Hatters to face Ipswich Town U21s in Vertu Trophy group stage

Luton Town will face Ipswich Town U21s in the Vertu Trophy group stage after the draw was made this afternoon.

The Hatters, who won the competition last term when beating Stockport County 3-1 at Wembley, had already known they would be going up against fellow League One side Peterborough United and League Two Colchester United, with those ties announced on Tuesday. They then discovered their Premier League opponents today, going up against the Tractor Boys, who have just appointed Gary O’Neil as manager, reaching the top flight by finishing second in the Championship last season.

Luton youngster Finley Evans made history when the Hatters took on Brighton & Hove Albion U21s last season, becoming the club’s youngest-ever player to score in a first team match aged just 16 years and 271 days. Jerry Yates had put Town 2-0 ahead late in the first half, netting the second from the penalty spot, before Noel Atom pulled one back on 74 minutes. Evans then made sure of the points moments later, converting from close range to break the record held for almost 50 years by Hatters legend Ricky Hill, who was 17 years and 45 days when he set it..

Group A: Oxford United, Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Tottenham Hotspur U21s. Group B: Leicester City, Walsall, Stevenage, Fulham U21s. Group C: Reading, Bristol Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers, Chelsea U21s. Group D: Luton Town, Peterborough United, Colchester United, Ipswich Town U21s.

Group E: Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town, Newport County, Crystal Palace U21s. Group F: AFC Wimbledon, Leyton Orient, Barnet, Arsenal U21s. Group G: Cambridge United, Gillingham, Northampton Town, Brighton & Hove Albion U21s. Group H: Bromley, Crawley Town, MK Dons, Brentford U21s.

The round dates for the EFL Trophy have been confirmed as the following – Group Stage: From early September; Round of 32: w/c 7 December; Round of 16: w/c 11 January; Quarter Finals: w/c 15 February; Semi Finals: w/c 8 March; Final: Sunday 11 April.