The 2025/26 Vertu Trophy kicked off this evening, with three ties getting the group stage underway.

In a thrilling opening night of the competition, the three ties saw an incredible eighteen goals between them!

The pick of the fixtures was Bristol Rovers' meeting with Tottenham Hotspur U21, with Bristol Rovers twice coming from behind, at one point from 3-0 down to draw 4-4. Penalties awaited and it was who took the spoils and kicked off their Vertu Trophy campaign with a victory.

Manchester City U21 got their campaign off to a flier in a 5-1 thrashing on the road at Oldham Athletic. Two goals each for Mahamadou Sangaré and Ashton Muir gave the visitors a dominant victory in Northern Group E.

Shrewsbury Town put their poor league form behind them in a 3-1 win over Chelsea U21, coming from behind to beat the Blues in Southern Group C.

Bristol Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur U21 play-out eight goal thriller

Bristol Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur U21 play-out eight goal thriller