Tottenham Hotspur loan watch: Battle of loanees in League One | OneFootball

On Saturday afternoon, there was a clash of the Spurs loanees in League One. Matthew Craig and his Barnsley side were in action at home to Josh Keeley, Jamie Donley, and their Leyton Orient counterparts.

Find out how the duel between loanees ended up playing out

Despite having played just one minute of football since October, Craig was named in Darrell Clarke’s starting XI for this game. Meanwhile, Josh Keeley and Jamie Donley continued their run of starts under Richie Wellens.

In the battle of the loanees in midfield, it would be Donley who drew first blood. Just six minutes into the game, the teenager headed home at the back post from a corner, to give Orient the lead in the game.

Then, after 28 minutes, it was Donley’s turn to take a corner. He did just that, whipping in an inswinging ball, that was met by central defender Omar Beckles, who headed home to make it 2-0 to the O’s.

Eight minutes later, things would go from bad to worse for Craig. With Barnsley seriously struggling in the game, Clarke made a double substitution before half-time, and the 21-year old loanee was one of two players sacrificed.

However, it did not work. Six minutes into the second half, Orient had three. Having been go found by Donley, striker Charlie Kelman converted— making it one goal and two assists for the on loan Spurs man.

After 81 minutes, Donley was replaced after a really productive day at the office. In stoppage time, Orient would add one more to put the gloss on things with a whopping 4-0 win.

In goal, Keeley registered his fourth clean sheet in a row, with just the one save to make here. Perfect afternoon for the Spurs loanees at Orient.

This goal for Donley was his first ever in professional football. After the game, the midfielder joked at how Keeley kept reminding him he had scored more goals this season.

This win leaves Wellens side in 15th place in League One, with 25 points from 20 games. Meanwhile, Clarke’s side are in 9th place, with 30 points from 21. There was a time where Orient were in the bottom four, at the same time Barnsley were in the top six. Now, Clarke’s side are just five points ahead, having played a game more.

Next up is Boxing Day action for both games. Orient host Crawley Town at 13:00 GMT, whilst Barnsley travel to Bolton Wanderers for a 15:00 GMT kick off.