Two of West Ham United’s loanees came up against each other in EFL League Two action over the weekend.
Academy graduates Thierry Nevers and Dan Chesters are more used to playing together in the Hammers development side, with the duo providing a substantial threat from the flanks last season for the U23s, but the pair faced each other as Newport County hosted Colchester United on Saturday.
Both Nevers and Chesters started the contest on the bench for their respective sides, with Newport’s new boss Graham Couglan in place for the first time since his appointment last week.
It was the perfect start for County when the home team took the lead on seven minutes, as Will Evans headed in from Adam Lewis’ cross.
Chesters was the first substitution from either team, entering the game just after an hour for Noah Chilvers, while Nevers was a late introduction as he replaced Omar Bogle on 88 minutes.
Victory puts Newport County up to 18th in League Two, while Colchester remain second-bottom of the division.
In EFL League One, Mipo Odubeko helped Port Vale to a valuable 1-0 win away to Cambridge United.
The striker almost had a hand in an early finish, playing through Gavin Massey on 10 minutes, only for his attacking partner to see his strike saved.
The only goal of the game came on 79 minutes when Cambridge’s Paul Digby turned Will Forrester’s cross into his own net. The win puts Port Vale up to 14th in the table.
In Italy, Nikola Vlašić continued his fine run of match action for Torino, helping his loan club secure a 2-1 win away to Udinese.
The Croatian has established himself as a regular in Ivan Jurić’s starting XI, and it was Torino who took the lead on 14 minutes thanks to Ola Aina’s finish.
Former Watford attacker Gerard Deulofeu levelled the match for Udinese on 26 minutes, but the points were secured by the away side when striker Pietro Pellegri finished on 69 minutes.
The win keeps Torino in ninth in Serie A.
Two other West Ham loanees made starts for their respective sides this past weekend. Jacob Knightbridge featured in goal for Harrow Borough as the Southern League Premier Division South side were held to a 2-2 draw by Merthyr Town.
The young shot-stopper was called on just a minute in to deny Rees’ effort, before being forced into action to stop Lewis Powell from finding the net.
Harrow opened the scoring on 32 minutes through Georgr Brown’s low effort before doubling their lead on 40 minutes thanks to Montel Brown.
The visitors were unable to hang onto their two-goal lead, however, as Powell and Andy Lewis struck late on to claim a share of the points for Merthyr Town.
Manny Longelo also played the full 90 minutes in the EFL Championship for Birmingham City, as the Blues fell to a 2-1 loss away to Blackburn Rovers.
Finally, Armstrong Okoflex made a late substitute appearance for Swansea City on Sunday as the Swans secured bragging rights in the South Wales derby, beating Cardiff City 2-0.
Birmingham are 15th in the EFL Championship while victory has moved Swansea up to fourth.
