U21s Face Rovers! Thrills in Vertu Trophy Opener!

By: Analia Gómez Published On: 26/08/2025

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Tottenham Hotspur's Under-21s kicked off their Vertu Trophy campaign with a challenging away fixture against Bristol Rovers. The match, played on Tuesday, August 26th, promised a stern test for the young Spurs side against seasoned Football League opposition.

A Familiar Foe at the Memorial Ground

This wasn't the first encounter between the two sides in the competition. Last season saw a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Memorial Ground, with Spurs eventually triumphing 6-5 in a penalty shootout. This year, they are grouped together in Southern Group B, alongside Cheltenham Town and Plymouth Argyle, setting the stage for some competitive matches.

Early Season Form

Wayne Burnett's side has had a busy start to the season. A 5-3 victory away at Sunderland was followed by a 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace. The Vertu Trophy match against Bristol Rovers provided another opportunity for the young professionals to showcase their talent and gain valuable experience against senior players.

Bristol Rovers, known for their strong home form, presented a significant challenge. They had kept consecutive clean sheets in their previous two League Two home games, making it a tough nut to crack for the Spurs attack.

Where to Watch & Follow

Fans in the UK could catch all the action live on Sky Sports+, which is broadcasting every game in the Vertu Trophy this season. Tickets were also available through the Bristol Rovers ticketing website.

For those unable to attend or watch live, live text updates were available via Tottenham Hotspur's official website and the Spurs Official app, ensuring fans didn't miss a moment of the game.

EFL Trophy Tables and Groups

The EFL Trophy features various groups, both Northern and Southern, with Under-21 teams from Premier League clubs competing against League One and League Two sides. Tottenham Hotspur U21 participates in Southern Group B. Other notable matches on the same day included Oldham Athletic versus Manchester City U21 and Shrewsbury Town versus Chelsea U21.