Group stage • Sixteen groups of 4 teams will be organised on a regionalised basis. • All groups will include one invited club. • All clubs will play each other once, either home or away (Academies play all group matches away from home). • Clubs will be awarded 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. • In the event of a drawn game (after 90 minutes), a penalty shootout will be held with the winning team earning an additional point. • The top two teams will progress to the Knockout Stage.
Northern Section Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E Group F Group G Group H Southern Section Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E Group F Group G Group H Knockout stage If scores are level after 90 minutes in Rounds 2, 3 and 4, the game will be determined by the taking of
penalties.
Round 2 The Round 2 draw was made on 10 November 2017. The 32 remaining teams were drawn into 16 ties; each group winner will be at home to a runner-up from a different group within their own region.
Northern Section Southern Section Round 3 The Round 3 draw was made on 8 December 2017.
Northern Section Southern Section Round 4 Eight teams participated in this round with ties originally scheduled to take place in the week commencing 22 January 2018.
Semi-finals Four teams participated in this round, which consisted of single ties played at the stadium of the club drawn first in each tie.
Final ==Match proceeds==