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Loan Review | Two forwards on target in EFL

Mo Faal celebrates scoring his first goal for Walsall up at Harrogate Town

Two Baggies forwards scored for their loan clubs over the final weekend in February.

Mo Faal bagged his first for Sky Bet League Two side Walsall, helping them to an important 2-0 triumph at Harrogate Town.

The striker, who came on in the 64th minute at The EnviroVent Stadium for Jamille Matt, cut inside on to his right foot and fired the ball beyond James Belshaw to give the Saddlers a two-goal lead with just over five left on the clock.

Walsall’s first goal arrived just moments into the second period courtesy of Liam Gordon. It was a victory which pushed Faal’s men up to 9th in the division, three points off the play-off places with a game in hand.

*With thanks to Walsall FC/Owen Russell for use of the main image*

Karlan Grant also found the net for Cardiff City who secured a 2-1 win at home to Stoke City in the Sky Bet Championship.

The 26-year-old rifled a left-footed strike across Potters stopper Daniel Iversen into the far corner shortly after the half-hour mark – an effort which doubled the Bluebirds’ lead after Kion Etete had headed in an early opener.

Stoke pulled one back before the break through South Korean Joon-Ho Bae, but it proved to be little more than consolation for the visitors.

Grant completed 55 minutes of the encounter and was replaced by Ryan Wintle in South Wales. The win means Karlan’s men sit 14th in the standings with 12 remaining fixtures in the second tier.

In Sky Bet League One, defender Zac Ashworth played the majority of Bolton Wanderers' disappointing 4-1 defeat at Blackpool.

The left-back was replaced Jack Iredale three minutes from the end of the encounter at Bloomfield Road. Caleb Taylor missed the match through injury.

Bolton took the lead through George Thomason, however goals from Jake Beesley and Marvin Ekpiteta had the hosts 2-1 up at the break.

Ricardo Santos received a straight red for the visitors in the middle of the second period and Blackpool made the most of their numerical advantage – adding two further strikes to seal an emphatic triumph courtesy of Beesley’s second and Jordan Gabriel.

The defeat leaves Bolton third in the table, level on points with second-placed derby County and seven points adrift of leaders Portsmouth.

Zac Ashworth on the ball for Bolton during the game against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road

Two youngsters got more vital senior minutes under their belts in the fourth tier of English football.

Midfielder Jamie Andrews started for Grimsby Town in their 1-1 draw at Morecambe, completing 79 minutes before being replaced by Harry Wood.

Danny Rose put Andrews’ team one goal up, but the Shrimps equalised early on in the second 45 through Jordan Slew.

The point leaves the Mariners one place above the drop zone, four points clear of Forest Green Rovers who have played an extra match.

Defender Ethan Ingram came on the 69th minute for Salford City who lost 5-1 at title-chasing Mansfield Town.

The Albion full-back replaced Daniel Chesters at Field Mill with the score already at 3-1 to the hosts following efforts from Will Swan, Bailey Cargill and Davis Keillor-Dunn for the Stags and Junior Luamba for the Ammies.

Theo Vassell was dismissed for Ingram’s side 17 minutes from the end, with Mansfield scoring a fourth and a fifth through Lucas Akins and Hiram Boateng respectively.

The setback leaves Salford 19th in Sky Bet League Two.

Ethan Ingram in action for Salford City wearing the away white kit

Finally this week, goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead completed another full game for Southern League Central Division side Alvechurch FC, who drew 2-2 at Leiston. 

Jamar Loza and Ross Crane scored for the home team, with The Church's goals arriving through Archie Crowther and Dylan Hadley-Allen.

The result means Hollingshead's outfit sit 12th on 39 points from their 30 fixtures. 

  • Faal
  • Grant
  • Ashworth
  • Ingram
  • Andrews
  • Hollingshead
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