Robbie Savage’s first match in charge of Peterborough United ended in a convincing 4-1 win over Ipswich Town Under-21s in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy, a result that confirmed his side’s place in the last 32 of the competition. Appointed only on Friday, the former Wales international watched Peterborough cruise into a 4-0 lead by half-time.
Harry Leonard scored twice, part of a burst of four Peterborough goals in 10 first-half minutes, and it was Leonard who scored the opening goal of Savage’s reign. The victory made it two wins from two in the group, leaving the club with six points from a possible six and one group game still to play. Savage left National League club Forest Green Rovers to succeed Luke Williams at Peterborough and take his first managerial position in the EFL.
Peterborough’s win also settled the fate of the holders, Luton. The Hatters have five points from two games, having claimed two points from a penalty shootout victory against Colchester United on Saturday, and are now certain to reach the last 32.
Elsewhere in the Northern section, Bradford City provided another landmark for a newly appointed League One manager. Michael Duff, confirmed as Graham Alexander’s successor within hours of the Bantams’ match, watched from the stands as his new side won 4-0 at Rotherham United to book their place in the knockout stage, with interim manager Mark Trueman taking charge of the team. Early goals from Will Swan and Stephen Humphrys put Bradford in control before Swan’s second and Nick Powell’s penalty completed the scoring, leaving the Millers needing to beat Newcastle Under-21s in their final group game.
Huddersfield Town also cemented their place in the next stage with a comfortable 5-0 win over Rochdale, with Lynden Gooch, Jay Smith-Sway and Cameron Ashia all on target. Samson Tovide scored his first goal for the Terriers in only his second appearance, and Jamie Spencer added a fifth.
Sheffield Wednesday moved into the last 32 by beating Sunderland Under-21s 2-0 at Hillsborough. Sunderland included Luke O’Nien, a winner of the competition with the Black Cats’ senior side in 2021, but the defender was unable to prevent the defeat.
Accrington Stanley are favourites to join Wednesday in qualifying from Northern Group A after David Tutonda’s 98th-minute equaliser against Salford took their tie to penalties, the home side claiming the bonus point with a 5-4 win in the shootout. Dylan Hartley, 15, became the youngest player to make a senior appearance for Doncaster Rovers when he came on as a late substitute in their 1-0 win over Liverpool Under-21s.
Last season’s runners-up Stockport County are in pole position in their group after a second successive victory, winning 2-0 at Shrewsbury Town with Che Gardner’s first senior goal for the Hatters adding to Jason Adigun’s effort. Fleetwood Town went top of their group by thrashing Barnsley 4-1, with Noah Sawkins marking his senior debut by scoring the fourth goal.
Blackpool kept their chances of progressing alive by taking a bonus point from a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Crewe following a 2-2 draw, while Wigan are guaranteed to qualify from that group despite not playing on Tuesday. Burton Albion beat Grimsby Town 4-2 on penalties to go second in their group with both clubs still in the hunt for a last-32 spot, and Port Vale’s 2-0 win over Mansfield Town ended the Stags’ hopes.
In the Southern section, Stevenage, Cambridge and MK Dons all made it two wins from two. Stevenage and Cambridge were 2-1 winners against Leicester and Northampton respectively, while Aaron Collins scored a hat-trick as MK Dons thrashed Brentford Under-21s 7-1. The Bees’ academy side will still qualify if they win their final group game against Crawley, who collected their first points with a 4-0 victory over Bromley.
Emre Tezgel’s double helped Wycombe to a 4-1 win against Bristol Rovers, which sent the League One club through to the next round. Exeter, Plymouth and Barnet all drew their respective matches but took extra points from penalty shootout victories.