Leeds looking to march on in the trophy

Leeds enter the second round of this year’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy looking to improve on their record over previous seasons. Having received a bye in the first round, Simon Grayson’s side welcome League Two strugglers Darlington to Elland Road with a place in the Northern Section quarter-finals at stake.

October 2009

Since their relegation to League One in 2007, Leeds have been put out by Bury and Rotherham respectively.

Grayson and his charges may understandably admit promotion back to the Championship is their main priority but you would be hard pushed to find a Leeds fan who would not want some more silverware in the trophy cabinet and a trip to the national stadium on March 28.

Elsewhere, the pick of the northern section sees League Two heavyweights Bradford and Notts County come together at Valley Parade while Chesterfield against Huddersfield is sure to provide an entertaining encounter.

Providing the competition’s main threat alongside Leeds will be fellow League One high-flyers Charlton, who enter for the first time since 1991. Similar to the Yorkshire outfit, the Addicks

have endured a slippery slide down the leagues during recent years but the Johnstone’s Paint

Trophy will give them a great chance to put some smiles back on the faces of their fans. Barnet are the visitors at The Valley, however, and their impressive start to the season will give Ian Hendon and his charges plenty of optimism as they go in search of a cup upset.

Fellow League One giants Southampton welcome Football League newcomers Torquay to St Mary’s looking for their first trophy of any kind since 1976. Paul Ince won the competition the last time he

was in charge of MK Dons and he would love a repeat of the club’s 2007/08 success but to do

so they will first have to see off Southend. Elsewhere in the Southern Section, Norwich travel to Gillingham, Swindon host Exeter and Bournemouth go to Northampton.