Yesterday evening the draw for this season’s EFL Trophy semi finals were made and which ever way you look at it, with Chelsea’s Under 23 side being involved, history has been made.
The draw took place on sky Sports’ EFL Matters programme on the evening of Thursday January 25 and was held approximately at 7.15pm.
The show was hosted by presenter David Prutton and he was joined by pundit Don Goodman and Wycombe Wanderers midfielder Sam Saunders.
The semi final ties are a straight home/away basis with no seeding or regionalisation.
Further details about the semi final draws will be released following this weekend’s FA Cup action and the semi finals will be one leg affairs.
The first semi draw was Lincoln City against Chelsea’s Under 23 and that will take place on Tuesday February 6 with a 7.45pm kick off at Sincil Bank.
The second semi out of the hat put Shrewsbury Town against Yeovil Town or Fleetwood Town on Tuesday February 27, with the game also carrying a 7.45pm kick off.
The final quarter final tie will take place on Tuesday February 6 when Yeovil Town host Fleetwood Town and then Shrewsbury will know their opponents.
Both semi final affairs will be broadcast live by Sky Sports.
Following the changes to the Trophy format and the introduction of Under 23 Category 1 sides to the competition, this is the first time an Under 23 side has made it this far – so whilst congratulations to their youngsters as Chelsea have honoured the spirit of the competition compared to others, there will still be League 1 and League 2 clubs out there who feel aggrieved.
The final will be held at Wembley Stadium on Sunday April 8.
