Newcastle and Palace Under-21s Through as Cambridge Top Their Group

Newcastle United Under-21s and Crystal Palace Under-21s have both reached the knockout stages of the Jersey Mike's Trophy, the cup competition also known as the EFL Trophy. The top two teams in each group go through, and the final is played at Wembley Stadium.

Newcastle's route was a 1-0 win at Rotherham United in Northern Group C. Kyran Thompson scored the only goal, and Rotherham are out of the competition. Newcastle will progress alongside group leaders Bradford City. Their campaign had started in September with a 3-1 comeback win at York City, which is the kind of opening that makes a group feel like a race from the first whistle.

Palace needed a win at Newport County to make sure of their place, and they got one. David Angibeaud scored the winner in a 2-1 victory in Southern Group E. Palace's match was played at Rodney Parade, and Darren Powell was in charge of the side. They will go through alongside Plymouth Argyle.

The biggest result of the night came in Southern Group G. Cambridge United beat Brighton and Hove Albion Under-21s 6-0. The game turned early when Brighton player Ben Barclay, aged 30, was sent off in the first half for deliberate handball, meaning he used his hand to stop the ball on purpose. Isaac Heath scored a penalty, and Callum Stead scored twice. Cambridge have won all three of their group games and top the table. Brighton's hopes of reaching the knockout stages are over.

In Northern Group H, Doncaster Rovers beat Rochdale 4-1. That result ended the campaigns of Rochdale and Liverpool Under-21s, who were both eliminated from the group.

For the teams still in contention, the knockout places are the prize. For the young players, a cup run in front of a few thousand fans on a cold November night is often the first taste of a real atmosphere, and plenty of them will remember the nights they lost as clearly as the ones they won. The rounds ahead will be played on the same simple terms: win, and you go on.