Luton 3-1 Stockport County: Jack Wilshere wins first trophy as manager with Vertu Trophy triumph
Match report and highlights as Jack Wilshere's Luton beat Stockport in the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley; Emilio Lawrence and Nahki Wells scored the goals; Wilshere earns his first silverware as manager as Stockport's woes at Wembley continue
Sunday 12 April 2026 19:36, UK
Jack Wilshere landed his first honour as a manager after Luton beat Stockport 3-1 in the final of the Vertu Trophy.
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Wilshere, a two-time FA Cup winner as a player, won silverware in his debut season as a manager thanks to goals from Emilio Lawrence and Nahki Wells' double.
Wilshere's mission is to bring the good times back to the club after successive relegations have seen Luton slide from the Premier League in 2024 to 10th place in League One.
And Luton's 10th Wembley appearance provided another magical memory to rank alongside their League Cup final win against Arsenal in 1988 and Championship play-off final triumph against Coventry in 2023.
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It was another disappointing day at the home of English football for Stockport - they have won only once in seven appearances - and have not beaten Luton in 18 matches since 1968.
Stockport have also lost all three finals of the EFL Trophy, the previous two in 1992 and 1993.
Referee Martin Coy had a huge call to make when he denied Luton a second-minute penalty.
Isaiah Jones was shoved in the back by Josh Stokes and went to ground, with replays showing there was significant contact.
Stockport rode their luck to take an 11th-minute lead through Adama Sidibeh, who raced on to Odin Bailey's through ball, outpaced defender Mads Andersen and hit a shot into the ground which looped over goalkeeper James Shea.
It was Sidibeh's eighth goal for Stockport since his January move from St Johnstone and he has found the net in each of the last four games.
Luton hit back, with Stockport defender Ethan Pye heading the ball against his own upright as he tried to cut out Kal Naismith's cross.
They drew level in the 22nd minute when Jordan Clark's diagonal pass released Lawrence and the Manchester City loanee broke clear before firing a fierce, low shot through the legs of keeper Corey Addai.
And veteran striker Wells, 35, completed the turnaround when he fired Luton ahead in the 39th minute after bringing down Naismith's cross with a sublime touch before turning superbly and firing past Addai.
Luton might have added a third just before the break when Jones burst clear only for Ben Osborn to make a goal-saving last-ditch tackle.
In a second half which was nowhere near as pulsating as the opening 45 minutes, Clark went close to scoring a third for Luton which finally came in the first of 10 added minutes.
Player-of-the-match Wells latched onto Shayden Morris's cross and eluded a marker to fire home from six yards - his ninth goal of the season.
Wilshere: Winning a trophy as a manager surpasses that of a player
An emotional Wilshere admitted winning at Wembley as a manager surpasses that of a player.
He said: "I loved every single moment of my career and won trophies. To do so as a coach when you are standing on the side of the pitch as leader feels really good.
"When you are a player, you are more selfish and the main concerns are how you are physically, mentally and technically, but you are more responsible as a coach."
Wilshere praised his senior players, including Wells, for the key role they played in the success.
He was also delighted for 35-year-old Wells, who had been an injury doubt for the game.
Wilshere added: "Nahki came off with a tight groin on Monday and didn't train this week.
"We waited for him as long as possible because we wanted his experience and know-how. He is a leader and gives us energy around the place."
Meanwhile, Stockport manager Dave Challinor wants the Wembley defeat to act as motivation to cement their League One play-off place.
He said: "We want to use the disappointment as motivation on Wednesday and Saturday (away matches at AFC Wimbledon and Exeter) to be back here in eight weeks' time.
"You can bottle the emotion, win or lose. Jack will be using it to be back here, just as I will be to add fuel to our fire."
While winning the trophy would have been great, Challinor added that promotion remains the main goal.
He added: "Today was a one-off, while the play-off final is one game which dictates what has happened over nine months and that work starts in July. I wouldn't swap that."
