Loan Watch: Bycroft keeps first clean sheet
With another international break pausing the action in England and Europe’s top divisions, Saints’ lower-league loanees took centre stage over the weekend in league and cup competitions.
In his second appearance at National League side Oxford City, Jack Bycroft kept a clean sheet in an impressive 4-0 win over Ebbsfleet United.
Prior to his arrival, The Hoops had won just once in nine league games but Bycroft has featured in back-to-back games with Ross Jenkins’s side.
Up in League Two, Lewis Payne played 180 minutes in a two-game week with Newport County, but was unfortunately on the wrong end of consecutive defeats.
The Welsh side were knocked out of the EFL Trophy in midweek, then suffered a 2-0 defeat against second place Mansfield with Payne showing some bright glimpses going forward from right wing-back.
There were also two debuts in the FA Trophy for National League South sides as Josh McNamara and Luke Pearce made their first appearances for St Albans City and Dover Athletic respectively.
McNamara’s St Albans were knocked out in a 3-1 defeat against Bishop’s Stortford; Saints’ goalkeeper did save a penalty in the second half but was unfortunate to concede the rebound that put the game to bed.
For Pearce, he also played the full game as Dover went to penalties against league rivals Weymouth after a thrilling 4-4 draw. The young striker didn’t take a penalty as Dover lost the shootout and were knocked out.
Main image: Jack Bycroft in action (Photo: Mike Allen)
