Seven of our eight loanees saw action over the weekend, in six different leagues, with late drama very much the order of the day.
The best weekend was had by Emiliano Marcondes as he played the full 90 minutes of FC Midtjylland’s 1-0 win away at Aalborg. Frank Onyeka scored the only goal after 11 minutes as FCM stay four points clear at the top of the Danish Superliga. They have a chance to extend that advantage next Sunday when they host second-placed Kobenhaven at the MCH Arena.
Staying in Denmark, there was less reason to smile for Ellery Balcombe after he was sent off during Viborg FF’s 2-1 defeat at home to HB Køge. It all looked to be going to plan for the Nordic Bet Liga leaders as they led heading into the final quarter of an hour. However, the visitors took full advantage after Ellery was shown a straight red for a last man foul, scoring twice in the final eight minutes as VFF drop to second ahead of Friday’s home game against Naestved.
Sticking with the theme of late drama, Halil Dervişoğlu and Sparta Rotterdam were denied victory over PSV Eindhoven as Cody Gakpo struck in the 91st minute to level matters at 2-2 in their Eredivisie clash. The point leaves Sparta in 11th with a trip to Heerenveen up on Saturday evening.
There was better for Marcus Forss and Justin Shaibu as a pair of injury-time goals earned their respective sides a point on Saturday. Kwesi Appiah’s 92nd minute header saw AFC Wimbledon climb out of the relegation zone after they drew 1-1 at home to Lincoln City, Marcus Forss playing the full game for The Dons, while Kabongo Tshimanga was the hero for Boreham Wood with a 90th minute leveller at home to Yeovil Town. Justin Shiabu played the second-half for Wood, who are without a fixture this weekend, while The Dons host Doncaster in the FA Cup First Round.
Canice Carroll was a late substitute for Carlisle United as they beat Macclesfield Town 2-1 at home in Sky Bet League Two, Ryan Loft getting the 82nd minute winner, and Jaden Brissett played the final 15 minutes of Maidenhead United’s 2-0 defeat at Aldershot. Like Boreham Wood, Maidenhead are not in action this weekend with Carlisle United heading to Dulwich Hamlet for a televised FA Cup tie on Friday night.
The only player not to feature was Reece Cole as Partick Thistle were beaten 4-1 by Ayr in the Scottish Championship. Next up for The Jags is a home game against Greenock Morton on Saturday.