Loan Watch | Carabao Cup Progress

Whilst most eyes were focused on the action at Coventry in the Carabao Cup, a few of our boys have been in action elsewhere for their loan clubs.

Previously in the competition, Dane Scarlett's Oxford United were knocked out in round two as a 2-0 win at home to Peterborough United was followed by a tight 1-0 defeat to Coventry at the end of August, leaving us with four loanees in action across round three.

All the action came on Tuesday night, as Ash Phillips' Stoke City hosted Fleetwood Town, Jamie Donley and Josh Keeley travelled to the Gtech Stadium to take on Brentford with Leyton Orient, whilst Matthew Craig and Barnsley hosted Manchester United at Oakwell.

Ash Phillips

Ash started for Stoke City on Tuesday night, as Ryan Shawcross' side overcame conceding a late equaliser to progress on penalties at the Bet365 Stadium.

The Potters hit the crossbar twice in the first half, and Ash also fired an effort over the bar before he was forced to make way for Ben Wilmot in the 41st minute.

And it fell to his defensive partner Michael Rose to open the scoring just under 10 minutes after the restart, when he headed home a Souleymane Sidibe cross at the far post.

Rhys Bennett equalised for the visitors in the 91st minute to send the game to spot kicks, with City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson saving three of the five Fleetwood penalties to send his side through to the last 16.

Matthew Craig

Following wins against Wigan and Sheffield United, Barnsley made the third round of the Carabao Cup for the first time since 2020/21 and were rewarded with a home tie against Manchester United.

Matthew was afforded the chance to test himself against some of the best when he became one of three half-time substitutes utilised by Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke on Tuesday night.

Unfortunately the Tykes were already 3-0 down at the interval and couldn't find a route back into the game, going on to suffer a 7-0 defeat.

Josh Keeley & Jamie Donley

Leyton Orient were also rewarded for reaching round three with the chance to face Premier League opposition, when they visited the Gtech Stadium to take on Brentford on Tuesday night.

The O's went ahead when centre-back Brandon Cooper was gifted an early tap-in at the back post for Richie Wellens' side, however a stunning Fabio Carvalho bicycle kick along with goals from Mikel Damsgaard and Christian Norgaard were enough to see the Bees through on the night.

Josh played the full 90 pulling off five saves - including a double late on against Bryan Mbeumo and Keane Lewis-Potter.

Whilst Jamie was denied the chance to open the scoring when his shot was blocked, and he later forced a save from Hakon Valdimarsson made way for Dan Agyei in the 72nd minute.