As a category three club we go into the competition in the first qualifying round and we'll go toe to toe at home against the Latics with the game scheduled for Turf Moor on Tuesday 8th October with a 7 p.m. kick off. The game will be open to supporters to attend. Should we get through that round then we'll travel to Gresty Road to face Crewe in the second qualifying round.
The competition is a straight knock out and the ties will be on a regional basis until it reaches the last 16 clubs, after which it becomes a national draw. One boost is that all games must be played in the club's home stadiums.
The rules are as per the under-21 leagues in that clubs can field an overage goalkeeper and three overage outfield players.
We are one of 16 category three clubs who will play in the first qualifying round. The winners will then go into the second qualifying round along with 17 category two clubs (one club will receive a bye). See below for the two draws.
In the following round those clubs who have got through will be joined by the 19 category one academy clubs in what will be the final regional round, after which the 16 successful clubs will go through to the national knock out.
The clubs taking part in the competition, and the rounds in which they enter, are shown below.
CATEGORY 3
NORTH: BURNLEY, DONCASTER, HULL, NOTTS COUNTY, PRESTON, WIGAN
SOUTH: BOURNEMOUTH, BRISTOL ROVERS, COLCHESTER, EXETER, GILLINGHAM, PETERBOROUGH. PLYMOUTH, TORQUAY, WATFORD, WIMBLEDON
CATEGORY 2
NORTH: BARNSLEY, BIRMINGHAM, COVENTRY, CREWE, DERBY, HUDDERSFIELD, LEEDS, NOTTINGHAM FOREST, SHEFFIELD UNITED, SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
SOUTH: BRIGHTON, BRISTOL CITY, CARDIFF, CRYSTAL PALACE, MILLWALL, QPR, SWANSEA
CATEGORY 1
NORTH: BLACKBURN, BOLTON, EVERTON, LEICESTER, MANCHESTER CITY, MIDDLESBROUGH, NEWCASTLE, STOKE, SUNDERLAND, WEST BROM, WOLVES
SOUTH: ARSENAL, ASTON VILLA, CHELSEA, FULHAM, NORWICH, READING, SOUTHAMPTON, WEST HAM
The tie has been added to our Development Squad fixtures.
The qualyfing round draws
First Qualifying Round (to be played in w/c 23rd September or within two weeks)
North
BURNLEY v WIGAN
PRESTON v HULL
DONCASTER v NOTTS COUNTY
South:
BOURNEMOUTH v PLYMOUTH
PETERBOROUGH v COLCHESTER
WIMBLEDON v GILLINGHAM
WATFORD v BRISTOL ROVERS
EXETER v TORQUAY
Second Qualifying Round (to be played in w/c 21st October)
North:
CREWE v BURNLEY or WIGAN
DERBY v PRESTON or HULL
COVENTRY v DONCASTER or NOTTS COUNTY
SHEFFIELD UNITED v BIRMINGHAM
BARNSLEY v LEEDS
HUDDERSFIELD v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Bye: NOTTINGHAM FOREST
South:
QPR v WIMBLEDON or GILLINGHAM
BOURNEMOUTH or PLYMOUTH v WATFORD or BRISTOL ROVERS
SWANSEA v MILLWALL
CRYSTAL PALACE v EXETER or TORQUAY
BRIGHTON v CARDIFF