With domestic and international competitions underway, several of our loan players were in action this past week.
From cup heroics in Brazil to strong individual showings in the EFL, the latest fixtures brought encouraging performances as the young Eagles continue their development at senior level.
Here’s a round-up of how our young Eagles fared on loan this week...
Matheus França came on as a substitute and contributed 20 minutes in Vasco da Gama’s victory over Botafogo on penalties, securing the team’s place in the Copa do Brasil semi-final on Friday, September 12th.
The match ended 1-1 after regular time, with Vasco prevailing 5-3 in the penalty shootout. The first half was eventful, marked by a significant error from Botafogo’s goalkeeper Neto and a controversial penalty that levelled the score.
The second half maintained a high level of intensity. Arthur Cabral posed an early threat with a diving header that narrowly missed the target, while Vasco responded with Coutinho’s shot across goal, which grazed the post.
As the match progressed, Botafogo increased their offensive pressure in an attempt to overturn the deficit.
Savarino’s shot across goal was expertly saved by Vasco goalkeeper Léo Jardim. Alexander Barboza delivered a powerful header that went wide, and Matheus Martins unleashed a strong strike from outside the box, which was also parried by Jardim.
The game ultimately advanced to penalties, where França confidently converted Vasco’s fourth attempt.
França was also an unused substitute in Vasco’s Campeonato Brasileiro Série A fixture against Ceará, which concluded in a 2-2 draw.
The 21-year-old midfielder made his debut earlier in September during a hard-fought 3-2 victory over bottom-placed Recife.
Danny Imray delivered an outstanding individual performance in his first full 90 minutes for Blackpool, despite the team suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium in Sky Bet League One on Saturday, 13th September.
Northampton started brightly and dominated much of the early possession, but the Tangerines stood firm and had their own chances to strike, thanks in large part to Imray’s influence down the right flank.
In the 10th minute, following a swift counterattack led by new signing Josh Bowler, Imray made a surging overlapping run and forced a smart save from close range. Albie Morgan looked poised to convert the rebound, but his shot was blocked.
The match remained goalless at halftime, with Imray one of Blackpool’s most threatening outlets throughout the opening period.
The second half saw Blackpool grow in confidence, with Imray continuing to be central to their attacking efforts.
Just minutes after the restart, he raced in behind the defence once more and cut the ball back expertly from the byline for Niall Ennis, whose near-post flick went agonisingly wide.
In the 52nd minute, Imray again burst down the right and picked out Bowler on the edge of the box. Bowler’s effort, however, deflected over for a corner. Imray’s pace, timing, and quality in delivery repeatedly caused problems for the Cobblers’ back line.
Midway through the second half, Imray played a curling ball in behind the defence for Ennis to chase, drawing a decisive intervention from goalkeeper Lee Burge, who rushed out to block the dinked effort.
Even in stoppage time, Imray continued to push for an equaliser. He came closest to scoring when his shot was cleared off the line, summing up an excellent performance full of determination and attacking intent.
Although Blackpool were ultimately undone by a late Cameron McGeehan goal eight minutes from time, Imray’s performance stood out as a major positive. His work rate, attacking threat, and composure in both halves of the pitch made him arguably Blackpool’s most influential player on the day.
The Tangerines remain 23rd in League One with four points from seven games.
Akinwale featured for the final 20 minutes as Eastbourne Borough secured their first win of the season with a commanding FA Cup victory over Epsom & Ewell at The ReachTV Stadium.
The forward entered the match with Borough already in full control, holding a three-goal lead. Despite difficult conditions, the hosts dominated throughout and comfortably avoided a potential cup upset.
Pemi Aderoju opened the scoring with a diving header from Jesurun Uchegbulam’s cross, before turning provider for Josh Anifowose to double the lead.
Epsom’s challenge faded further after a red card for Adam Green and an injury to goalkeeper Faebian Witter, which saw defender Toby Young take over in goal.
Aderoju completed his hat-trick with two more headers — the final one in stoppage time — capping a clinical individual display and an emphatic team performance.
Joe Whitworth has continued to earn valuable minutes on loan at Exeter City, completing the full 90 in recent outings against Rotherham and Port Vale in Sky Bet League One.
Despite back-to-back defeats, Whitworth showed composure and sharp distribution throughout both matches.
He had no realistic chance with the goals conceded and remained alert under pressure. In the Port Vale fixture, his long clearance created a dangerous moment when it bounced into Magennis’ path, leading to a chance that Niskanen struck over the bar.
The 20-year-old continues to benefit from regular first-team football, with his presence in goal providing stability as Exeter look to push up from 16th in the table, where they currently sit on 9 points.
Goodman was unavailable for selection due to suspension and therefore did not feature in Huddersfield Town's recent fixtures — a 3-2 victory over Peterborough United and a 3-1 defeat to Bradford City.
Umolu was an unused substitute in Bromley’s 2-2 draw with Gillingham in the Kent derby. He was not included in the matchday squad for the club’s first league defeat of the season — a 2-0 loss to Oldham Athletic on Saturday, 13th September.
Ozoh was an unused substitute as Derby County secured their first Sky Bet Championship victory of the 2025/26 season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.
The Rams will host Preston North End at Pride Park Stadium in Sky Bet Championship action next Saturday (3pm BST).
Adaramola was named on the bench for Leyton Orient’s 3-1 win over Peterborough United in the Vertu Motors Trophy on Tuesday, 2nd September — a spirited performance from the ten-man O’s that showcased character and resilience.
However, the full-back has not featured in the matchday squad for the subsequent fixtures: a 3-2 league victory over Port Vale and a 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers.
Mustapha was not involved in FC Nürnberg’s squad for their 2-1 defeat to Karlsruhe in the 2. Bundesliga.
