2008–09 Football League Trophy

The 2008–09 Football League Trophy, known as the 2008–09 Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is the 28th Football League Trophy, a knockout competition for English football clubs in Leagues One and Two, the third and fourth tiers of English football. Luton Town won the competition, beating Scunthorpe United 3–2 after extra time in the final. However, Luton were unable to defend their trophy as they were relegated from the Football League at the end of the season.

2008–09 Football League Trophy
Tournament details
Country England
 Wales
Teams48
Defending championsMK Dons
Final positions
ChampionsLuton Town
Runner-upScunthorpe United

The format was the same as that which had been used since 1996, with four first round regions; North-West, North-East, South-West and South-East and a two-region format from the second round; North and South. The resulting regional winners then meet in the final.

First round

edit

The First Round draw was conducted on 16 August 2008. The teams to be granted byes to the Second Round were drawn first, with the remaining teams drawn for the First Round ties. The First Round matches were played in the week commencing 1 September 2008.

First round byes

edit

Second round

edit

The Second Round draw was conducted on 6 September 2008, with matches played in the week commencing 6 October 2008.

Area quarter-finals

edit

The draw for the area quarter-finals was conducted on 11 October 2008. The matches were played in the week commencing 3 November 2008, with the exception of the match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Swindon Town, which was played on 12 November 2008.

Area semi-finals

edit

The draw for the area semi-finals was conducted on 8 November 2008, and matches were played in the week commencing 15 December 2008.

Area finals

edit

The area finals, which serve as the semi-finals for the entire competition, are contested over two legs, home and away. The first legs were played on 20 January 2009; the second legs were played on 17 February 2009.

Northern Section

edit
Scunthorpe United2–0Rotherham United
Woolford   60'
Pearce   67'
Report

Rotherham United0–1Scunthorpe United
Report Hooper   74'

Scunthorpe United won 3–0 on aggregate.

Southern Section

edit

Luton Town1–1Brighton & Hove Albion
Craddock   1' Report Forster   20'
Penalties
Martin  
Craddock  
Hall  
Charles  
4–3   Forster
  Virgo
  Elphick
  Jarrett
  Birchall
Attendance: 8,711
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex)

Brighton & Hove Albion 1–1 Luton Town on aggregate. Luton Town won 4–3 on penalties.

Luton Town3–2 (a.e.t.)Scunthorpe United
Martin   32'
Craddock   70'
Gnakpa   95'
Report Hooper   14'
McCann   88'
Attendance: 55,378
Referee: Phil Crossley (Kent)
edit