Vertu Trophy Hits Knock Out Stage

The Vertu Trophy continues this week as the battle to make it to Wembley Stadium hots up with the first games in the Round of 32.

In total, 30 of the 32 teams will be in action in the opening knock-out stage of the 2025/26 competition, where teams will again do battle against rivals from their own region having made it through the group stage element.

Northern Section:

Currently sitting third in League One, Bradford City are the highest-placed team left in the Northern Section having progressed from Group C and will be involved in arguably the tie of the round with a trip to Bolton Wanderers – who sit just three points behind in the league.

Lincoln City and Stockport County are also currently holding play-off spots in League One, with Lincoln hosting Huddersfield Town in the Round of 32 and Stockport visiting League Two side Crewe Alexandra.

Blackpool and Port Vale will both hope that the Vertu Trophy can continue to provide some respite from their struggles in League One, with Port Vale at home to Barnsley and Blackpool heading to Harrogate Town – who sit 23rd in League Two and are the lowest placed team still in the competition.

Harrogate have won only four times in 18 games in the league, but won all three group stage ties to qualify for the knock-out phase for only the second time.

Southern Section:

The Southern Section draw includes the highest placed team still in the competition in the shape of League One leaders Cardiff City, who topped Group A despite a home loss to Newport County.

The Welsh side will now go up AFC Wimbledon in the first knock-out stage whilst Stevenage – who sit a point behind Cardiff in the league – are also through to the Round of 32 and have an intriguing home tie against the current League Two leaders Walsall.

Walsall progressed from the group stage despite picking up just a single win in 90 minutes, with two bonus points coming from a penalty shootout success against Chelsea.

League One strugglers Plymouth Argyle will hope to overcome Leyton Orient to give their fans reason to cheer, with defending champions Peterborough United also hoping to put poor league form behind them when they visit League Two highflyers Swindon Town.

Colchester United are the lowest placed team in the Southern Section, and will go up against West Ham United U21; the only Academy team to have progressed from the group stage.

That tie takes place on the 9 December, a week after the remaining games.