Soccer: New format for Worthington Cup

Next season's Worthington Cup will be revamped resulting in one-off ties in the opening two rounds, rather than the traditional two-legged format.

The move would leave only the semi finals to be played over two legs.

The Football League confirmed that clubs from Divisions One and Two are in favour of the idea, though Third Division hold an opposite view.

They see the second round as one of a rare opportunity to play a Premiership club at home, as the draw has traditionally been seeded.

Andy Williamson, the Football League's Director of Football Competitions, said: "Both the First and Second Divisions supported the discontinuation of two legs, although Division Three felt that the current format should be maintained.

"However, in view of that fact that a significant majority of clubs accepted the Board's recommendation to streamline the competition during its early stages, I confirm that it is intended to make the first and second rounds single ties only with effect from next season.

"Semi-finals will remain as two-legged affairs."