John Eustace hailed Sammie Szmodics after starring in Blackburn’s Carabao Cup first round 6-1 thrashing of Stockport – but is unsure of the striker’s long-term Rovers future.Szmodics’ double, Andreas Weimann’s strike and Yuki Ohashi’s header put Rovers 4-0 up by half-time before Makhtar Gueye and Jack Vale netted afterwards, as Nathan Mapengu scored County&rsquo

Stoke boss Steven Schumacher was delighted his team successfully negotiated a “difficult test” as they saw off League Two Carlisle 2-0.It was a youthful Potters outfit that made Carabao Cup progress at Brunton Park, thanks to second-half goals from Freddie Anderson and Emre Tezgel.Schumacher, whose team defeated Coventry in their Championship opener at the weekend, said: “It was

Barrow progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup following an impressive 3-2 win over League Two rivals Port Vale at Holker Street.An outstanding curling finish from Ben Jackson in the 77th minute capped off a second-half turnaround to fire Stephen Clemence’s side into the next round where they could face a Premier League side.The Bluebirds started the game brightly and were ahead in

Boss Simon Weaver made a jubilant return to the LNER Stadium as the former Imps defender oversaw Harrogate’s 2-1 EFL Cup upset win over Lincoln.Weaver played around 100 games for City between 2002 and 2004 and was delighted to enjoy that winning feeling once more at ‘the Bank’ as Sam Folarin and James Daly produced the goods, with Jovon Makama replying with a late penalty.“

Millwall boss Neil Harris hailed his young cubs as the Lions booked their place in Carabao Cup second round for the first time in three years with a 1-0 win over Portsmouth.Homegrown talent Romain Esse, 19, impeccably slotted the only goal of the game in the 13th minute at Fratton Park.Esse, who grew up in Peckham and Bermondsey, grabbed his third goal for the club, while 18-year-old Alfie Massey

Debutant keeper Luke Southwood was the hero as Bolton survived a tense penalty shootout to beat fellow League One side Mansfield in the Carabao Cup.After the match had finished 1-1, Davis Keillor-Dunn netting a late leveller to cancel out George Thomason’s opener for the hosts, Bolton progressed 5-4 on penalties.Southwood, deputising for Nathan Baxter, saved a sudden-death spot-kick from Wil

Debutant goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina was the hero as Barnsley reached the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out triumph away to Wigan.After a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, summer signing Slonina saved spot-kicks from Josh Stones and Thelo Aasgaard to see the visitors progress in an all-League One encounter.Aasgaard had slotted home from 12 yards out just after the half-hour mark to

Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens praised his side’s convincing display to brush aside Newport 4-1 and reach the Carabao Cup second round.Goals by Dan Agyei and Diallang Jaiyesimi gave Orient a half-time lead before Brandon Cooper and Charlie Kelman scored after the break to secure a comprehensive 4-1 win – with James Clarke giving Newport a consolation goal.“It was a posit

Rotherham manager Steve Evans was pleased with his side’s response after they came from behind to beat Crewe 2-1 and reach the second round of the Carabao Cup.Matus Holicek gave Alexandra the lead in the second half when he latched onto a poor clearance from Alex MacDonald and curled beyond Cameron Dawson.Rotherham levelled five minutes later with Sam Nombe heading in after Joe Powell had st

Crawley withstood a second-half Swindon fightback to clinch a 4-2 Carabao Cup victory.Swindon scored twice in the space of six minutes and also missed a penalty midway through the second half but a second from Jack Roles and another by Rafiq Khaleel gave the hosts victory.Crawley broke the deadlock after 34 minutes when Roles found Ade Adeyemo and his low shot squirmed under the body of goalkeeper