out and enjoy it, because we had nothing to lose and there was a good feeling in the dressing room before the game and the result gave everyone a big lift,” said Easton, who is now skipper at Southend.