Away Draw For Swans

Away Draw For Swans

Holders Swansea have been drawn away to Walsall in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy - formerly the Football League Trophy.

The revamped competition sees 32 clubs from League One and League Two divided into four regions, with the other 16 teams being given byes.

The Northern Section (West) draw has handed Wrexham a home tie against League Two rivals Rochdale.

The first round ties will be played in the week beginning 16 October.

The new format also sees extra-time scrapped - with drawn matches proceeding straight to penalty shoot-outs if the scores are level after 90 minutes.

And, unlike the last few seasons, Conference National teams are not involved.

Meanwhile, the League has also attempted to curb the practice of clubs fielding weakened teams in the early rounds.

Under competition rules, clubs are required to include a majority of the 11 players that have appeared most often in first-team games during the season.

Swansea are the holders after beating Carlisle 2-1 in last season's final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Johnstone's Paint Trophy - First Round

Northern Section (West) Accrington Stanley v Carlisle Wrexham v Rochdale Macclesfield v Stockport Bury v Tranmere

Northern Section (East) Hartlepool v Rotherham Huddersfield v Doncaster Bradford v Scunthorpe Lincoln v Grimsby

Southern Section (East) Brighton v Boston Northampton v Brentford Notts County v Barnet Gillingham v Notts Forest

Southern Section (West) Wycombe v Swindon Walsall v Swansea Hereford v Shrewsbury Bristol Rovers v Torquay

First round ties take place in week beginning 16 October.

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