LOAN WATCH: MID-SEASON REVIEW
We reflect on how members of the Wanderers first team squad have been getting on out on loan...
Ollie Allen (Midfielder)
With loan experiences at Chipstead, Kingstonian and Haywards Heath Town under his belt from last season, central midfielder Ollie began this term on loan at Step 4 side Burgess Hill Town in the Isthmian South East Division. The loan spell was unfortunately blighted by injury for Ollie, including missing the whole of September, but he did feature in The Hillians cup victories either side of the month; a 3-1 home win over Stansfeld FC in the FA Cup Preliminary Round and 2-1 defeat of Hanworth Villa again at home in the FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round.
In mid-October, Ollie was given the opportunity to start the season afresh, signing on loan with Wanderers Mole Valley rivals Leatherhead. It was a reunion with newly appointed manager Hayden Bird, who had brought Ollie to his Kingstonian side during last term. A near ever-present since making his debut for The Tanners in the 1-2 win away at Merstham on October 22nd, Ollie has been part of a team gradually moving away from the bottom end of the table after a difficult start to life in the Isthmian South Central Division following relegation from the Prem back in May. In addition to moving up the table, Ollie has been involved in the cup progression through the Velocity Trophy competition, where former club Kingstonian were defeated at the 3rd Round stage prior to a penalty shoot-out win in the 4th Round over fellow league opposition Sutton Common Rovers. A quarter-final tie away to Aveley awaits next in mid-January, and Ollie will hope to continue to be part of an improving Tanners side who will be eager to make their mark in both the league and cup during the remainder of this season.
Cameron Black (Defender)
After winning the club's 'Player Of The Year' award at Leatherhead last season, centre-back Cameron initially started this campaign on loan at National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough. Prior to the season getting underway though, it was acknowledged by all parties that regular game time would be potentially limited, so Cameron instead made the switch to Hayes & Yeading United, promotion final runners up in the Southern League Premier South division (Step 3) last term. On the bench for the first couple of games of the season, Cameron made his first start and debut for Hayes in the 1-0 home win over Hendon on August 16th. From there, Cameron became a regular starter, forming a good partnership with skipper Charlie Wassmer at the back as Hayes made a solid start to the campaign. However, in early October Cameron suffered the setback of a broken nose, and was ruled out of action for the remainder of the month.
Remaining at Step 3 level, Cameron moved across to the Isthmian Premier Division at the start of November, linking with fellow Wanderers loanee Joe Rabbetts at Bognor Regis Town. Since making his debut in the 2-0 defeat away at Margate, he has been a consistent starter, and part of a side which has advanced in the Sussex Senior Cup (winning 3-0 over Haywards Heath Town) and overcoming Lewes on penalties in the FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round. It was a mixed start to this month of December for Cameron, scoring his first goal for the club and picking up the man of the match award in the 2-2 draw with Cray Wanderers, but then sent off for collecting two yellow cards in the 4-1 loss away to Folkestone Invicta just three days later. Returning from suspension in the new year, Cameron will be hoping to continue the consistent run of form he has shown at both Hayes and Yeading and Bognor Regis so far this season, and make 2023 another memorable calendar year.
James Dickson (Midfielder)
Central midfielder James signed with Haywards Heath Town on a season long loan in August, reuniting with manager Martin Dymon who had signed him whilst in charge at South Park last term. 2021/22 had been a memorable personal season for James as he was awarded the Supporters Player Of The Year award at the conclusion of the campaign, having played the majority of the season for The Sparks after an intermittent spell at Merstham. Playing at Step 4 again this term in the Isthmian South East division rather than South Central, James made his debut in the 2-2 home draw against Lancing on August 16th, and has started virtually every game since as Haywards Heath have competed in and around mid-table so far this season. James scored his first and only goal of the campaign so for away at Cortinthian on October 1st, netting the opener with a fine finish from outside the box in a 0-3 victory. Flourishing in a side which features former Wanderers players Dean Gunner and Nabeel Ghannam, James will hope to continue what is shaping up to be another consistent campaign through the second half of this season.
Slav Huk (Goalkeeper)
Following the arrival of Joe Walsh on loan from QPR and with Dan Lincoln still part of Marc White's first team plans, long term Wanderers stopper Slav was sent on loan to Leatherhead to get regular playing time back in November. Making his debut in the Velocity Cup 3rd Round 2-1 win over Kingstonian at Fetcham Grove, Slav has been involved frequently for Hayden Bird's side since. 'Super Slav' continued his excellent record of saving penalties as The Tanners overcame Sutton Common Rovers in a shootout to advance from the 4th round of the Velocity Trophy on December 21st, setting up a quarter final in mid-January, and kept his first clean sheet for the club in the impressive 0-2 away win over promotion favourites Walton & Hersham on Boxing Day.
Joe Rabbetts (Wing Back)
Signed from Aldershot Town in the summer and featuring for the Wanderers first team in pre-season, wing back Joe was sent on loan to Bognor Regis Town ahead of the season starting in August. Making his debut in the 1-0 home win over Hornchurch on the opening day, Joe was featuring regularly for The Rocks up until mid-September, but unfortunately suffered a broken foot which would rule him out until mid-November. He returned from the bench as Bognor overcame Lewes on penalties to reach the 3rd round of the FA Trophy. Back to being a regular starter for the side thereafter, Joe would collect the man of the match award in the next round of the Trophy as Bognor were narrowly seen off by Banbury United in a seven goal thriller at the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium. Very much hoping to remain free of further setbacks, Joe will be aiming for continuation of the excellent form he has shown either side of his injury as we go into 2023.