Goals Galore In High-Scoring Vertu Trophy Encounters

Matt Salisbury
Matt SalisburyAutomotive Content Editor
Vertu Trophy action
Vertu Trophy action

Just one spot remains in the final eight of the Vertu Trophy after a dramatic set of fixtures in the Round of 16 saw three of the games decided in the final minute.

The four quarter finalists in the Northern part of the draw have all been decided, with four sides from League One earning their spot in the next round.

Stockport County, who currently sit fourth in League One, are the highest placed team still standing in the competition after seeing off the challenge of League Two strugglers Harrogate Town at Edgeley Park.

Despite being without a win since knocking out Blackpool in the second round in early December, Harrogate threatened a shock when Tom Cursons opened the scoring just after half-time, but Josh Stokes came off the bench to score twice for the home side – with the winner coming in stoppage time.

Fellow high-flyers Huddersfield Town had a much easier night at home to Rotherham United, with Will Alves, Lasse Sorensen and Cameron Ashia all netting in a straightforward 3-0 win.

Doncaster Rovers put their league struggles behind them with a 3-1 victory at home against Fleetwood Town, with veteran striker Billy Sharp netting two goals for the second successive round less than a month away from his 40th birthday.

The final tie in the Northern Section did spring a surprise however, with double winners Bolton Wanderers bowing out at the Toughsheet Stadium with defeat to Port Vale.

League One’s bottom side followed up victory in the FA Cup in the first match for new manager Jon Brady with a last minute winner, as Ben Waine’s header split the teams.

In the Southern Section of the draw, AFC Wimbledon put four goals past the West Ham U21 side in the opening game of the week, which means no Academy sides are now remaining in the competition.

With Northampton Town and Walsall still to play, the other two ties proved to be dramatic but for differing reasons, with Swindon Town taking their strong form from League Two into their trip to Luton Town.

Luton took an early lead through Jerry Yates but Swindon equalised before the break through Will Wright before Filozofe Mabete hit the winner in the second half.

However, a potential issue over the eligibility of Swindon substitute Aaron Drinan could yet cause problems for the Robins, with both managers expecting some form of investigation to take place.

Plymouth Argyle will definitely be in the draw after a seven goal thriller at the Memorial Ground against Bristol Rovers, who conceded an early goal before battling back to grab a 2-1 lead at the break.

Argyle then managed two quick goals early in the second half to reclaim their advantage before Luke Thomas levelled things up at 3-3 with half an hour to play.

The game looked to be heading to penalties but Bim Pepple’s deflected effort in stoppage time put the visitors through to the next round.