The 2024/25 season is reaching its midpoint, and our on-loan U’s continue to get crucial minutes in the legs at their respective clubs.
Jack Rose continued his loan with Staffordshire-based outfit Hednesford Town, keeping a clean sheet in the Pitmen’s 4-0 win against City of Liverpool as well as featuring in a win against Trafford. Gavin Hurren’s side also exited the FA Cup at the hands of Gainsborough Trinity on penalties after a late equaliser forced extra time with a 4-4 draw, but are looking up in the league nonetheless and currently sit four points outside the play-off places with four games in hand.
Moving up the pyramid, it was a month of few goals conceded for Jack Taylor who is continues to gain crucial National League South experience with West London-based side Hampton and Richmond Borough. The Beavers only conceded two goals in November, including a 4-0 win against Hemel Hempstead Town as well as 2-0 wins against Yate Town and Aveley. The Beavers ended the month with a 1-1 draw with Hornchurch.
Over in Wales, Jay Williams continued to ply his trade for Merthyr Town, who continued their undefeated run in November having not lost in the league since August. The Martyrs started the month with a 4-2 win over Plymouth Parkway and a 5-1 win against Havant & Waterlooville, and Jay would also contribute to 2-1 wins against Chertsey Town and Bracknell.
The most recent temporary departure saw Matt Rush rejoin Maidstone United until the end of the season, and the 23-year old has immediately continued where he left off at the Gallagher Stadium. After being confirmed on Friday, Rush would feature in the last game of the month against St Albans City as a substitute, before opening the scoring in a 3-0 win over Aveley on Monday.
The month of November also saw some of the U’s academy players gain first team experience while on work experience with clubs who find themselves within the Isthmian South Central, with George Vorster and Liam Moore joining Hounslow-based Ashford Town on loans lasting until mid-January. Moore featured in five of the Tangerines’ games in November and popped up with the opening goal in a 2-2 draw with Leatherhead, while Vorster appeared four times. Meanwhile, Vinnie Tume spent November with South Park, scoring their only goal in a 1-0 win over title favourite Kingstonian, while Joden Trickett joined Harrow Borough on loan and made two starts during his brief stint at the Earlsmead Stadium. Trickett, Moore and Tume would all subsequently return to the VBS Community Stadium to feature in the U’s 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur Academy in the National League Cup on Tuesday night.
