Stockport County will face Luton Town in the 2026 Vertu Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium after both secured victory by a single goal in their respective semi-finals.
Stockport picked up a 1-0 win on the road at Doncaster Rovers in the opening semi-final, with Luton Town then edging past Northampton Town 2-1 in the second.
Stockport will now look to secure victory in the competition for the first time having been beaten finalists in both 1992 and 1993, whilst Luton will be seeking a second win having beaten Scunthorpe United 3-2 in 2009 – a rare highlight in a season where points deducted for financial issues saw the Hatters relegated from the English Football League.
Success for promotion-chasing Stockport marked a return to form after back-to-back defeats in League One, with Oliver Norwood’s early free kick proving to be enough to see off a Doncaster side fighting to avoid the drop down to League Two.
Home ‘keeper Zander Clark prevented Stockport from adding to their tally with a number of saves but Rovers were unable to find a way through at the other end to force extra time.
The second semi-final was played out in front of the biggest crowd in the competition so far this season, with Northampton grabbing a first half lead at Kenilworth Road thanks to Kyle McAdam.
However, the League One strugglers were pegged back by Luton shortly after half-time when Nakhi Wells equalised for the team led by former England international Jack Wilshere.
Liam Walsh then scored his first goal for the club to send Luton back to Wembley for the first time since the 2023 Championship play-off final – where victory against Coventry City secured a place in the Premier League.
The Vertu Trophy Final will take place at Wembley on 12 April.
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