Loan duo takes allocation over matchday limit

Callum Rowe and Ben Seymour have joined the Romans on loan from Exeter City for the rest of the season.

Seymour made his debut in Saturday’s win over Eastbourne, whereas Rowe’s first outing was less successful, a chastening 4-0 defeat at Hampton & Richmond Borough three days later, though he showed promise at left-back.

Both are used to similar deals with Seymour spending a month at Yeovil Town earlier this season alongside Jordan Dyer, who is also at Twerton Park until the campaign’s conclusion.

Rowe made four appearances in National League South for rivals Chippenham Town across November and December, but is more notable for his spell at Aston Villa.

The Leicester-born defender was thrown into the first team for the Villains last January due to a Covid19 outbreak ahead of an FA Cup tie with Liverpool, forcing them to field an entire side of under 18 and 23 players.

Having fallen behind in the fourth minute to Sadio Mane’s goal, Villa stunned Jurgen Klopp’s side by levelling on 41 minutes with Rowe assisting Louie Barry’s goal.

Eventually a strong Reds side blew away the brave challenge of the hosts with Mane adding another before goals from Gigi Wijnaldum and Mo Salah midway through the second half put the tie to bed.

Rowe had hopes of appearing at Wembley in another sense when he joined Hereford on loan soon after, but wasn’t included in their final defeat to Hornchurch and joined Exeter permanently in the summer.

Seymour was allocated the number nine with the Grecians but has struggled for game time this term, making six appearances in League Two. Overall he’s reached the half century for Matt Taylor’s men, recording one goal.

Their arrivals mean City have six players on loan from other clubs, the maximum they are allowed to include in a matchday squad is five.