Loan Watch: February Round-Up

February 27, 2009
Mark Broomy

We take a look at how our young loanees are getting along around the country…

February started off very quietly for most of the youngsters out on loan with many games postponed due to weather conditions.

However, David Martin and Jack Hobbs got the month underway helping Leicester City produce arguably their finest performance of the season to date when they comfortably saw off Walsall with a 4-1 victory.

The following game saw them keep a clean sheet as Leicester drew 0-0 with Oldham with Hobbs and Martin again playing the full 90 minutes. The next game saw Leicester draw 1-1 with Swindon, however an injury to Martin saw him withdrawn in the 59th minute. Martin then missed the following game when Leicester battled out a 2-2 draw with Hartlepool United, Hobbs again played the full 90 minutes. Next Leicester claimed a 1-0 victory over Bristol Rovers. However, Rovers were awarded a penalty when Jack Hobbs was adjudged to have brought down Darryl Duffy inside the Leicester penalty area on 55 minutes – with Hobbs getting his marching orders from referee Graham Horwood in the process. Despite this Hobbs and Martin have enjoyed a very successful time at Leicester so far this season as Leicester lead League One by 12 points.

Meanwhile, at the start of February, Hereford United tied up an emergency loan deal for defender Godwin Antwi. The promising Antwi spent the first half of the season on loan at fellow League One club Tranmere, making just 6 starts though. In a bid to garner more first team experience, he agreed a switch to Edgar Street, initally on a one month deal. Antwi joined up with fellow Liverpool loanee Peter Gulasci. Gulasci made his debut for Hereford two weeks ago as they came from behind to win 3-2 in the bottom of the table clash with Cheltenham. The following game saw Antwi and Gulasci put in impressive displays to beat Leeds United 2-0. Hungarian goalkeeper Gulasci saved a Lee Trundle penalty while Antwi set up a goal. Hereford manager Turner, speaking after the game spoke highly of Gulasci and Antwi “We dragged Godwin in and the first time he met the players was at six o’clock tonight. The goalkeeper was exceptional, it was a tremendous save from the penalty. Gulacsi came and caught crosses, it was a very competent performance from an 18-year-old.” The following game saw another impressive performance form Gulasci and Antwi in Hereford’s 1-0 defeat to Peterborough United.

Winger Adam Hammill made his debut as a sub for Barnsley in their 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, the following game saw Hammill play the final half hour in Barnleys 0-0 draw with Charlton, and he enjoyed a successful half hour where he impressed up against Charlton’s Graeme Murty.

Striker Craig Lindfield has been in good form for Accrington Stanley, he has started 4 games since his loan move in January, although is yet to open his account. Paul Anderson made his return to action from injury last week in Nottingham Forest‘s 3-1 defeat to Derby County. Ryan Flynn has enjoyed a successful month on loan at Wrexham. The Scottish midfielder saw his debut delayed for a month due to an ongoing injury problem, but since then has played 6 League games scoring 2 goals for the Blue Square Premier team. Flynn scored the final goal for Wrexham in their 3-2 win over Grays Athletic with a fine header.