Loan Round-up: Walton’s Man-of-the-match Display

A number of Brighton & Hove Albion players were in action for their respective loan clubs over the weekend, including Christian Walton, who produced a stunning performance in the Emirates FA Cup, but also exited the competition.

The goalkeeper saved a 73rd-minute penalty from Manolo Gabbiadini to keep Southampton’s lead at 1-0 in the quarter-final at the DW Stadium, but Wigan Athletic’s impressive run came to an end when Cedric Soares make it 2-0 in stoppage time.

Despite being knocked out the FA Cup, Walton was chosen as the man-of-the-match, following a string of brilliant saves that kept the Latics in the contest, as Paul Cook’s team looked to follow up their giant-killing of Manchester City.

Elsewhere, Richie Towell fired his fifth goal of the season in Rotherham United’s convincing 3-0 victory over Northampton Town at the Sixfields Stadium - a win that strengthened the Millers’ fourth-placed position in League One.

The Irishman netted the third goal of the afternoon, as he made a late charge into the penalty area and curled a controlled effort into the top corner, nine minutes from time.

Ben White and Ben Hall were both involved in respective 1-1 draws for Newport County and Notts County - with the latter denied all three points deep into stoppage time, as Mansfield Town scored in the ninth minute of added-on time at Meadow Lane.

White also featured for 90 minutes in Newport’s draw against high-flying Luton Town, and the Exiles added another point to their league total, moving them seven points off the League Two play-off spots.

Mathias Normann was in action on Sunday, and the under-23 midfielder claimed his second assist in as many games, to keep Molde at the top of the Eliteserien league table.

The Norwegian club opened the season with a 5-0 victory, but Sunday’s match was a tighter affair, as Normann’s ninth-minute assist for Fredrik Aursnes helped his loan club win 1-0 against Haugesund.

Rohan Ince also featured for Bury on Saturday afternoon, with the central midfielder playing 45 minutes in their 2-1 defeat against MK Dons at Stadium MK.