There were stories all over the place last night as the Vertu Trophy Group Stages reached its climax on a rainy Tuesday evening.
From goals-galore to penalty shootout chaos, last-minute winners and delayed games, the EFL Trophy, despite all its flaws, delivered drama.
Northern Rain Disrupts Matches
There is no better place to talk about chaos than in Groups A and B of the Northern Section. Tranmere Rovers’ home encounter against Blackpool eventually kicked off at 20:00 after 3 pitch inspections at Prenton Park. Some supporters of both teams, fearing the worst from the reaction of the match officials, left the ground before any action had begun.
Both sides had already progressed in the competition, but the League Two outfit ran out 2-1 winners with a comeback victory to top the group. Elsewhere, across the M56, Stockport County beat Wigan Athletic on penalties after 187 minutes of action. Salford City’s victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers U21’s meant that County saw out the final 30 minutes of the delayed encounter to progress.
This match was suspended for almost an hour due to heavy rainfall, and the Hatters eventually won the dead-rubber penalty shootout. Meanwhile, the Ammies topped that particular group with a 4-2 victory over Wolves academy outfit. In Group C, Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City had both progressed, but Donny were victorious 3-1 for the second time this season against the Bantams.
Chesterfield claimed the vital extra point they needed to progress, with an 11-10 penalty shootout victory over Liverpool U21’s. Burton Albion simultaneously lost to Crewe Alexandra to end their hopes of progressing. Port Vale and Fleetwood Town shared 6 goals in a thriller, with the Fishermen winning on penalties, while Accrington Stanley are out but beat Leeds United U21’s.
Lincoln City eased to victory at Barnsley, becoming the only side not to concede during the group stages, though both teams are through to the knockout stages. Bolton Wanderers romped to a 6-2 victory at Oldham Athletic, with the sides finishing top and bottom of Group E. Harrogate Town beat Newcastle United U21’s 3-1, though both sides already knew their fate heading into the encounter, as the Sulphurites topped the group.
Southern Surprises & Late Drama
Donay O’Brien-Brady grabbed a last-minute winner for Peterborough United at Crawley Town to send them through to the Round of 32 at the Red Devils expense. Creeping towards penalties, Posh scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to progress. Cardiff City and Exeter City went through in Group A of the southern section by defeating Arsenal U21’s and Newport County, respectively.
Swindon Town thrashed league rivals Milton Keynes Dons 4-0 away from home in Group D to top the group. That’s a position Northampton Town were already assured of, but they ended Shrewsbury Town’s hopes of progressing by beating Salop 2-1. Bristol Rovers continued Plymouth Argyle’s woes by edging past League One’s bottom side, although both teams were already through.
AFC Wimbledon narrowly won against capital rivals Bromley, making it through to the knockout stages of the competition at their expense. Finally, Group G saw Wycombe Wanderers finish in second spot to progress ahead of opponents Gillingham. And Colchester United made it 3 wins from 3 against Fulham U21’s, who finished bottom of their group with 0 points.
What’s Next?
The draw for the Round of 32 takes place tomorrow afternoon at 14:30, drawn live on Sky Sports News. West Ham United U21’s were the only academy side to progress from the group stages, with the remaining 31 teams made up of League One and League Two sides. The games will take place in the first week of December, before the competition continues into 2026.
