It’s been a busy week for our players out on loan as one has been named in the League of Ireland First Division’s Team of the Year, one picked up an assist, and another was named Man of the Match in a big game at home.
Starting the report with the Team of the Year nominee, Barry Baggley, who has been an ever-present in the Waterford FC side throughout the season, apart from when he had a brief injury. This week, he started in the side’s Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg and even though Ronan Coughlan, they were pulled back to a 1-1 draw with all to play for next time out – Drew Baker was an unused sub.
Over to Greater Manchester now as Cian Hayes is continuing to impress over at Rochdale with two more appearances under his belt over the last seven days. The first was in a 4-3 loss against rivals Oldham Athletic, a game in which he assisted Jimmy Keohane for the second goal of the game before he was named Man of the Match in their 2-2 draw against Gateshead soon after.
Also in the same area is goalkeeper Pat Boyes who started both of their last two games against Basford United away from home and then Atherton Collieries at Broadhurst Park but, even though he made crucial saves in both games, the side’s form has taken a slump as they only picked up one point in this time.
One of our players has been on the move in the last seven days as Will Russ swapped Marine for Hyde United – a side which he knows well – where he will spend the next three months on loan. His debut against Ilkeston Town was cut short though as he picked up a knock in the opening stages of the game and had to be subbed off nine minutes in for fellow striker Lewis Alessandra.
Finally, we’re heading over to Norfolk where George Morrison and Billy Jones are both making names for themselves at King’s Lynn Town. On Saturday, both players started in the side’s loss to South Shields away from home and in the game, Jones took a knock early on but continued until being subbed 51 minutes in, with both goals for the hosts coming after he was taken off.
Bishop’s Stortford was next for the duo and Morrison started this one, with Jones being named on the bench as a precaution after the injury last time out, Jones subbed on in the 94th minute and assisted the winner in the 3-2 win. Lynn got a drop ball in their favour, which was played to Jones, who chested it down to Smith who scored with seconds left in the clash.
Here’s what is up next for our players out on loan:
Baggley & Baker: Waterford FC v Athlone Town – League of Ireland First Division Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg – The RSC – Saturday 28 October (3pm kick-off)
Boyes: FC United of Manchester v Radcliffe – Isuzu FA Trophy – Broadhurst Park – Saturday 28 October (3pm kick-off)
Hayes: Hartlepool v Rochdale – National League – Victoria Park – Saturday 28 October (3pm kick-off)
Jones & Morrison: King’s Lynn Town v Blyth Spartans – National League North – The Walks – Saturday 28 October (3pm kick-off)
Russ: Nuneaton Borough v Hyde United – Isuzu FA Trophy – Liberty Way Ground – Saturday 28 October (3pm kick-off)