The competition is universally unpopular, and the addition of academy sides from the Premier League and Championship has done little to widen its appeal.
Attendances are often less than a thousand but, bizarrely, from the third round stage the draw will be made on a national basis.
The group stage was designed to keep travel to a minimum for fans, but from the third round onwards, games such as Carlisle v Plymouth become a possibility.
With the Priestfield out of action, Gillingham will stage their match against Tottenham Under-23s at The Valley on Tuesday. It has been reported that the Gills have only sold 54 tickets for the fixture. A new record low attendance at The Valley looks assured.
Lee Bowyer will use the game at the Lamex to give fringe players such as Nicky Ajose, Igor Vetokele, Mark Marshall, Albie Morgan and Dillon Phillips some game time.
With no game on Saturday due to the international break, Bowyer may be tempted to play one or two of his senior players, but the defence is likely to be assembled from Jason Euell’s Under-23 side.
No manager likes to lose a game, but few will shed any tears if their club is eliminated from the Checkatrade Trophy.