Three West Ham United Academy graduates saw action for their respective loan clubs over the weekend, with 2023 FA Youth Cup-winning teammates Mason Terry and Kaelan Casey both making their first appearances for Braintree Town and Swansea City respectively, and Michael Forbes cementing his place in Northampton Town's starting line-up with a clean sheet on his home debut.
Terry wasted no time in making his mark at National League level, keeping a clean sheet on his debut for Braintree in a 3-0 victory over Halifax Town that sent the Iron to the top of the table after the opening round of fixtures.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper is embarking on his third senior loan spell, having been named Hornchurch’s Supporters’ Player of the Season last year in National League South. Stepping up a division once again this term, Terry was immediately called into action, not least in stoppage time, when he dived low to save a penalty, preserving both his clean sheet and Braintree’s place at the summit of the Enterprise National League.
Two goals from Lewis Walker and one from Frankie Terry had earlier put the hosts in control, but with Southend United also registering a 3-0 win over Gateshead, the late penalty stop proved decisive in keeping Braintree top, level on goal difference with the Shrimpers.
In EFL League One, Forbes built on his goalscoring debut for Northampton Town by keeping a clean sheet on his home bow, as the Cobblers were held to a goalless draw by newly-promoted Bradford City.
Also in League One, Gideon Kodua was again among the substitutes as Luton Town maintained their 100 per cent start to the season, moving into the early play-off places with a 2-0 win over Peterborough United, goals from Mads Juel Andersen and Jordan Clark securing the three points.
In the division above, Casey made his Swansea City debut, coming off the bench to replace captain Ben Cabango, who completed 75 minutes in his first game back from an ankle operation. The Swans, beginning their eighth successive second-tier campaign, fell behind shortly after half-time to a Dael Fry strike and were unable to find a way back, slipping to a 1-0 away defeat against Middlesbrough.