Here’s a glimpse into how Newcastle United’s loaned talents fared in their recent midweek Carabao Cup fixtures, with special attention on the emergence of a young goalkeeper making his senior debut.
Max Thompson
At just 19 years old, Max Thompson has already marked a significant milestone in his football journey. The talented goalkeeper, who embarked on a half-season loan deal with League One’s Northampton Town earlier this month, was entrusted with his professional debut by Cobblers’ manager Jon Brady. Thompson’s debut came in a Carabao Cup clash against Championship outfit Swansea City in the first round.
While the result didn’t favor the budding stopper, as Swansea, featuring fellow United loanee Harrison Ashby, netted three goals through Joel Piroe’s double and Josh Ginnelly’s spectacular strike, Thompson’s appearance is a positive step forward. As he looks ahead, Thompson’s focus will now shift towards his league debut. Northampton is set to face Kell Watts’ Wigan Athletic in a third-tier showdown on the upcoming Saturday afternoon.
Harrison Ashby
Harrison Ashby, a full-back, showcased his skills for the Swans in a 1-1 Championship draw with Birmingham City during the previous weekend. His momentum continued as he earned another start against Northampton Town on Tuesday. Taking on the role of right wing-back, Ashby put in a solid performance for the opening hour of the game, eventually being replaced by Josh Key. As Ashby gears up for the next challenge, Michael Duff’s side is gearing up to face West Bromwich Albion in the Championship this Saturday.
Kell Watts
Center-back Kell Watts, after a brief appearance in Wigan Athletic’s 2-1 victory over Derby, secured his first start of the season during his second loan tenure with the club. Watts, who played a pivotal role in Wigan’s League One title win in 2022, completed the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw against EFL newcomers Wrexham. Despite the tie being decided by a shootout, with Wrexham clinching a 4-2 victory, Watts is preparing to face fellow loanee Max Thompson’s Northampton in an upcoming League One fixture this weekend.
Matty Bondswell
Left-back Matty Bondswell made his debut appearance for Newport County during a League Two defeat to Accrington. His contribution took a positive turn on Tuesday when he was brought in for the final 15 minutes of a contest against Charlton Athletic. Bondswell’s immediate impact was evident as he provided the assist for Will Evans’ goal, contributing to Newport’s surprise 3-1 victory over the League One side. As he continues his journey, Bondswell and Newport County will face Doncaster Rovers in a fourth-tier clash at home this Saturday.