Bristol City clinched the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a comfortable 2-0 win over Walsall in this afternoon's final at Wembley.
Aden Flint headed the League One leaders - who boast a 37-point lead over the Saddlers in England's third tier - into a 1-0 half-time lead.
Mark Little then added a second in fortuitous circumstances on 51 minutes as the Robins became the first team to win the competition on three occasions.
Relive Sports Mole's live text commentary of the action below.
2.32pmMassive thanks to Liverpool and Manchester United for filling the undercard, but it's time for the main event of this sporting Sunday as Bristol City and Walsall contest the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Wembley. I'm Shane and I'll bring you all of the action as runaway League One leaders City look to clinch the first part of a potential double this afternoon. Let's go!
2.35pmNow I know what you're thinking: "surely Barcelona vs. Real Madrid is the main event today?" and the answer is no; that is a bi-annual Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo bout in which the other players involved try to get one another sent off by cheating. In the immortal words of Sweet Brown, ain't nobody got time for that. Give me Tom Bradshaw and Jay-Emmanuel Thomas any day of the week.
2.37pmThat being said, let's see if both hitmen start for their respective teams this afternoon with a bit of team news, shall we? Why not, but considering it's a Beautiful Day, and U2 probably celebrated St Patrick's Day this week, let's whet the appetite with a good song about beautiful days before we get into team news. See you soon.
2.40pmBRISTOL CITY XI: Fielding; Little, Ayling, Flint, Williams, Bryan; K.Smith, Pack, Freeman; Agard, Wilbraham
2.41pmWALSALL XI: O'Donnell; Purkis, Taylor, Downing, Adam Chambers, Mantom, Bradshaw, Sawyers, James Chambers, Cook, Forde
2.42pmBRISTOL CITY SUBS: Richards, Cunningham, Tavernier, Saville, Elliott, Wagstaff, Emmanuel-Thomas
2.43pmWALSALL SUBS: O'Connor, Baxendale, Cain, Flanagan, Grimes, Hiwula, MacGillivray
2.46pmRight, let's begin with Bristol, who are the home team this afternoon, and Mr Steve Cotterill makes two changes from the 3-0 win over Crewe on Tuesday night. Derrick Williams comes into the defence to replace Greg Cunningham, while Kieran Agard replaces big Jay Emmanuel-Thomas up top. Cotterill keeping it simple it seems.
2.49pmOn to the Saddlers now and Mr Dean Smith makes three changes to his side from Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. First, Andy Taylor and James Chambers return in defence to replace James O'Connor and Malvind Benning, while leading goalscorer Tom Bradshaw also comes back in after missing the visit of Sheffield United to spearhead the attack. And that's your lot!
2.52pmWe briefly touched on it in the intro, but this is arguably the biggest game in Walsall's 127-year history, my friends! It's their first-ever visit to Wembley. It's a massive day for them.
2.54pmBut while Walsall have, eh, no memories of being at Wembley, Bristol have a few demons to exorcise this afternoon from their last trip to this beautiful stadium. You may remember Dean Windass's volley in the Championship playoff final back in 2008 which ultimately denied Bristol promotion into the Premier League. Here's our Dean with a quick reminder:
2.56pmThat goal was particularly memorable for me; not because I support Hull, but because my knee locked after twisting it in a football match that afternoon, and I was stranded on the couch all night with no remote for the telly, meaning I had to endure hour after hour of Sky News and watching that goal over and over again. The goal probably brings back more painful memories for me than Robins fans - they've only seen it once!
3.00pmAnother man who knows all about Wembley heartache is Walsall boss Dean Smith, having played in Leyton Orient's 1-0 Third Division playoff final defeat to Scunthorpe in 1999, and the 44-year-old manager has told his troops to learn from his mistakes. He told reporters: "Playing there I learnt an awful lot that day, I didn't enjoy the experience because we lost but a play-off final is different as your whole season culminates in one game. We didn't start well and were 1-0 down by the time we settled. That's what I'll be telling the players: be relaxed, go and enjoy the experience, savour it. These opportunities don't come around often."
3.02pmBut how did both sides come to be at Wembley on this beautiful day? Link my arm as we stroll down memory lane together my friends.
3.05pmThe Saddlers received a buy in the first round before edging out Rochdale 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals. There, another 1-0 win, courtesy of a Romaine Sawyers strike, proved enough to down Sheffield United, before Smith and co drew 2-2 with Tranmere and progressed with a 5-4 penalty-shootout win. Suddenly they're only in the Northern Area final, where they beat Preston North End 2-0 over two legs to reach Wembley and here we are!
