England U21 international goalkeeper Nathan Trott kept a pivotal clean sheet as one of three West Ham United loanees in action this weekend.
Guarding the posts for League One side AFC Wimbledon, Trott’s numerous interventions proved crucial at home to play-off chasing Peterborough as the Dons ground out a crucial win in their battle to avoid relegation.
Wimbledon, on the whole, defended valiantly against a menacing visiting side, reaping the rewards when Joe Pigott’s clinical low drive in the 58th minute gave them a lead they simply refused to squander.
At the heart of that lay Trott’s performance, the Hammers loanee not having too much to do until Pigott’s strike invited Peterborough pressure in abundance. Moments after the opening goal, the Dons keeper was forced to produce an excellent fingertip save to deny Ivan Toney’s looping header, before beating the striker to a through ball and – one way or another – helping his team survive the ensuing goalmouth scramble.
Trott later did well to deny the striker on a third occasion, Toney's fierce final effort arriving as the game ticked towards injury time.
The young goalkeeper's shut-out earned his side a vital three points which boosts AFC Wimbledon up to 19th in the table – now five points clear of the relegation zone.
Winger Nathan Holland, meanwhile, started his second game in four days for Oxford United as they were held 1-1 away at Gillingham.
The U’s were without a league win in three, but were the dominant team from the outset at Priestfield – the stadium at which Holland was on the bench for West Ham United only a fortnight ago.
Fought all the way to the end... thanks to the travelling fans ??? We keep pushing ?? pic.twitter.com/j1iexLeHSP
— Nathan Holland (@NHo11and) January 19, 2020
Holland’s side went ahead after a quarter-of-an-hour when Tarique Fosu struck spectacularly, just reward for the attacking rhythm which moments later saw the West Ham man head a difficult chance wide of the post.
Gillingham came back into the contest in the second period as Ollie Lee thumped home a penalty on the hour mark, but Holland came close to inspiring his team moments later when he started a move on the halfway line, turning superbly, feeding Fosu, collecting the return pass and striking towards goal – his goal-bound shot deflected over the bar by a last-ditch tackle.
Holland was ultimately replaced by former West Ham teammate Marcus Browne with 15 minutes to go, but again showed no shortage of glimpses of his talent on a Football League stage.
Elsewhere in the same division, centre-back Ajibola Alese earned his seventh start in an Accrington Stanley shirt as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Southend.
Goals from Charlie Kelman and, from the penalty spot, Jason Demetriou – either side of Stanley’s Dion Charles striking – meant the Accy suffered a disappointing loss at Crown Ground, sitting 17th in the League One table.
Grady Diangana, meanwhile, could be in action for Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion tonight when they host Stoke City at the Hawthorns. The 21-year-old made his comeback from injury last week away at Charlton.
