10/02/20 - Out On Loan - Written by Lewis Browning

Welcome to ‘Out On Loan’, a feature published every Monday where we catch up on how those out on loan from Gillingham’s men’s team got on over the previous week.

Another week of football has been and gone, and, as ever, it was jampacked was action all over the country.

Allow us to catch up on how the men Gillingham have sent out on loan got on over the last seven days. There are six players to check out, and, this week, we start in League Two.

Ouss Cissé

Cissé has already started more league games for Leyton Orient this season than he did for Gillingham and the big midfielder is loving life at Brisbane Road.

He picked up another 90 minutes on Saturday afternoon and it had seemed he’d helped his new side to a much-needed three points against Macclesfield as they look to steer themselves well away from the League Two relegation spot.

Orient led thanks to James Brophy’s strike on 75 minutes, but Jacob Blyth popped up with a stoppage time equaliser for Macclesfield to ensure the points were shared.

Good stuff again from Cissé, though. He could have a Gills career left in him yet.

Tommy Lamb

Young midfielder Lamb has been a regular for Margate since arriving at Hartsdown Park in mid-December, but had to sit out of their draw with Corinthian Casuals on Saturday after picking up a knock in training in mid-week.

The matchup was a game that twisted and turned. Mathias Bakare’s opener for the visitors was cancelled out by Noel Leighton, only for Ben Checklit to put the Casuals back ahead on 83 minutes. 

There was still time for more, though, and Margate grabbed a late equaliser through Leighton’s second of the game.

The good news is that Lamb is fit for the Gate’s game against Brightlingsea Regent this weekend.

Lee Hodson

Full-back Hodson is back at former club St. Mirren after struggling for minutes at Gillingham. He, understandably, wants to play more, and made his first start of this spell in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday as the Saints drew 1-1 at home to Motherwell.

Mark O’Hara had given the visitors the lead before former Gillingham loanee Alex Jakubiak ensured a replay with a strike on 74 minutes. Hodson was substituted on 81 minutes with a suspected hamsrting injury, but the damage isn't as bad as first feared, and he could be fit to face Livingstone on Wednesday. 

He’ll certainly be happy to have some solid game time in the tank ahead of a big run of games.

Rewinding a few days, too, the Northern Irishman was named among the substitutes on Wednesday as his team drew 1-1 in the league with Hamilton. Hodson was bought on at half-time for Jamie McGrath, but, unfortunately, couldn’t help his side get the win. His team didn’t concede with him on the pitch, however.

Toby Bancroft

Bancroft’s Wingate & Finchley picked up their second win in as many games on Saturday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over East Thurrock United to move off the bottom of the Isthmian League Premier table.

United had taken the lead in the first half through Darren Foxley, but the hosts fought back well and took all three points thanks to strikes from Alphanso Kennedy and Charlie Ruff.

Unfortunately for Bancroft, he missed the game through injury. He’ll be hoping it’s not a bad one and that he will be back soon to help his side continue their climb up the table.

Jimmy Witt

Witt seemed destined to start Margate’s game against Corinthian Casuals on Saturday, but ended up sitting out the game with what seemed like an injury.

Like Tommy Lamb, he watched an entertaining 2-2 game, but will be hoping to get back out there to help his team as soon as possible.

Emmanuel Fernandez

Fernandez’ Merstham drew 1-1 in their Isthmian League Premier game against Bowers & Pitsea on Saturday, however the young centre-half had to watch the whole game from the bench.

The Surrey-based side were 1-0 down at half-time due to Callum Leahy’s strike, and the job was made a lot harder when Luke Ige was given his marching orders just before the hour mark. The visitors struck back through Calvin Ekpiteta, however, and will be pleased with their point.

Fernandez hasn’t featured in the Moatsiders’ last two games, now, however, and it’s possible he will be sent on loan elsewhere in the near future, instead.

Come back to JournalForGills next Monday for next week’s edition of ‘Out On Loan’.