Gillingham to play Brighton & Hove Albion's under-21s in the Papa John's Trophy first round group stage
11:30, 23 June 2022
updated: 11:51, 23 June 2022
Gillingham will host Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-21 side in this season’s Papa John’s Trophy.
The Premier League side’s youngsters were drawn against the Gills on Thursday and go into Group A of the southern section.
The four-team group is completed by League 1 Charlton Athletic and League 2 Colchester United.
Teams play each other once, with invited teams playing their games away from home.
Brighton - who once played at Priestfield - were one of eight under-21 teams that could have been drawn into Gills’ group.
Last season the Gills finished bottom of their qualifying group, beating Colchester United in their opening game but losing to Ipswich Town and West Ham under-21s.
The Gills did, however, pick up the £10,000 prize money from the West Ham game after they were penalised for furling an ineligible player.
Games are played in the weeks of August 29, September 19 and October 17.