Ahead of Dale’s final Checkatrade Trophy Group match, here's a reminder of competition's format...
Group Stage
Group Matches will be of ninety minutes duration, with no extra time.
If the scores are level at the end of the group Match then each club is awarded one point. In addition, the match will be followed immediately by penalty kicks (in accordance with the procedure laid down in the IFAB Laws of the Game) and the club that wins the penalty shootout will be awarded an additional one point.
Three points are awarded for a win and none for a defeat.
If two or more clubs are equal on points on completion of the group Matches the following criteria are applied in the order given to determine their rankings:
- goal difference
- higher number of goals scored in the group Matches
- number of wins (after normal time i.e. not the result of any drawn match followed by penalties)
- the record against each other in the group Match, taking into account in order of precedence, points gained, goal difference, higher number of goals scored
- if the clubs still have an equal ranking after the application of (A) to (C), by the drawing of lots.
Round of 32
The eight winners and eight runners up of the north and south group stages qualify for the round of 32. All other Clubs are eliminated from the Competition.
The round of 32 pairings are determined by means of a draw whereby the winner of a group will be drawn at home and will play a runner up of a group from the same region (but not from the same group).
Subject to the requirement above, the League shall determine the format of, and conduct, the draw to determine the round of 32 and the allocation as home club and away club.
Matches will be of ninety minutes duration, with no extra time. If the scores are level then the Match will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark (in accordance with the procedure laid down in the IFAB Laws of the Game).
Round of 16
The 16 winners from the Round of 32 will contest the round of 16.
The round of 16 pairings are determined by means of an unseeded draw.
The Club drawn first is the Home Club.
Matches will be of ninety minutes duration, with no extra time. If the scores are level then the Match will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark (in accordance with the procedure laid down in the IFAB Laws of the Game).
Quarter Finals
The eight winners from the Round of 16 will contest the quarter-finals.
Quarter-final pairings are determined by means of an unseeded draw.
The club drawn first is the home club.
Matches will be of ninety minutes duration, with no extra time. If the scores are level then the Match will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark (in accordance with the procedure laid down in the IFAB Laws of the Game).
Semi Finals
The four winners from the quarter-finals will contest the semi-finals.
Semi-final pairings are determined by means of an unseeded draw.
The club drawn first is the home club.
Matches will be played by way of only one leg and be of ninety minutes duration. The Board can determine whether extra time will be played or not. If the scores are level at the end of the Match (whether normal time or after extra time if applicable) then the Match will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark (in accordance with the procedure laid down in the IFAB Laws of the Game).
Final
The two winners from the semi-finals will contest the final.
The final shall be played on a date and at a time to be determined by the League at Wembley Stadium, London.
The Match will be of ninety minutes duration. The Board can determine whether extra time will be played or not. If the scores are level at the end of the Match (whether normal time or after extra time if applicable) then the Match will be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark (in accordance with the procedure laid down in the IFAB Laws of the Game).