With the October international break now concluded, several of Crystal Palace’s loanees returned to club duty over the weekend – and made their presence felt.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi continued his fine form to become Rizespor’s top scorer, Jemiah Umolu netted a brace in cup action, and Tayo Adaramola earned his third consecutive start for Leyton Orient.
Here’s the latest on how our young Eagles are progressing out on loan…
Rak-Sakyi continued his impressive start at Rizespor, becoming the club’s top scorer for the season with his third goal in as many games during Saturday’s clash with Trabzonspor in the Turkish Süper Lig.
The 23-year-old showcased his sharp instincts, capitalising on a wayward backpass to round the goalkeeper and calmly slot home into an empty net – halving the deficit after Trabzonspor had taken a 2-0 lead.
Despite Rak-Sakyi’s strike sparking hopes of a comeback, Rizespor were ultimately edged out by the narrowest of margins.
Nevertheless, the winger’s standout form has helped propel the club to 12th in the table, level on eight points with Gençlerbirliği and Kocaelispor.
With momentum building, a win next week could lift them as high as ninth – a promising sign as they continue their climb.
Umolu was on target twice in Bromley’s Kent Senior Cup clash against Dover Athletic at the Crabble Athletic Ground on Tuesday (14th October).
The young forward opened the scoring early with a composed finish and came close to doubling his tally shortly after, only to be denied by a sharp save from the Dover goalkeeper.
Umolu eventually found his second of the night, making it 3-2 and capping off an impressive individual performance. The match finished level, with Bromley going on to secure victory 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
Umolu was not involved in Bromley’s subsequent 2-1 league defeat to Cambridge United but will look to build on his midweek momentum in the coming fixtures.
Joe Whitworth delivered an impressive individual performance in goal for Exeter City, despite falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat against high-flying Stockport County at Edgeley Park.
The Grecians’ unbeaten run came to an end courtesy of a 23rd-minute header from Nathan Lowe, who rose highest to meet a well-delivered corner and directed it beyond Whitworth into the far-left corner – leaving the City 'keeper with no chance.
Stockport had looked dangerous early on, breaking with pace in the 15th minute as Jack Diamond latched onto a long ball down the left and forced Whitworth into a rushed but well-timed block at the edge of the area.
Just a minute after taking the lead, the hosts nearly doubled their advantage when Diamond’s teasing cross found Kyle Wootton, whose powerful header was brilliantly tipped over the bar by the finger tips of Whitworth in a standout save that kept City within reach.
The 21-year-old was called into action again early in the second half, getting down quickly to palm away James Norwood’s long-range strike.
Despite late pressure from City – with Josh Magennis and Donald McDonald both going close – Stockport held firm to secure all three points.
Whitworth and the Grecians will look to bounce back quickly when they return to St James Park for a blockbuster clash on Thursday night, as rivals Plymouth Argyle visit for the season’s first sold-out Devon Derby.
Ozoh earned back-to-back starts for Derby County, featuring for 71 minutes in a tightly contested 1-0 defeat away to Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.
In a lively first half, Oxford took the lead after 24 minutes through Stan Mills, finishing off a quick counter-attack following an even opening spell. The Rams responded with intensity after the break, pushing hard for an equaliser in what became a fiercely physical encounter.
Ozoh, who thrives in those kinds of battles, once again showcased his strength and composure in midfield – further underlining his growing influence in Jon Eustace’s side.
Despite Derby’s late pressure, the hosts held on to claim all three points, bringing an end to the Rams’ three-game unbeaten run in the league.
They’ll now look to bounce back on Tuesday night, when they host Norwich City at Pride Park Stadium (19:45pm KO) – a fixture where Ozoh will no doubt be eager to make his mark once again.
Adaramola continued his run in the Leyton Orient starting XI, making his third consecutive start in Saturday’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Rotherham United in League One.
The full-back featured for 76 minutes at Brisbane Road before being replaced by Jayden Moorhouse, putting in another composed performance.
Adaramola was solid defensively throughout and nearly made a mark at the other end, forcing the Rotherham keeper into a smart save with an improvised volley on 61 minutes.
Despite a late push from the O’s and several chances to level the scores, Sam Nombe’s second-half strike ultimately proved decisive for the visitors.
Adaramola’s consistency and growing influence will be crucial as Leyton Orient look to bounce back in their next outing against Lincoln (25th October, 15:00 BST).
Mustapha continues to navigate his early steps in senior football with FC Nürnberg as he adapts to life in Germany.
The young midfielder has been featuring for the club’s U23 side so far this season, though he remained an unused substitute in their most recent outing. However, there’s a positive shift in his pathway as manager Miroslav Klose has confirmed that Mustapha will now train exclusively with the first-team squad moving forward.
“We’ve now decided that he’s no longer going to the reserve team but will only stay with us. And now he has to assert himself with us. I’ve made that clear to him. It’s up to him now,” Klose explained.
Mustapha wasn’t involved in the senior side’s 1-1 draw with Holstein Kiel last weekend, but the decision to keep him with the first team underlines the belief in his potential. There will be hope that he is involved when Nürnberg return to action on Sunday (October 26, 12:30 BST).
Goodman was named in the matchday squad for Huddersfield Town’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers in League One.
Despite leading for much of the game, the Terriers were undone by two stoppage-time goals from Sam Dalby and Amario Cozier-Duberry, handing the hosts a dramatic late win.
Goodman remained an unused substitute, with Lee Nicholls continuing in goal as the current first-choice keeper.
Huddersfield are next in action on Saturday 25th October, when they host Wycombe Wanderers at the John Smith’s Stadium (15:00 BST).
Akinwale was named on the bench for Eastbourne Borough in their 1-0 defeat to Maidenhead United in the National League South on Saturday.
The forward remained an unused substitute as Boro were edged out in a tightly contested encounter, leaving them 22nd in the table with eight points.
Eastbourne will look to turn their fortunes around when they face Maidstone United in their next fixture, as they continue the fight to climb the standings.
Last season, Goodman, Danny Imray, Adaramola and Whitworth all featured featured in the Palace TV series Loan Life, where our cameras gained an unprecedented insight into their time adapting to new clubs and developing in the Football League.
