Loan Watch: Duo earn MOTM awards
Southampton duo Dynel Simeu and Dan Nlundulu earned Man of the Match awards during their recent EFL outings. This and more in this week’s Loan Watch…
Simeu’s accolade came on Saturday, during Tranmere Rovers’ 1-0 victory at 6th placed Salford City.
The Saints defender was instrumental in keeping the clean sheet for Rovers, unfortunate to have not scored a second but for a goal-line clearance.
That victory was the first of Simeu’s spell at Prenton Park, who sit 14th in League Two following the weekend’s results.
Despite suffering narrow defeat at Accrington Stanley on Saturday, Nlundulu impressed during Cheltenham Town’s 2-1 victory at home to Cambridge United on Tuesday night.
The forward scored the equaliser and played 89 minutes in a Man of the Match display for the League One side.
Down in non-league, two Saints youngsters secured progression to the third round of qualifying for the Emirates FA Cup.
Jack Bycroft proved instrumental in Taunton Town’s victory over Laverstock & Ford, making a string of stops before saving an injury-time penalty at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium.
Will Tizzard’s fourth successive start for fellow National League South side Chippenham Town also saw cup advancement.
The Bluebirds beat Southern League South leaders Sholing 3-0 at home to book their place in the next round of the competition.
Back to league action and it was an unbeaten week for both Nathan Tella and Will Smallbone in the Championship.
Smallbone played the duration of both Stoke City’s trips last week; a 3-0 victory at Hull City on Tuesday followed by the hard-earned point at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
Alex Neil’s side are up to 14th in the Championship, just three points off the play-off spots.
Nathan Tella’s good run of form for Vincent Kompany’s Burnley also continued, playing 72 minutes of the 1-1 draw at Preston followed by 66 minutes of Saturday’s 2-1 home victory over Bristol City.
Burnley are up to fourth in the division, just three points off second place.
Finally two Saints loanees earned their debuts this week.
Jake Vokins gained his first minutes for Woking in the National League during their 3-0 victory at home to Oldham on Tuesday, coming on for the final 19 minutes.
This was followed by 20 minutes at the end of the Cards’ 1-0 defeat to Maidenhead United.
In the Premier League, Jack Stephens was introduced off the bench for AFC Bournemouth as the Cherries looked to see out the point at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.
