On-loan Town midfielder Kundai Benyu has been named Aldershot’s Player of the Month for February. The 19-year-old's spell with the Shots has been extended until April 1st.
Benyu has been at the Recreation Ground since December and has made 14 appearances, including 12 starts, scoring one goal.
On Saturday, Aldershot, who are in sixth place in the Vanarama National League, drew 0-0 at home to leaders Lincoln City, extending their unbeaten run to 11 games.
Speaking in January, Town boss Mick McCarthy said he was happy to keep extending Benyu’s loan spell with the Shots each month until he brings him back to Portman Road towards the end of the campaign
Congratulations to your February Player of the Month...@kundaibenyu_ pic.twitter.com/2p5fWV8OSP– Aldershot Town FC (@OfficialShots) March 5, 2017
We are delighted to confirm that @kundaibenyu_ has extended his loan from Ipswich Town until Sat 1 April...https://t.co/odvEIkKPPS pic.twitter.com/lpjHUVNb9j– Aldershot Town FC (@OfficialShots) March 5, 2017
"It’s certainly benefiting Kundai,” he said. "They’re going keep him, we’ve got a 24-hour recall on him and hopefully towards the end of the season, if we’re neither going up nor down, then we can blood some of the young ‘uns and Kundai will be better off having had two, three, maybe four months playing in the National League."
Benyu, who is out of contract with Town at the end of the season, has been on the Blues first-team bench on four occasions but without making his debut.
How we didn't get anything out of the game today I don't know 🤔 disappointing result but we go again next week 💪ðŸ»âš½ï¸ @stalbanscityfc– Joe Robinson (@Jooeerobinson) March 4, 2017
Meanwhile, defender Joe Robinson made his debut for St Albans City as they lost 1-0 at home to Bishop’s Stortford in the Vanarama National League South, former Town academy striker Sam Ford, who is on loan from West Ham, scoring the game’s only goal.
Elsewhere, Monty Patterson and Braintree were beaten 2-1 at home by Wrexham in the Vanarama National League.