Loan Watch: Jeffries makes senior debut
Southampton’s loan players saw in the New Year with plenty of fixtures throughout the football pyramid, along with a return to action in Europe after winter breaks on the continent.
Lewis Payne played in three successive 1-1 draws for Newport County across the turn of the year, helping the SkyBet League Two side go four games unbeaten in all competitions as his productive spell continues.
He played 90 minutes in both league matches, at home against Crewe Alexandra and away to Sutton United, as The Exiles sit 18th in the table.
The right-back then featured for just over an hour in the Emirates FA Cup as his side were taken to a replay by National League outfit Eastleigh, Payne’s former loan club.
Outside of the EFL, there was a debut for Academy goalkeeper Josh Jeffries who made his first senior appearance for National League South side Worthing.
He was unable to prevent a 3-2 defeat against third-place Chelmsford City, however, in a clash between two play-off hopefuls.
Elsewhere in Non League, fellow goalkeepers Jack Bycroft and Josh McNamara were also in action; the latter was involved in consecutive victories in the league.
McNamara made his eighth and ninth consecutive starts for St Albans City as they beat Hemel Hempstead and Farnborough to move up to 10th in the table.
Unfortunately for Bycroft, his Oxford City side were beaten 2-1 by Dorking Wanderers and Hartlepool United to stunt their survival hopes.
In Europe, Duje Ćaleta-Car played his first game after the French winter break as he kept a clean sheet in a 90 minute display in the Coupe de France, as Lyon safely progressed past fifth-tier opponents CA Pontarlier with a 3-0 win.
Finally, Paul Onuachu registered a decisive assist as Trabzonspor were 1-0 winners over Ankaragücü in the Turkish Süper Lig to maintain their place in third position.
Main image: Josh Jeffries (Photo: Worthing FC)
