Loan Watch: Goalscorer Tella earns MOTM on Championship return
Nathan Tella made a goalscoring return to action as SkyBet Championship football resumed on Saturday, whilst B team star Kegs Chauke made his first League One start. All this and more in this week’s Loan Watch…
England’s second division had a full schedule of fixtures for the first time since the World Cup break, which meant that Tella’s Burnley side had the chance to continue their impressive start to the season.
The Clarets ran out 3-0 winners with Saints’ loanee scoring the third in the 71st minute, nipping in to tap a pass back around the goalkeeper and slot the ball home from a tight angle to seal the victory.
Tella’s seventh goal of the season earned him the Man of the Match award as Burnley retained their position at the top of the league table.
Elsewhere in the same division, Will Smallbone returned to action with Stoke City as he played the full 90 minutes of their 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.
Meanwhile, in League One, the spotlight was on Academy loanee Chauke, who made his full league debut for Exeter City with a place in the starting lineup against third-place Sheffield Wednesday.
The young midfielder played 87 minutes for the Grecians in their 1-1 draw against title-chasing opposition, as the important point keeps them 13th in the table.
Chauke reflected on his performance with pride, declaring it as a "dream come true" to be selected for his first start in the division
Dan Nlundulu was the other League One loanee in action as he again played the full 90 minutes for Cheltenham Town as they were narrowly beaten 1-0 against Forest Green Rovers.
Outside of the EFL, weather-inflicted postponements meant there was just one player in action as Jake Vokins earned a start for in-form Woking in the Vanarama National League.
Vokins played the full 90 minutes but the Cards fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to York City for their first loss in eight league games. However, they still occupy a healthy playoff spot in fourth place.
Finally, outside of English football, goalkeeper Mateusz Lis stepped up his preparations for a return to competitive action with ESTAC Troyes.
He kept a clean sheet as the French club played out a 0-0 draw in a friendly with Leicester City.
