Town’s U21s play their inaugural National League Cup fixture this evening when they face Braintree Town in their opening group game at Cressing Road (KO 7.30pm).

The Blues’ second string is entering the competition for the first time having been invited to take part after finishing fifth in Premier League 2 last season, the first at category one level.

U21s teams play all their fixtures away in the competition with another trip to Essex, to Hornchurch, following on Tuesday 8th September for their second group match.

John McGreal’s side is then away at Worthing on Tuesday 13th October, then Aldershot Town on Tuesday 3rd November.

This evening’s match is being shown live for free on NL+, the National League’s streaming service.

A Town XI beat National League South Braintree 2-1 in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly at the end of last month.

Photo: TWTD