Blackburn Rovers' loan contingent had a great weekend with Leo Duru and Connor O'Riordan both getting on the scoresheet.
Duru, who joined Barrow in January, netted his first senior goal in a 2-0 win over Accrington Stanley. Fellow Rover, Jake Batty, was a half-time change but it was the hosts that took the points.
The 20-year-old was first to react to prod home after a corner had been flicked into the six-yard box. Duru has been a regular in Andy Whing's side since signing in January and he was delighted to get his first goal-scoring moment.
"I am over the moon, I want to thank god first of all, we're very happy with the win and a goal today," Duru told BBC Radio Cumbria.
"I hit the post on Tuesday which was gutting but this made up for it. The way the manager wants us to play suits me, an attacking wing-back role suits me and there is definitely more to come.
"I've built some good connections and those understandings are getting better. I've got experience around me which helps me through games.
"I am really enjoying it, it's a big step up and I appreciate the opportunity. Playing regular first-team football is really helping me."
He added: "The gaffer has come in and set out game plans of how we play and we can do things.
"We have adjusted to that. We've been working hard for each other and the results are coming. We've won two on the bounce so we want to make that three, four and five."
O'Riordan made it two goals for Crewe Alexandra since re-joining the club in the winter window. The defender has been a key player for Lee Bell's side and netted a brilliant strike to secure a 1-1 draw against Salford.
Having won the ball back, he strode forward and lashed the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards. A brilliant strike from a young player who has had tough moments in the last 18 months.
BOSH! 🚀
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 9, 2025
Connor O'Riordan with a spectacular strike@crewealexfc | @EFL pic.twitter.com/Y2He6Lmd1o
"I think it's got to be my best one!" he said after the match. "It fell for me on the edge of the box and nobody closed me down so I thought I'd strike it.
"Luckily, I made a good connection with it and it went in. It sat up well to hit it and I back myself technically to make a good contact with the ball. Luckily for us it went in!
"I am loving it, it has been a tough few months. That's football and it's now going to go your way all the time. I have definitely learned a lot in the last year. I am grateful to come back, the gaffer has given me the opportunity to fall back in love with football really."
Jake Garrett was an unused substitute for Tranmere Rovers as they boosted their survival hopes with a 2-1 win over Bromley. They are currently without a manager after Nigel Adkins stepped down last week.
The midfielder has been involved eight games since making the January switch, with this the first game he hasn't been used in.
Dilan Markanday was not named in the matchday squad for Leyton Orient. Wellens did not mention any injury to the winger in his pre or post-match interviews, though he wasn't directly asked about the Rovers loanee either.
Like Garrett, Markanday has been a regular performer for the Os since moving in January and started the previous two games.
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