3.08pmWhat about The Robins? Okay link my arm again then. Having also received a buy in the first round, Cotterill's side disposed of Cheltenham, AFC Wimbledon and Coventry en route to the Southern Area final, where they beat Gillingham 5-3 over both legs. Believe it or not, but Matt Smith scored all FIVE goals in the tie, but Bristol can't call on him this afternoon because he's gone back to parent club Fulham.
3.11pmConsidering Smith isn't available, who can Bristol - who won the competition in 1986 and 2003 - look to for a bit of inspiration in their pursuit of a third title then? Well Steve Cotterill certainly has an abundance of goalscorers, with the trident of Aaron Wilbraham, Kieran Agard and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas producing no fewer than 37 goals this season, with Wilbraham netting 17 of those.
3.15pmAnd what about Walsall? It has to be Bradshaw, doesn't it? With 16 goals, the 22-year-old hitman is comfortably the Saddlers' danger man this afternoon, considering he is 11 clear of their second highest scorer this season Anthony Forde. Bradshaw hasn't been in the best of form, however, and scored in the 1-1 draw with MK Dons last Saturday to end a SEVEN-game goal drought. This is how Walsall fans will react
3.18pmRight, we're about 12 minutes from kickoff, my friends, so let's a bit of a prediction shall we? I've been over to the bookies already and staked €5 on Bristol 3-1 @ 13/1. I think, considering they're 37 points ahead of Walsall in League One, the Saddlers have it all to do and their underdog label will only get them so far. I'm the worst gambler in the history of that bookies, though, which should illustrate how I don't often get things right so who knows! 12 minutes to go.
3.20pmThe very ravishing Natalie Sawyer and the very Irish Keith Andrews do a bit of work for Sky Sports pitchside as a number of cheerleaders do their thang on the field before kickoff. I was going to say this one had a real Cup final feel to it, but that's obvious.
3.24pmIncidentally, it's just finished 2-1 to Manchester United in this afternoon's appetiser at Anfield, with a brace from Juan Mata giving United the win in a game that saw Steven Gerrard sent off at the very start of the second half. On to more pressing matters now and the Walsall and Bristol City players enter the field!
3.26pmWheelchair-bound cerebral palsy sufferer Oskar Pycroft leads out Bristol. The Robins' staff and fans have raised £45,000 of the £50,000 needed for Oskar to walk independently, with some 50 fans trekking from Bristol to Wembley in order to raise further funds. Fair play to them.
3.29pmRight, we've had the national anthem and we're just minutes away now. Let's go!
1 minKICKOFF: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we're underway. Bristol, playing in their usual red kit, kick us off. Can they become the first team to win the competition three times, or will Walsall reign supreme on the biggest day in their 127-year history? We'll know in a few hours.
3 minQuite a nervy start as both sides make a few wayward passes in these early stages, but that's to be expected isn't it? In front of a 70,000-strong crowd, nerves are inevitable.
5 minCLOSE! This isn't far away at all as Bristol draw first blood in the shot stakes, as Luke Freeman expertly turns his marker before taking aim from just outside the area and watching his fierce drive sail narrowly over. Good effort.
7 minSHOT! Bristol City growing more dangerous by the minute as Kieran Agard does brilliantly to set up Marlon Pack, whose deflected effort went wide and the corner came to nothing. The pre-match favourites have justified that tag thus far because they look menacing.
11 minWalsall weather the dodgy start and look far more comfortable in possession now than they did in the early stages, but they've still got such a big ask, considering they're effective facing a Championship side here, with Bristol almost guaranteed to win automatic promotion.
15 minGOAL!!!!!!!!!!!! BRISTOL CITY 1-0 WALSALL (ADEN FLINT)
16 minThe pre-match favourites take an early lead through centre-back Aden Flint, who rises above James Chambers to nod home Luke Freeman's corner to give Bristol City an early lead! Credit to right-back Mark Little, who won the first corner in that passage of play. There's 40,000 delighted fans here.
18 minYou would've thought that Walall boss Dean Smith would've put extra emphasis on combating the 6'5 defender, who only has 11 goals this season, from set pieces but seemingly not. Could that prove a fatal mistake?
20 minCHANCE! This has to go down as a chance for shell-shocked Walsall, as Jordan Cook heads over the bar from a really position. Disappointing finish.
21 minCHANCE! The Robins go straight down the other end as the plucky Kieran Agard makes a mug of Paul Downing before running through on goal at an angle, but James Chambers produced a last-ditch tackle to take the sting out of Agard's shot. Huge intervention.
