Leicester and Brentford U21 into trophy knockout stage

What the report says

Brentford U21 and Leicester City both secured places in the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy after winning their final group matches, according to BBC Sport Football. Brentford U21 edged Crawley Town 2-1 in Southern Group H at Broadfield Stadium, with Domeiro Bobb-Semple scoring twice. Crawley, who sit at the bottom of League Two, had briefly levelled through Connor Wickham on his debut, but Brentford’s result was enough to advance.

Leicester progressed from Southern Group B after coming from behind to beat Walsall 2-1 at the King Power Stadium. Walsall, another League Two side, would have qualified with a win, but Leicester responded through goals from Will Smallbone and John Lundstram before halftime and then held on. Stevenage finished top of that group after a penalty shootout win over Fulham U21.

The BBC report also noted several other qualification outcomes across the competition. Nottingham Forest U21 and Notts County advanced in the northern sections, while Gillingham, Plymouth Argyle, Colchester United, Stockport County and Huddersfield Town were among the other sides to move on or finish top of their groups. The EFL Trophy features both senior clubs from the English Football League and invited academy teams, and the group stage results determine who reaches the last 16.