Big shocks, big scores and big shirt numbers in the Checkatrade Trophy

Pitting top academy sides against Football League clubs was controversial but it gives young players invaluable experience

By Gavin Willacy for Playing in the Shadows

Few will remember it by its original title, the Associate Members Cup. Many will be familiar with its official name: the EFL Trophy. But for those of us who have seen a Leyland DAF Trophy semi-final at Tranmere, an Autoglass Trophy preliminary round group game at Rochdale, Auto Windscreens Shield ties at Millwall, and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Morecambe, the current Checkatrade Trophy is rather surreal.

Results so far this season include: Yeovil Town 4-0 West Ham, Newport County 3-0 Chelsea, and Cheltenham Town 6-2 Arsenal. Yes, these were the young reserve teams of the high and mighty, but just revel in the bizarreness for a moment.

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