Reading FC Loan Report: January 7th

Rob Dickie/Stuart Moore - Basingstoke Town (Vanarama Conference South) Appearances: 4/27

Both Rob and Stuart started in Basingstoke's game against Eastbourne, looking to make it four wins in four and rise to 3rd in the Vanarama Conference South. With solid performances from both loanees, Town did just that, taking all three points in a closely fought game that was settled in the second half by Shaun McAuley, having just replaced the injured Simon Dunn. Rob was given an 8/10 rating and was said to have looked 'solid at the back' whilst Stuart was also given an 8/10, and his excellent save early in the second half was described as 'just as vital as the winning goal'.

Afterwards, Stuart took to Twitter to express his delight at another clean sheet and fourth win on the bounce. Stuart stated that it was "Nice to get another clean sheet". Basingstoke have now taken maximum points over the Christmas period and, as they head into a busy January, lie 3rd in the Conference South with 41 points. They sit 7 points behind leaders Boreham Wood but have four games in hand over their rivals.

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Jon Henly - Welling United (Vanarama Conference Premier) League Appearances: 13

Scotland's youth goalkeeper joined Welling on loan back in mid-September and has gone on to make 11(+2) league appearances for the club, helping them to 19th in the league, 9 points ahead of 21st placed Alfreton Town and 14 points above rock bottom Telford. Henly confirmed to me via social media that he had "just extended (his loan) till the 14th March". Interestingly, Welling have also signed former-Royal Glen Little on a playing contract. The 39-year-old winger was previously registered with Grays but moved to Park View Road last month. Throughout November and much of December, Henly found himself out of the Welling side in favour of another loanee goalkeeper, Benji Buchel from Bournemouth but returned towards the end of December following Buchel's sending off during Welling's 4-0 to Dover. Buchel's loan also expired at the turn of the new year and with Henly's extension now confirmed, it looks as if he'll be in the side more often that not until March 14th and possibly beyond.

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Aaron Tshibola - Hartlepool United (SkyBet Football League 2) Appearances: 1

By all accounts, Aaron Tshibola had a dream debut for his new loan side, Hartlepool United. Unfortunately though, it wasn't enough to see his side pick up what would have been just their 4th win of the season as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to leaders Wycombe. Aaron started the match and went on to pick up Hartlepool's man of the match award and featured in the League Two's team of the week in many newspapers across Britain.

Despite the defeat and seemingly inevitable relegation, Tshibola remains upbeat about his side's chances of survival, telling the Sunderland Echo;

"I can gain a lot from my time here, it is all about being a man, showing some guts and going out there and giving 100 per cent every time you pull that shirt on.

"We are 10 points adrift but there are still a lot of games left. If we keep playing like we did against Wycombe then the chances will come and I am confident we will get a win sooner, rather than later."