30/10/2024 11:26
The League One side were in dominant form at St Andrews to secure the biggest win of the tournament to date this season – putting them in the hat for the second round draw next month.
Northern Section:
Accrington Stanley retained a slender chance of progressing from Group A going into their final game against Everton U21, but needed a big win in order to make it through having lost their opening two games.
Stanley took the lead when Charlie Whittaker put through his own net before Everton drew level less than five minutes later when Harrison Armstrong fired into the bottom corner.
Accrington claimed the points when Josh Woods curled in a second-half winner but can no longer qualify, with Everton left to sweat on the result of Stockport against Tranmere next month to see if they progress.
In Group F, Doncaster Rovers secured their place in the next round with a 3-1 win away from home against Barnsley – who bow out of the competition with three defeats from three games.
Joe Ironside put Rovers ahead on the stroke of half-time before Harry Clifton doubled the lead mid-way through the second half. Although Aiden March got one back for the home side, a late strike from Kyle Hurst wrapped up the points and a place in the knock-out stage.
Group G remains wide open with one round of fixtures left to play after Manchester City U21s took the bonus point following a draw away at Grimsby Town.
The game looked to be heading towards a goalless draw and penalty kicks before Reigan Heskey – son of former England forward Emile – put City in front with a minute left to play. Grimsby levelled moments later however through Danny Rose but it was City who grabbed the extra point by winning the penalty shootout.
In Group H, Bradford City progressed to the next stage without kicking a ball as a result of Mansfield Town taking three points against Newcastle U21s at Field Mill.
Mansfield had already been knocked out of the competition but bowed out on a high as two goals from Ben Quinn and one from Lucas Akins secured a 3-0 win.
Southern Section:
Birmingham City knew a win against Fulham U21 would be enough to book a place in the knock-out stage, and the former winners were in dominant form at St Andrews as the Academy opposition were blown away in Group A.
Big money signing Jay Stansfield put City in front before Martial Godo equalised for the visitiors, but a second from Stansfield ensured that his side held the lead at half-time.
Two goals from Ayumu Yokoyama as well as efforts from Alfie May, Keshi Anderson and Lyndon Dykes in the second half wrapped up a 7-1 win as Birmingham joined Walsall in the next round.
Brighton & Hove Albion U21 kept their hopes of progression alive with a vital victory against an AFC Wimbledon side that had already confirmed a place in the next round from Group B.
Caylan Vickers, Cameron Peupion and Remeiro Moulton scored the goals in a 3-0 win that leave Albion to sweat on the result of Wycombe Wanderers against Crawley Town in the final group game.
Charlton Athletic are on their way to the knock-out stage from Group C after a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Chelsea U21. Miles Leaburn netted once in each half, with Tyreece Campbell adding a late third to secure progression with a game to go, with the remaining three teams in the group all still able to join them.
Exeter City made it three wins from three in Group G to cement their position as group winners, whilst also consigning Bristol Rovers to an early exit.
Rovers were forced to twice come back from a goal down as Connor Taylor and Isaac Hutchinson cancelled out goals from Jay Bird and Millenic Alli but Demi Mitchell’s late winner wrapped up top spot for Exeter with a 3-2 win.
In Group H meanwhile, Cheltenham Town made it two wins from two to move top of the table thanks to a 3-1 win at home to West Ham U21s, who can now no longer make it through.
Liam Dulson and Matt Taylor put the home side two goals clear before Kamarai Simon-Swyer pulled one back for the Hammers, only for Tom King to wrap up the victory late on with a third goal.