Loan Watch: Tella on target in Championship thriller
Nathan Tella scored his sixth goal of the season for Burnley to start a stunning comeback in the SkyBet Championship, whilst there was also joy across the football pyramid for Saints’ other loanees. All this and more in this week’s Loan Watch…
The Clarets found themselves 2-0 down at half time against Sunderland on Saturday, before Tella’s 50th minute header proved to be the catalyst in a remarkable turnaround.
Burnley ran out 4-2 winners to record their first away win at the Stadium of Light since 1979 as they sit in 3rd place in the table.
The victory capped off an unbeaten week for Tella’s side, as the Southampton loanee also played 82 minutes of their 1-1 draw away to Birmingham on Wednesday evening.
Elsewhere in the SkyBet Championship, Will Smallbone continued his valuable experience at Stoke City.
The midfielder missed out on their midweek defeat to Rotherham United, but played 73 minutes against Coventry City on Saturday.
Down a division in League One, Dan N’Lundulu played another full 90 minutes for Cheltenham Town against Burton Albion, whilst Kegs Chauke and Caleb Watts were both unused substitutes in the matchday squads for Exeter City and Morecambe respectively.
In League Two, Dynel Simeu continued to feature at the heart of the defence for Tranmere Rovers as they drew 1-1 away to Harrogate Town.
Simeu has been a key part of Rovers’ recent form, with Saturday’s draw taking them to six league games unbeaten as they move into 9th position, one point away from the playoff places.
It was an eventful week for Saints’ loanees further down the pyramid in Non-League.
Jake Vokins continued added to his experience at Vanarama National League side Woking as a second half substitute against Notts County on Tuesday night and Gateshead on Saturday.
The Cards bounced back from defeat against top of the table County with a 3-1 win over Gateshead to take them into the playoff positions in 7th place.
In the National League South, Academy loanees Jack Bycroft and Will Tizzard enjoyed momentous success in the Emirates FA Cup replays on Tuesday night.
Bycroft stayed between the sticks for Taunton Town and kept a clean sheet in their 1-0 win over National League side Yeovil Town, after holding them to a 0-0 draw in the original tie.
The Peacocks have been rewarded with a trip to MK Dons as they reached the First Round for just the third time in their history.
Back in the league on Saturday, Bycroft saved an early penalty as he and Taunton continued their good form with a 1-1 draw against playoff-chasing Worthing.
Tizzard also helped his Chippenham Town side advance in the FA Cup with a 1-0 replay win over Hendon Town.
The young centre back came on in the 65th minute and made two important defensive blocks as the Bluebirds earned a trip to Lincoln City in only their fourth-ever time in the First Round.
He also featured for 45 minutes on Saturday as Chippenham were beaten by Tonbridge Angels in the league.
Another Academy loanee, Harvey Woods, had cause for celebration on Saturday as he scored his first goal for AFC Totton in the Southern Premier League Division One South.
Woods capped off the Stags’ dominant 3-0 win over Larkhall Athletic by tapping in from close range in the 90th minute after coming on in the second half.
Fellow Under-18s teammate, Tommy-Lee Higgs, continued his development at Gosport Borough; the striker made his first start and played 45 minutes in a 2-2 draw against Dorchester Town.
Outside of England, Mateusz Lis made his second appearance for ESTAC Troyes in their 2-2 draw against high-flying FC Lorient in UberEats Ligue 1.
Lis’ Troyes side move up to 11th place in the league after the draw against their 3rd place opponents.
Finally, up in Scotland, Kazeem Olaigbe gained more minutes for Ross County as a 65th minute substitute against Kilmarnock.
