Barnet host Peterborough United in their final EFL Checkatrade Trophy at The Hive this evening in what is the inaugural year of the competition.
The Bees drew 2-2 at MK Dons in their first group match to earn a point. However, under the competition’s rules a penalty shootout took place for an extra point. The Dons won from the spot.
Martin Allen’s men were then beaten 5-0 by Norwich City’s Under-21s in their second match, a defeat which saw them exit the competition at the group stage.
Ahead of tonight’s finale, which sees EFL League One side Peterborough visit, here are the important rules you need to know.
The groups:
- There are 16 groups of four, divided into a northern and southern section (eight each).
- Each group is comprised of one invited club from the Premier League or Championship and three EFL League One or League Two teams.
- Each team plays the other sides in their group once with the invited teams playing just one home fixture.
The match:
- Three points are awarded for a win in 90 minutes and none for a defeat.
- A draw results in a point each with the game going straight to a penalty shootout; the winner earns a bonus point.
- All group winners and runners-up go into the round of 32.
Team selection:
- EFL teams must field a minimum of five ‘first-team’ players in their starting XI.
- ‘First-team’ players are those who played in the club’s last match, their next match, or the top five appearance makers at the club.
- Invited clubs must name six players aged under 21 of of June 30.
- No player can play for more than one club in the season.
Discipline:
- Bookings and sending offs do not apply to any competition other than the Checkatrade Trophy – meaning Bondz N’Gala is suspended for tonight’s game after being sent off in the second game.
This means bookings and suspensions picked up in other competitions do not affect Checkatrade Trophy matches either. - Two bookings up to and including the quarter-finals mean a one-match suspension for the player in question.
