The Vertu Trophy continues to be the competition to watch if you’re looking for goals after another action-packed round of fixtures in the group stage.
Just over 400 goals were scored across the competition last season, and the number scored this time around is already into three figures despite the fact that some teams have yet to play a match.
Two games in the Northern Section had taken place the previous week, with Tranmere Rovers being held to a 2-2 draw by the Nottingham Forest U21 team in Group B before bagging the extra bonus point on offer with a 9-8 win on penalties.
In Group F meanwhile, an early penalty from Mason Bennett proved to be the difference at Field Mill as Harrogate Town took the points away against Mansfield Town.
The big winners in the second round of group fixtures also came in the Northern side of the draw, with Blackpool leapfrogging Tranmere to top Group B thanks to a comfortable home victory over Barrow.
Scott Banks netted in both halves whilst there were also goals for Ashley Fletcher, Andrew Lyons and Dale Taylor in a straightforward 5-0 win.
The remaining four games took place in the Southern Section, with Cardiff City taking three points from the first game in Group A; Callum Robinson scoring the winner in a single goal win away at Exeter City in front of more than 2,000 fans.
In Group D, MK Dons were on the wrong side of a 5-1 humbling at home to the West Ham United U21s, who saw Northern Ireland international Callum Marshall score twice.
That would be the only victory for an academy team, with AFC Wimbledon bouncing back from a heavy loss to Stevenage in their first game in Group E to beat Crystal Palace U21 3-1 at Plough Lane – with late goals from Antwoine Hackford and Kai Jennings securing the points.
Crawley Town meanwhile took the points from their tie with Aston Villa U21, with two goals from Will Radcliffe in a 4-2 victory at Broadfield.
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