West Ham United’s young loanees Callum Marshall, Gideon Kodua, Patrick Kelly and Mason Terry were in action at the weekend.
The Hammers' EFL Championship loanees, George Earthy and Freddie Potts did not feature for their respective teams. While Earthy continued his recovery from an ankle issue during Bristol City's defeat against Derby County, Potts remained on the bench as Portsmouth fell to league leaders Sunderland at Fratton Park.
Before departing for international duty with Northern Ireland, Callum Marshall made his second League One start for Huddersfield Town in a Yorkshire derby against Rotherham United.
The forward was heavily involved, coming close to scoring on multiple occasions and creating several chances for his teammates. With 20 minutes remaining, Marshall was replaced by Danny Ward, who was shown a red card almost immediately after an aerial challenge on Jamie McCart. Despite taking the lead shortly after, Huddersfield were unable to hold on as Rotherham capitalised on their numerical advantage to secure a 2-1 victory.
Gideon Kodua, who started last midweek for Wycombe Wanderers in their EFL Cup win away to Swansea City, was introduced in the last few minutes as the Chairboys secured a point from a 2-2 draw away at Blackpool.
In League Two, Patrick Kelly came off the bench in the second half to help Doncaster Rovers record their first away win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Port Vale. The result moved Rovers into the Play-Off places, with three wins from their last four matches.
Mason Terry’s Hornchurch, who entered the weekend with the joint second-best defensive record in the National League South, delivered an uncharacteristically shaky first-half performance, conceding three goals in the first 37 minutes against Weston Super Mare. Despite a spirited second-half effort, the early deficit proved too much to overcome, and they ultimately fell 3-2.
A strong second half but the hosts hold on for the win.#COYU pic.twitter.com/oPTYNoB2t6
— Hornchurch FC (@HornchurchFC) August 31, 2024
Meanwhile, Krisztián Hegyi watched from the bench as Motherwell secured a win over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership, and Levi Laing was left on the bench by Cheltenham after starting the Robins' first four competitive fixtures. Michael Forbes, set to join Northern Ireland’s U21 squad during the international break, was not involved in Bristol Rovers’ victory over Cambridge United.
