Academy Loan Watch: Payne impresses on opening day
The 2024/25 EFL and National League seasons kicked off over the weekend with five of Saints' youngsters involved on the opening day.
Lewis Payne got life at Cheltenham Town off to the perfect start in League Two, as he played an important part in their 3-2 win over Newport County.
Despite not registering the final assists, the full-back was involved in all three goals for the Robins in a dramatic encounter.
He delivered two dangerous crosses that caused havoc in the area and led to finishes from Joel Colwill and Liam Dulson as Cheltenham raced into a two-goal lead in the first half.
Then, after Newport had levelled the scores, Payne was instrumental in the final goal as he slipped a pass through to Ethon Archer, who set up Colwill to win it in stoppage time.
Elsewhere, up in League One, Cam Bragg made his debut for Crawley Town who announced their return to the third tier with an opening day win.
Bragg was introduced off the bench as a 60th-minute substitute, and saw the game out to claim a 2-1 win over Blackpool.
Back in League Two, defender Nico Lawrence started and played the duration of MK Dons' narrow 2-1 loss against Bradford City.
Lawrence impressed on his Dons debut with a positive individual performance, as his side only conceded a wonder strike and an unfortunate own goal in their defeat.
The centre back was also involved in the move that led to his side's goal with some neat play out from defence.
Fellow Under-21s centre back Zach Awe made his senior debut at the weekend with Accrington Stanley, but was on the wrong end of a disappointing defeat.
Awe played the full 90 minutes but couldn't prevent a 4-1 loss against Doncaster Rovers.
Finally, in the National League, goalkeeper Ollie Wright was first choice between the sticks for Yeovil Town on the opening day as his side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Hartlepool.
The young shot-stopper made a handful of good saves, but was beaten by a well-placed effort through a crowd that sealed the result.
Main image: Lewis Payne in action for Cheltenham. (Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images)
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