The road to Wembley opens up to leagues 1 and 2

The 2008/09 season is now in full swing after the first round draw of Johnstone's Paint Trophy took place live on Soccer AM on Saturday, 16th August 2008.

18 Aug 2008

Sixteen lucky clubs have been awarded byes in a pre-draw for the first round, with the remaining 32 League 1 and 2 clubs going into the hat for the televised draw.

Aldershot, back in the Football League competition after a 16-year absence, entertains Swindon, while Exeter host Shrewsbury and Leeds obtain Bradford.

Elsewhere, there are League 1 clashes to look forward to between Millwall and Colchester, Northampton vs. Brighton and Southend vs. Leyton Orient.

League Two’s Grimsby FC, defeated by Paul Ince’s Mk Dons in last season’s final will now begin their quest to reach the Wembley final once again with their first match against Chesterfield.

And watch out for Leicester City who will start their first campaign in the competition at Hartlepool. Playing in the third tier for the first time in their clubs history, they make their debut in the competition's Northern section.

Ties will be played week commencing 1st September 2008.

Northern Section First Round: Oldham v Morecambe, Crewe v Macclesfield, Stockport v Port Vale, Tranmere v Accrington Stanley, Chesterfield v Grimsby, Scunthorpe v Notts County, Leeds v Bradford, Hartlepool v Leicester

Southern Section First Round: Bournemouth v Bristol Rovers, Brentford v Yeovil, Exeter v Shrewsbury, Aldershot v Swindon, Millwall v Colchester, Northampton v Brighton, Southend v Leyton Orient, Dagenham & Redbridge v Barnet

Don’t miss a draw of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this season:

Round 2 – Sat 6th Sept 08

AQF – Sat 11th Oct 08

ASF – Sat 8th Nov 08

AF – Wed 17th Dec 08