Luton win Vertu Trophy as Nahki Wells double breaks Stockport hearts

• Final: Luton 2-1 Stockport

• Scorers: Lawrence, Wells (2); Sidibeh

Luton have had bigger days at Wembley, more glorious Hatters’ tea parties. They have an outside chance of returning for League One’s playoffs. If this did not match 1988’s League Cup final, Brian Stein and all that, or 2023’s promotion from the Championship, it can signpost the club’s latest road to recovery. For Jack Wilshere, six months into his managerial career, a huge moment in his second life in football, Nakhi Wells’ double securing the trophy.

This was the trophy Luton had already lost in the quarter-finals, only to be reinstated, amid Swindon manager Ian Holloway’s self-proclaimed“whoopsie” of ineligible players. County returned to the final for the first time since 1993, when losing consecutive finals under Danny Bergara, the Uruguayan after whom an Edgeley Park stand is named. Wembley continues to disappoint those with an SK postcode.