Tuesday Night’s EFL Trophy 2nd Round Ties Round-Up

The EFL Trophy Second Round took place last night with 11 ties taking place of which five games featured Under -21 sides who had survived the group stages. Also involved in this round of fixtures was last season’s winners Lincoln City who were looking to make back-to-back visits to Wembley this year. Here is what happened last night:

In the Northern Section, Sol Campbell took charge of Macclesfield Town for the first time since his appointment over a week ago in the familiar territory of St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United Under 21’s. Despite having much of the chances in the game, it was the Toon who struck first with Elias Sorenson scoring after 23 minutes. The Silkmen eventually managed to force penalties through a Scott Wilson goal in the 84th minute before eventually losing 5-3 in front of the 1,126 crowd.

Barnsley couldn’t make it two wins on the trot for them following their FA Cup win over Southend on Saturday as they bowed out to Manchester City Under-21’s at Oakwell 5-3 on penalties following a brilliant 3-3 draw after 90 minutes.

Accrington Stanley saw off last seasons winners Lincoln City 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes at the Wham Stadium whilst Bury managed to claw back from Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Luton with a 1-0 victory over Mansfield at The One Call Stadium and Sunderland managed a 2-0 victory over Notts County at The Stadium Of Light.

Port Vale saw off Stoke City’s Under 21’s 4-0 in front of a bumper crowd of 7,940 of which more than 150 police officers were deployed to cover this derby which hasn’t been played for 16 years. Tom Pope opened the scoring after 6 minutes before goals from Luke Hannant and a Cristian Montano double secured the game for the Vale.

The game, however, was overshadowed by the violence caused by a few visiting spectators who caused damage to seats, toilets and windows of which in the aftermath, 11 people have been arrested so far with more arrests likely to happen in the coming days.

In the Southern Section, Chelsea Under-21’s became the only Under-21 side left in the southern section of the Checkatrade Trophy with a 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon in Wally Downes’ first game as manger of The Dons at Stamford Bridge whilst Portsmouth saw off Arsenal Under-21’s at Fratton Park which featured first team captain Laurent Koscielny who made his first appearance for the Gunners in 7 months since suffering an Achilles injury against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-finals.

Peterborough United travelled to Exeter City following a 2-2 draw with Bradford City at the weekend and they managed a 2-0 victory over The Urchins with the goals coming from Ivan Toney and Jason Cummings in the 67th and 77th minutes. Northampton Town managed to see off fellow League Two strugglers Cambridge United with an equaliser from Kevin van Veen in the 88th minute cancelling out George Maris’ opener for the hosts after eight minutes. The Cobblers then saw the U’s off with a 4-2 win on penalties.

And lastly League Two relegation-threatened side Cheltenham Town also managed to see off high-flying Newport County at Whaddon Road via a 7-6 win on penalties with Alex Addai levelling for the hosts in the 67th minute which ruled out Padraig Amond’s 16th minute opener for the visitors.

Tonight sees Rochdale welcome Oldham Athletic to the Spotland Stadium and Shrewsbury vs Walsall at New Meadow in the Northern Section whilst high-flying Luton Town entertain Southend United at Kenilworth Road and the Liberty Stadium hosts Swansea City Under 21’s against Bristol Rovers.