Standard Sport highlights five standout performances from London-based loan players. Josh Stephenson, on loan to Crewe from Brentford, scored a crucial goal deep into stoppage time, helping Crewe remain unbeaten in their last five games. Oliver Irow, also 20 years old and now at Plymouth, opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range strike against Home Park. Yusuf Akhamrich, on loan to Leyton Orient from Tottenham Hotspur, continues his impressive form with three goals and three assists in six league appearances.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Josh Stephenson, a 20-year-old defender on loan from Brentford to Crewe Alexandra, scored his first senior goal in early February 2024. Since joining Brentford's B team from Millwall in November 2023, Stephenson has been a key player for Crewe, starting every minute of their last five league games and helping the team remain unbeaten with four draws and one win. His goal came late in added time, securing a draw for Crewe with a precise left-footed shot. Stephenson expressed pride in his achievement, noting it was crucial to hit the ball "as sweet as possible." This breakthrough highlights his rapid development and growing importance in his loan spell at Crewe.
Written for “London Football Match Highlights” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 9945 · logged 2026-09-15
A month into the new season and London’s loan players are starting to settle into their surroundings.
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players → start → surroundings
While some players are trying to plead their case for minutes, others have already proven their worth.
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others → try → worth
With first impressions out of the way, focus will now turn to getting minutes and making an impact in a bid to impress their parent clubs and secure a first-team future.
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focus → turn → future
Standard Sport assesses five performances that stood out from London’s loan contingent…
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that → assess → contingent
Josh Stephenson nets first senior goal
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise since joining Brentford’s B team from Millwall in November 2024 and has quickly settled into life on loan at Crewe.
Stephenson has played every minute of Crewe’s last five league games, helping them stay unbeaten with four draws and one win.
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them → net → draws
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His crisp left-footed finish deep into added time capped an excellent performance for the young defender.
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finish → read → defender
“I was in the right place at the right time, and I just needed to hit it as sweet as possible,” Stephenson said.
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Stephenson → need → it
Oliver Irow scores screamer
Picking up the ball under pressure at the edge of the box, Irow thundered a right-footed strike into the top corner to open the scoring within a minute at Home Park.
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Irow → score → Park
The 20-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Mansfield Town, has started well at Plymouth and is fast becoming a difference maker for the League One side.
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who → spend → side
Irow now has two goals in five appearances for Plymouth, having also scored during their 4-2 defeat to Premier League Coventry City in the Carabao Cup second round.
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Irow → have → round
Brentford duo help Portsmouth hold on
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Portsmouth → help → ?
Few teams have made more use of the Premier League loan market than Portsmouth this season.
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teams → make → Portsmouth
Kavuma-McQueen made an immediate impact, scoring his first senior goal in just Portsmouth’s second game of the season away to Bristol City.
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McQueen → make → City
But against Charlton, it was all about Meghoma and Arthur as the pair started together to help Portsmouth earn a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Valley.
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Portsmouth → start → Valley
Arthur, in particular, shone as he warded off wave after wave of Charlton attacks.
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he → shine → attacks
The 20-year-old produced more clearances than any other player and did not commit a single foul.
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old → produce → foul
Yusuf Akhamrich continues his superb start to season
Spurs view Leyton Orient as a good club for young players to spread their wings, and it is why they entrusted them with 21-year-old midfielder Yusuf Akhamrich.
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they → continue → Akhamrich
After a productive loan spell at League Two Bristol Rovers last season, Akhamrich has stepped up a division this year but has shown no signs of slowing down.
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Akhamrich → step → signs
The Moroccan youth international has three goals and three assists in six league appearances for Leyton Orient and grabbed a pair of assists as they were ultimately beaten 3-2 at home to Wycombe Wanderers over the weekend.
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they → have → weekend
A dangerous inswinging cross, headed into his own net by Wycombe captain Jack Grimmer, drew Leyton Orient level in the 37th minute before he repeated the trick again as he crossed with his left foot for Jaze Kabia to reduce the deficit to 3-2 after 52 minutes.
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Kabia → inswinge → minutes
A disappointing result, but another impressive display from Akhamrich, who is quickly making a name for himself.
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who → make → himself
Aaron Loupalo-Bi stakes claim for starting berth
Aaron Loupalo-Bi has yet to play 100 league minutes for Fleetwood Town but already has two goals to his name after scoring in back-to-back games against Shrewsbury and Newport County.
The Fulham loanee is starting to find his feet in front of goal and has given Fleetwood manager Matt Lawlor plenty to ponder.
Climbing off the bench in the 63rd minute, it took Loupalo-Bi just five minutes to make an impact, stabbing home from close range to bring Fleetwood level.
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it → stake → level
If he keeps up this form, it won’t be long until the 20-year-old gets his chance in the starting lineup.
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old → keep → lineup
The Aporia
