Clubs Await Trophy Draw
League Clubs Await Trophy Draw |
Sixteen teams have been given byes for the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, which is competed for by the 48 League One and League Two clubs. The format of the competition - formerly the Football League Trophy - is different this season. Unlike the last few seasons, Conference National teams are not involved. Also, the 32 teams not receiving byes have been split into four geographical sections for the first round - for which the full draw is on Saturday. Once the 48 clubs were divided into northern and southern sections, a preliminary draw took place on Friday which saw eight teams from each section drawn out to receive byes. The four geographical sections were then determined from the remaining 16 northern and 16 southern teams. Swansea are the holders after beating Carlisle 2-1 in last season's final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. The competition was first competed for in the 1983/84 season - and has previously been known as the Associate Members Cup, the Freight Rover Trophy, the Sherpa Van Trophy, the Leyland Daf Cup, the Autoglass Trophy, the Auto Windscreens Shield and the LDV Vans Trophy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Johnstone's Paint Trophy - First Round (Full draw to be made on Saturday, 23 September) Northern Section (West): Accrington, Bury, Carlisle, Macclesfield, Rochdale, Stockport, Tranmere, Wrexham. Northern Section (East): Bradford, Doncaster, Grimsby, Hartlepool, Huddersfield, Lincoln, Rotherham, Scunthorpe. Southern Section (West): Bristol Rovers, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Swansea, Swindon, Torquay, Walsall, Wycombe. Southern Section (East): Barnet, Boston, Brentford, Brighton, Gillingham, Northampton, Nottingham Forest, Notts County. Byes (northern section): Blackpool, Chester, Chesterfield, Crewe, Darlington, Mansfield, Oldham, Port Vale. Byes (southern section): Bournemouth, Bristol City, Cheltenham, Leyton Orient, Millwall, Milton Keynes Dons, Peterborough, Yeovil. First round ties take place in week beginning 16 October. What to read next:QPR completed a remarkable comeback with ten men against Preston North End at Loftus Road on Saturday after a nightmare first half left them two goals down and a man light. Queens Park Rangers 2 - 2 Preston North End - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report. QPR let their guard down as far as admitting the aim for the season is a top six finish at the Fans Forum on Wednesday, so all that’s needed now to cement a place there and cap a very satisfactory start is to knock over basement dwellers Preston… Kolli, Kone and about that injury list – Fans Forum
The annual QPR Fans Forum took place at Loftus Road on Wednesday night with CEO Christian Nourry, head coach Julien Stephan and captain Jimmy Dunne appearing on the panel. At least they won the sack race – Oppo Profile
It’s been a dreadful start for Saturday’s opposition Preston, who have lost six of their first seven games and become the first team in the league to change their manager after Paul Heckingbottom was dismissed in the wake of a home loss to Lincoln City. Josh McLoughlin takes us through it. Helguson double and Blackstock’s late show settle rare Sousa thriller – History
An entertaining game from Paulo Sousa’s reign as QPR manager is memorable in and of itself, but Dexter Blackstock’s late Loft End winner after a double from Heidar Helguson against Preston in December 2008 made it especially so. Newbie officiates Preston visit – Referee
Championship newbie Thomas Parsons takes charge of QPR for the first time this weekend as the R’s host struggling Preston. QPR remain unbeaten away from home and in the midst of the early play-off picture after a spirited effort to take a draw from league leaders West Brom on Saturday morning. West Bromwich Albion 1 - 1 Queens Park Rangers - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report. Despite heavy squad rotation through the opening games, QPR go to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday missing a clutch of key players through injury once more – they’re not alone in this, mind. |