The 2024/25 campaign has begun to wrap up for a number of on-loan U’s, with the club’s youngsters enjoying some crucial minutes in aid of their development.

Jay Williams appeared in Merthyr Town’s first three games of April, and was a part of a rocky opening to the month for the Martyrs. The Welsh side tasted defeat for the first time since August against Hanwell Town and followed it up with a successive defeat to Poole Town, with Williams starting the former and playing ten minutes in the latter. However, the on-loan defender contributed to a 3-0 win over Sholing on Good Friday which saw them go six points clear at the top, and Paul Michael’s side were since able to clinch promotion to the National League South with victory over Hungerford Town on Easter Monday, before finishing off the campaign with defeat at Basingstoke Town on the final day of the season.

Junior Eccleston continued to appear frequently for Walton & Hersham, playing in six of the Swans’ eight games during April. Having featured for the U’s earlier on in the season against Sheerwater, Eccleston was cup-tied in the Surrey Senior Cup, but otherwise remained remained a constant figure in the heart of Walton’s defence and contributed to victories over Wimborne Town, Plymouth Parkway, Bracknell Town and Swindon Supermarine which saw them end the campaign in the play-off spots. The Swans will need to start from square one in the Southern League next season though, with Gloucester City defeating Billy Rowley’s side on penalties in the eliminator round earlier this week in a match that saw Eccleston play in all 180 minutes.

As for the trio at Ashford Town (Middlesex), George Vorster, Liam Moore and Joden Trickett each appeared in all of the Tangerines’ games throughout April, with the former adding another goal to his tally against Westfield, contributing to a 4-1 win. Ashford ended the campaign with a 20th place finish in the Isthmian League South Central Division.

Finally, Jack Rose has continued to recover from an injury that has kept him out of the Hednesford Town side, although the Pitmen are set to compete in the Northern Premier League Division One West play-off final against Congleton Town, this Saturday.

Photo Credit: Becky Handley