DANNY’S IMPS AFTER WOLVES
Shoot-out loss puts holders on brink
HOLDERS Lincoln City are on the brink of being knocked out after going down on penalties to Wolves U21s.
The Imps really needed a victory to boost their chances of reaching the last 32 and Matt Green twice gave them the lead, netting in the 23rd and 42nd minutes.
However, the Wolves youngsters replied through Benny Ashley-Seal on 39 minutes and Ryan Giles four minutes into first half stoppage time.
With neither side able to find a winner in the 90 minutes, the match was decided on penalties, the visitors picking up an extra point.
After both sides missed once in the regulation five spot-kicks, Lincoln’s Tom Pett crashed his effort against the bar, allowing Wolves to earn a 5-4 shoot-out win.
Third-placed Lincoln have completed their matches in Northern Group H and now need group leaders Mansfield, who have already qualified, to beat second-placed Scunthorpe in midweek if they are to pip the Iron to runners-up spot on goal difference.
Permutations
Lincoln boss Danny Cowley said: “We were in and out of the competition more than the hokey cokey!
“In terms of the permutations, we are above Wolves on goals scored and have to await the result of the other remaining game.
“If Mansfield beat Scunthorpe in normal time we are through unless it’s a high scoring game, and then Scunthorpe would go through on goals scored. So, it’s out of our hands.”
Aside from Lincoln’s spotkick woes, it was a good night for EFL clubs against academy opposition.
Yeovil bowed out of the competition in style with a thumping 4-0 win against
West Ham U21s, who failed to pick up a point in their three matches in Southern Group D.
Shaun Donnellan gave the
Glovers the lead on 11 minutes and a Tunji Akinola own goal early in the second half gave them breathing space. Tom James scored with a delightful free-kick on 65 minutes before Enes Mahmutovic wrapped up the scoring with seven minutes left.
Accrington Stanley ensured their place in the knockout stages with a game to spare with a dramatic victory against West Brom U21s in Northern Group C.
Jordan Clark gave Stanley a 49th-minute lead, but it was all-square when Jonathan Leko netted just after the hour mark. With penalties looming, defender Ross Sykes popped up with an injury time headed winner to earn John Coleman’s men all three points. In Northern Group F, Barnsley beat Everton U21s 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Ryan Hedges’ superb strike gave the Tykes a 40th-minute lead, but Everton hit back through Bassala Sambou early in the second period.
Barnsley now need just a point from the final group game against Bradford on Tuesday to book their place in the last 32, and could even go through with a narrow defeat. Northampton Town brushed Fulham Under-21s aside, easing to a 2-0 victory to qualify from Southern Group F as runners-up. Aaron Pierre and Sam Hoskins both net-
ted in the opening 20 minutes. Wycombe Wanderers had gone into the evening top of the group, but their 3-0 defeat at home against Oxford
United, coupled with Northampton’s victory, dumped them out – even though they gained six points from their three matches.
Cameron Brannagan, after just 20 seconds, Marcus Browne and Sam Smith bagged the goals as the impressive U’s stormed to victory, topping the group in the process.
There hasn’t been much for AFC Wimbledon to cheer about recently, so their thumping 4-0 home win against Stevenage was a welcome boost.
Kwesi Appiah notched the opener, also after 20 seconds, before Anthony Wordsworth, Tyler Garratt and Alfie Egan added gloss to the scoreline.
The Dons have qualified from Southern Group G, with Charlton and Swansea U21s, who meet on Tuesday, battling it out for second place.
Quickfire
If Tuesday was a night for the EFL, then the following evening was one for the academy sides to enjoy. Arsenal U21s proved too strong for Forest Green Rovers, winning 3-1. A quickfire double from Joe Willock (41 pen and 43) put the Gunners in control, but Dayle Grubb cut the deficit just after the hour.
However, it was the visitors who made certain of the spoils when Tyreece John-Jules netted with five minutes left.
Arsenal are through to the knockout stages, but second-placed Forest Green, who have also completed their Southern Group E games, look likely to be pipped by either Cheltenham or Coventry, who meet in the final group game on Tuesday.
In a dead rubber in Northern Group E, Middlesbrough U21s won 1-0 at Burton Albion. Both sides were already out, but Boro at least had the satisfaction of finishing their campaign with a win. Sub Haydon Hackney netted the only goal on 87 minutes.
Already-qualified Rochdale went down to a penalty shootout defeat against Leicester
U21s in Northern Group B. Dale raced into a two-nil lead in 17 minutes through Calvin Andrew and Jim McNulty, but the Foxes hit back courtesy of Alex Pascanu (28 mins) and Ryan Loft (66).
Loft then hit the post with a penalty as Leicester sought a winner, though they did pick up a bonus point by winning the shoot-out 4-3.