With the 2024/25 campaign reaching its final few months, a handful of on-loan U’s continued to gain crucial experience at their respective clubs.
Ashford Town (Middlesex) gave chances to three of the club’s academy players, with Liam Moore, Joden Trickett and George Vorster all featuring throughout February for the Isthmian League South Central Division side. The latter perhaps enjoyed the most productive month, with Vorster netting twice against Metropolitan Police and Rayners Lane, the former being a looping header to give the Tangerines a late lead and the latter being scored after just two minutes to give Luke Tuffs’ side an early advantage. While Ashford themselves endured a difficult month with four defeats out of four, Sutton will be grateful for the opportunities they have offered the three academy players, with Moore and Trickett also both appearing three times during the month.
Over in Wales, Jay Williams contributed to Merthyr Town’s continuing success in the Southern League Premier South, with the Martyrs extending their stay at the top of the league to six points. Williams started and played 90 minutes in all but one of Merthyr’s games during February, helping the Paul Michael’s side secure crucial wins over Marlow and Bracknell Town, as well as picking up draws against Basingstoke Town, Plymouth Parkway and Wimborne Town.
Back in England, Junior Eccleston enjoyed an incredibly productive February as he played every minute at the heart of Walton & Hersham’s defence as the Swans went unbeaten. Looking to put pressure on Williams’ Merthyr Town, the Surrey-based outfit sealed wins over Winchester City, Havant & Waterlooville, Chertsey Town, Sholing and Tiverton Town, dropping points just once with a draw at home to Frome Town. Billy Rowley’s side currently sit third in the Southern League Premier South, with a ten-point gap to leaders Merthyr.
While an impressive performance in the National League Cup Quarter-Final against Manchester United was perhaps the most notable part of the month for Vinnie Tume, the young forward also played once on loan at South Park Reigate, starting in a 1-0 defeat to Sutton Common Rovers, being named on the bench on one other occasion, and speaking of the Commoners, young goalkeeper Sam Roberts was in goal as he denied U’s teammate Tume, starting and keeping a clean sheet against South Park. This was one of two appearances during February, the other coming in a 3-0 defeat to Dulwich Hamlet in the Third Round of the London Senior Cup, a match which also saw him sustain a minor head injury. He has since been recalled from his loan spell.
Finally, Jack Rose failed to feature at all for Hednesford Town last month as the Pitmen picked up four wins out of six games in all competitions.
Photo Credit: Ashford Town (Middlesex) FC
