Checkatrade Trophy fixtures confirmed

The three group fixtures for our development squad in the Checkatrade Trophy have been confirmed, with Joe Edwards’s side heading to the south-west in August, October and November.

Last week’s draw saw the young Blues pitted in Group D of the southern section alongside Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Yeovil Town. Our first game takes place following the opening weekend of the season on Tuesday 15 August at Home Park (pictured top) against Plymouth, with kick-off at 7pm.

We then travel to Huish Park to take on Yeovil on Tuesday 25 October before concluding the group against Exeter at St James’s Park on Tuesday 28 November. Both fixtures kick off at 7.45pm.

This is the second season in which development squads have been invited to participate in the Football League Trophy. In total, 16 Premier League and Championship sides are represented with development teams alongside the 48 League One and League Two clubs. Development teams are required to field a minimum of six Under-21 players in their starting line-up.

The top two from each group advance to the knockout round. In a repeat of last season’s unique format, a penalty shootout will follow in the event of a draw and the winners awarded an additional group point. Following a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last term against Oxford United, the eventual finalists, goalkeeper Bradley Collins made a number of saves and scored himself as we won spot-kicks 13-12. It was the longest penalty shootout in English football history.

Ticket details for the three games will be announced in due course. Details of our Premier League 2 fixtures will also be published shortly.