The campaign started for both teams with home ties in August. Seven matches later, Coventry City and Oxford United are heading to Wembley.
Here's how they respectively navigated their way to the Checkatrade Trophy Final:Group Stage:
Oxford United got off to a flyer with a 4-2 victory over Exeter City at the Kassam Stadum. Tyler Roberts scored the pick of the goals.
#CheckatradeTrophy Road to Wembley - Group Stage:
— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) March 29, 2017
Tyler Roberts fired home a beauty for @OUFCOfficial in a 4-2 win over @OfficialECFC. đź’Ą pic.twitter.com/7Qd2Yf19Lv
It was a 4-2 scoreline for Coventry too. Their win came against West Ham United Under-21s, and Ruben Lameiras' was the goal to stand out.
#CheckatradeTrophy Road to Wembley - Group Stage: @RubenLameiras netted for @Coventry_City in their 4-2 win over @WestHamUtd U21s. đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/fKEYkDUXuF
— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) March 29, 2017
Round Two:
Two penalty shoot-out losses followed for the U's after their opening win, but it was enough to see them through, and it was third-time lucky for Michael Appleton's men as they overcame Southend United from 12 yards out in Round Two.
#CheckatradeTrophy Road to Wembley - Round Two:
— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) March 29, 2017
Chris Maguire scored this, but @OUFCOfficial needed penalties to defeat @SUFCRootsHall. pic.twitter.com/mpv2tCtbA9
The Sky Blues saw off the challenge of Crawley Town at the Ricoh to progress into the last 16. The victory came thanks to a seldom goal from Marvin Sordell.
#CheckatradeTrophy Road to Wembley - Round Two:@MarvinSordell scored the only goal of the game as @Coventry_City saw off @crawleytown. pic.twitter.com/QXMl0fRZeE
— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) March 29, 2017
Round Three:
Oxford went behind early on in their tie with Scunthorpe United, but an equaliser from Marvin Johnson got them back into the game. It was then time for Kane Hemmings to step up - the front man went on to score a hat-trick and the U's won 4-1.
#CheckatradeTrophy Road to Wembley - Round Three: @kane_h10 hit a hat-trick for @OUFCOfficial as they beat @SUFCOfficial 4-1. pic.twitter.com/qHZJ9F8grr
— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) March 29, 2017
On the same night, Coventry also recorded an impressive win. The Sky Blues defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0 and Ryan Haynes netted the pick of the goals.
#CheckatradeTrophy Road to Wembley - Round Three:@RyanHaynes1995's solo effort sealed a 3-0 @Coventry_City win over @OfficialBHAFC U21s. pic.twitter.com/1ZzVcidRGI
— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) March 29, 2017
Quarter-Final:
Marvin Johnson has certainly enjoyed the Checkatrade Trophy this season - he nestled a beauty into the top corner in Oxford's Quarter-Final win over Bradford City.
#CheckatradeTrophy Road to Wembley - Quarter-Final:
— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) March 29, 2017
Marvin Johnson scored a belter as @OUFCOfficial triumphed over @officialbantams. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/WxXrjDXkBi
Coventry City were taken to a penalty shoot-out by Swansea City Under-21s, but heroics from Reice Charles-Cook and nerves of steel from Lameiras meant they were heading through.
#CheckatradeTrophy Road to Wembley - Quarter-Final:@MrReiceCook & @RubenLameiras saw @Coventry_City through on pens vs @SwansOfficial U21. pic.twitter.com/5HUX8RPAmL
— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) March 29, 2017
Semi-Final:
Yet again Marvin Johnson was the man Oxford looked to when they needed a moment of brilliance, and he duly delivered. His late goal ensured Michael Appleton and his squad were heading to Wembley.
#CheckatradeTrophy Road to Wembley - Semi-Final:
— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) March 29, 2017
More Marvin Johnson magic saw @OUFCOfficial beat @LutonTown & book their place at Wembley. pic.twitter.com/ucgD44zUNz
Two goals in the opening 20 minutes proved enough for Coventry City as they defeated Wycombe Wanderers 2-1.
#CheckatradeTrophy Road to Wembley - Semi-Final:
— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) March 29, 2017
Stuart Beavon scored the opener against @wwfcofficial as @Coventry_City won 2-0. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/bjXdAj0ZdQ
Next stop, Wembley...