While Palace were shocked late on by a former loanee this, we took a look at how our youngsters fared out on loan over the last couple of weeks.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
During the international break, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi was denied a goal by a good piece of last ditch defending in a 3-1 away loss to Barnsley. Jes did well to create space near the 6-yard box, after sneaking around the back to collect a cross from deep. The young winger’s decision to shoot garnered frustrated reactions from well positioned teammates, but he can’t be blamed for taking on the split-second chance alone. With 2 goals and 2 assists so far this season, Rak-Sakyi was substituted after 72 minutes due to an ankle injury.
Former Palace coach, and current Charlton manager, Ben Garner heaped praise on his Palace loanee in the build-up to the game. Garner compared the youngster to Wilfried Zaha at the same age, but suggested Rak-Sakyi’s end product is a level ahead of a young Zaha’s.
Over the weekend, against Oxford United at home, Jes was thankfully fit enough to get another 90 minutes of League One football under his belt, as Charlton drew 1-1. Despite having no direct contribution to the goal, the 19-year-old did beat his man and send a ball over to the back post, which after numerous blocked shots and crosses fell to Jayden Stockley for the equaliser.
Next Up: Colchester United (a)
Scott Banks
Banks was missing from the action on Saturday through injury, as his adopted side beat Harrogate Town 2-1 away from home.
However, the previous weekend saw Banks put in an impressive performance against Wimbledon. Bradford City fan forum sites (yes, writing for TEB takes me to these places) have been eagerly awaiting a Scott Banks set-piece since his summer arrival at the Valley Parade. And boy did he deliver! Just 4 minutes into his 7th appearance from the edge of the box, the young Scot managed to send his powerful strike over the wall, getting it up and down quickly and squeezing it just under the bar to take the lead.
Wimbledon equalised just before the hour mark, with Banks substituted moments later. A Wimbledon free kick from distance, which unfortunately for Banksy, must take goal of the game gave the visitors the lead before the Bantam’s rescued a point in stoppage time.
Next Up: Leicester City U21s (h) EFL Trophy Group Stage
Luke Plange
Over in Belgium at RWD Molenbeek. Luke Plange played 90 minutes in a 3-0 win over third division side KSV Oudenaarde. He failed to score in the match and that’s pretty much all the information possible to gather about the fifth round of the Belgian Cup from behind a laptop in South London.
In the following league game, against Lommel SK, Plange found himself substituted at half-time for Botafogo loanee Vinicius Lopes… With Molenbeek going on to lose 2-1.
Next Up: Koninklijke Beerschot Voetbalclub Antwerpen (h)
Jake O’Brien
While his RWDM teammate missed out on an England youth call-up, Jake O’Brien played every minute for Ireland U21’s against Israel U21’s, over two legs in their European Under-21 Championship play-off. The imposing defender perhaps could have done more to prevent the Israeli opener in the first game, but the Palace youngster appears to slot into a physical Irish defence seamlessly. The second game was a bore draw and with their subsequent loss on penalties the Irish youngsters will have to wait till after the 2023 competition for their first appearance at a major youth tournament.
Upon returning to Belgium, O’Brien was again entrusted with 90 minutes at centre-back in the 2-1 defeat to Lommel.
Next UP: Koninklijke Beerschot Voetbalclub Antwerpen (h)
Reece Hannam
Playing at a packed-out Hayes Lane, Reece Hannam continued his good form with Bromley during the international break, scoring his second goal of the season by firing home a Jude Arthurs low cross against Oldham.
In the weekend back from the break, away against Solihull Moors, Hannam was replaced around the hour mark while 1-0 up. The young left-back watched on as his side doubled their lead and the opposition went down to 10-men… then Bromley conceded twice after the 90th minute to share the points…
As many a Palace fans second team, Bromley currently sit 5th in the league while Hannam picks up plenty of valuable minutes in men’s football.
Next Up: Boreham Wood (a)
Rob Street
The big number 9 played just 14 minutes off the bench in his sides 2-1 win over Burton Albion last week, making no direct contribution on the game.
The following weekend Street was an unused substitute away at Cheltenham Town. Having previously shown great promise at youth level and on the pre-season tour, perhaps a fresh loan spell may be on the cards in January if his playing time remains limited.
Next Up: MK Dons (h)
Malachi Boateng
Malachi played 90 minutes in a midfield three last week, as Queen’s Park beat Northern Irish side Cliftonville FC in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
The young midfielder then featured in the league against Raith Rovers in a 1-0 win, taking him onto 7 appearances in all competitions during his first season away from South London.
Next Up: Greenock Morton (h)
David Boateng
David played just short of an hour alongside Malachi in their cup match, seeing himself replaced at left-back after picking up a yellow card. The victory over Cliftonville takes David onto 3 appearances in all competitions this season after being an unused substitute in the league the week after.
Next Up: Greenock Morton (h)
