Late Drama Across Vertu Trophy Round Of 32
EFL League One leaders Wycombe Wanderers won’t return to Wembley for a second successive season in the Vertu Trophy after bowing out in the Round of 32.
Last season’s beaten finalists were amongst the 28 teams in action on the opening night of games in the knock-out stages but failed to progress after a hectic night featuring plenty of goals and more late drama.
That was the case in the tie between Chesterfield and Wigan Athletic in the Northern Section, which ended in victory for the League Two side.
Armando Dobra opened the scoring for the home side before Callum McManaman levelled for Wigan, only for a James Berry penalty and a Dilan Markanday effort three minutes from time to turn the tie in Chesterfield’s favour – with Joe Hugill’s injury time reply for the visitors only a consolation.
Port Vale also left it late to progress against Doncaster Rovers, with the game seemingly heading for penalty kicks until Rekeen Harper found the net two minutes into stoppage time. A single goal was also enough for Lincoln City to progress at the expense of Morecambe, with Bailey Cadamateri’s first half effort proving to be enough.
Rotherham United looked to be cruising against Tranmere Rovers after goals from Jonson Clarke-Harris and Zak Jules put them two goals clear, only for Kristian Dennis to pull one back with five minutes to go. Hakeen Odoffin however confirmed progression to the next stage in the final minute, even though Tranmere scored again right at the death through Omari Patrick.
Callum Kavanagh scored twice, and Andy Cook also found the net, for Bradford City as they knocked out League One Stockport County, who had come from two goals down to level the match through Oliver Norwood and Odin Bailey.
Aaron James hit the only goal for Wrexham as they beat Crewe Alexandra, whilst Aaron Collins hit two goals in the final seven minutes for Bolton Wanderers to help them overcome Huddersfield Town with a 3-1 victory.
In the Southern Section, Stevenage qualified with ease for the Round of 16 as goals from Lewis Freestone, Tyreece Simpson, Kenneth Aboh and Harvey White secured a 4-0 win on the road against Burton Albion.
Leyton Orient left it late to progress against Charlton Athletic, with stoppage time goals from Charlie Kelman and Dan Agyei whilst Cheltenham Town came back from a goal down against Cambridge United to progress thanks to quickfire goals from Matthew Taylor and Arkell Jude-Boyd.
The only game to go to penalties saw Walsall and Reading draw 1-1, with Walsall equalising through Daniel Johnson in the 97th minute to prevent the visitors from progressing despite having two players dismissed.
Walsall then progressed after the shootout, winning 4-2 after ‘keeper Sam Hornby made two saves.
Kabongo Tshimanga and Billy Kirkman scored the goals that ended Wycombe’s hopes of return to Wembley, with a goal from Beryly Lubala coming too late to prevent Swindon Town from progressing 2-1, with Colchester United beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 thanks to a double from Lyle Taylor.
The final tie of the night saw Birmingham City see off Exeter City, with Luke Harris and Keshi Anderson scoring either side of an effort from Pierce Sweeney in a 2-1 win.
Whilst the draw for the Round of 16 takes place on Saturday, the final two Round of 32 ties are scheduled for next week, with Blackpool taking on Aston Villa U21 and defending champions Peterborough United going up against Northampton Town.