by Layth Yousif
at Sixfields

PREMIER LEAGUE record-breaker Ethan Nwaneri helped Arsenal U21s to qualify from Southern Group H on Tuesday evening.

The precocious young gun who made his Gunners first team debut for Mikel Arteta’s side aged just 15 years and 181 days during a 3-0 victory over Brentford last month, came on as a substitute to help the north Londoners to a 3-1 victory at Northampton Town.

Prior to that, the Cobblers Josh Tomlinson made history of his own, when netting in the 10th minute to put the home side 1-0 ahead, becoming the youngest scorer in the club’s history at 16 years and 321 days. 

However, the Arsenal youngsters rallied to qualify from the group, with second half goals from highly rated centre back Zach Awe, Amario Cozier-Duberry and a late third from Nathan Butler-Oyedeji — to send the 308 travelling fans in front of a crowd of 3,037 at Sixfields into raptures. 

Ipswich topped the group despite losing 1-0 at the Abbey Stadium to Cambridge United, with the U’s finishing in third place and Northampton rock-bottom.

In Southern Group B, former Arsenal U21 boss Kevin Betsy led Crawley to a 5-2 win over Aston Villa U21s

In Southern Group C Will Greenidge and Freddie Potts ensured West Ham U21s won 2-1 at Cheltenham, but the young Irons were knocked out as the home side and Milton Keynes made it out of the group after MK won 2-0 at Walsall. 

Steve Evans’s Stevenage continued their excellent run of form as the League Two table toppers beat Spurs U21s 1-0 through a Jordan Roberts goal at Broadhall Way to lead Southern Group D, while Peterborough joined them despite losing to Wycombe 4-3 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw at Adams Park. 

Bristol Rovers beat Swindon 3-0 in Southern Group E, while Plymouth edged past Crystal Palace 1-0 as the Gas and Argyle both qualified. 

Southern Group F saw Forest Green ease past Exeter 4-1 and Newport beat Southampton U21s 2-1 as Rovers and County made it into the knock-out stages. 

Southern Group G saw Chelsea U21s beat Orient 3-2, while Sutton triumphed over Oxford United 2-0 as The Blues and the Gander Green Lane outfit made it through.

Everton U21s routed Hartlepool 6-0 at the Victoria Ground to top Northern Group A, through Tom Cannon’s hat-trick and a brace from Stan Mills, while Harrogate beat Morecambe 2-1. 

Bolton beat Leeds U21 3-0 in Northern Group B, while Tranmere won 1-0 at Crewe to finish second.

Port Vale beat Wolves U21 2-0 and Stockport emerged 1-0 victors over Shrewsbury in Northern Group C — which was won by the Valiants with Wolves ending in second spot. 

Accrington Stanley beat Liverpool U21s 3-2 to finish runners up in Northern Group D with the Anfield youngsters finishing in last place with zero points following three defeats. Salford won the section by beating Rochdale 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Spotland. 

Lincoln City beat Newcastle U21s 2-0 to finish top of Northern Group E with Barnsley progressing in second spot

In Northern Group F, Manchester City U21s won 3-1 at Derby with a brace from Carlos Borges. The Rams remained in second place despite a first defeat. City trail leaders Mansfield Town by two points ahead of the final game. The winner of the last game between City and Grimsby will advance to the knock-out stages. 

In Northern Group G Fleetwood drew 2-2 with Manchester United U21s, with the home side earning a second point after winning 5-4 on penalties. They still exited the competition after the Old Trafford youngsters earned a point which saw them lead the table. 

In the same group Barrow won the Cumbrian derby 2-0 to qualify 

Dino Maamria’s Burton Albion won Northern Group H after beating Bradford City 4-0, with the visitors also qualifying as runners-up.

Goals from Callum Paterson and Will Trueman sealed Sheffield Wednesday’s first win, but the Owl failed to progress despite beating Leicester City U21s 2-0, who also did not quality. 

The first knock-out is on Wednesday November 30.