24 minWalsall coming back into the game a little more as Dean Smith's men grow slightly more confident in Bristol's final third. They don't look as nervy as they did early on, which is good for the neutral because it boosts the chance of throwing up a two-sided game.
27 minSHOT! Walsall continue improving and this isn't far away at all from Ben Purkiss, who produces a superb outside-of-the-boot strike that sails just over Frank Fielding's crossbar.
29 minCHANCE! Mark Little is running riot down Walsall's left side, as the right-back floats a wonderful cross into the area for 17-goal Aaron Wilbraham to head over the crossbar. It's definitely a chance but he would've done well to score.
31 minWe've seen our first sight of Wilbraham, but what about Walsall's danger man Tom Bradshaw? We've seen very little of the 22-year-old thus far unfortunately for the Saddlers. 30 minutes in and the final is passing him by somewhat.
34 minSHOT! Walsall still threaten an equaliser in terms of shots, but this one wasn't close at all as fit-again Sam Mantom takes aim and watches his long-range effort trickle near the corner flag. Maybe he's getting ready for The Masters?
36 minSlightly ominous stat for a Walsall perspective, and it's been SIX years since a team came from behind to win the Football League Trophy - Luton Town in 2009. It doesn't bode well.
39 minWALSALL BOOKING: Romaine Sawyers becomes the first player booked for a foul on Mark Little. Looked a little harsh, but I'm not the ref so my opinion doesn't matter much sadly.
42 minCLOSE!!!!! Forget goal of the season, this would've been goal of the century, as Andy Taylor expertly volleys just past the far post from well outside the box. Superb technique and, well, it was a shame it didn't go in.
44 minOne minute left until the break then and, as it stands, Bristol City are going to win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Credit to Walsall though because Dean Smith's side have come back into this really well.
4.18pmHALFTIME: BRISTOL CITY 1-0 WALSALL
4.21pmBristol City are halfway to history, my friends, as Aden Flint's heads the two-time champions into a 1-0 half-time lead and, should it stay like this, the Robins would become the first team to win the Johnstone's Paint Trophy three times!
4.23pmWe can't rule out a Walsall comeback, though. Having started the game quite nervously and conceded after just 15 minutes, Dean Smith's side have arguably been the better team since then, but they're struggling to a) get top goalscorer Tom Bradshaw into the game and b) break down Bristol's stubborn defensive line.
4.26pm
Aden Flint celebrates scoring the opening goal for @bcfctweets here at Wembley #JPTFinal pic.twitter.com/06n6NYjx8u
— JPT (@JP_Trophy) March 22, 201546 minRESTART: Right, the players are back out on the field ahead of the second half. Will Bristol hang on to their lead for a record-breaking third Football League Trophy, or will Walsall overturn their one-goal deficit on their first-ever trip to Wembley? We'll know the answer to both soon. Stay tuned.
48 min6'5 Aden Flint, who opened the scoring, is causing all sorts of problems from set pieces and I'm so surprised Walsall boss Dean Smith didn't take measures to combat him. You could compare Smith to a caveman for the way in which he's been oblivious to flint for a long time. #JPTjokes
51 minGOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRISTOL CITY 2-0 WALSALL (MARK LITTLE)
52 minIs that it? Mark Little becomes the second defender to score today, as the right-back attacks Luke Freeman's cross brilliantly, beating Andy Taylor to the ball to see Richard O'Donnell save his initial effort, but the rebound ricocheted off Little and bounced into the net. Slightly lucky, but questions remain over Walsall's defending.
54 minIt was a big ask for Walsall - who sit 37 points behind the League One leaders - to come back from one goal down, but now it's mountainous. Sad, because it's the Saddlers' first trip to Wembley, but they've started both halves really poorly and paid the punishment.
57 minSHOT! Decent volley from Sam Mantom but his effort is always rising and sails over the bar. They need to find a way to get Tom Bradshaw into the game. He's been anonymous, and it's very much by design as he's been dominated by Aden Flint.
59 minOFF THE POST! So unlucky for Walsall as Jordan Cook's angled lob - might've been a bad cross, it's hard to tell - is tipped on to the post by Frank Fielding, and Bradshaw volleys narrowly wide from the rebound. If they get one it'll do them the world of good and, as a neutral, let's hope they do reduce the deficit.
61 minWALSALL SUB: Here comes Manchester City loanee Jordy Hiwula, who replaces the ineffective Tom Bradshaw. Will he prove a little more of an outlet than Bradshaw? Let's see. In truth, he can't do much worse.
64 minSAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a fantastic save from O'Donnell, as Mark Little does brilliantly and fizzes in one of the best crosses you're likely to see this weekend, but O'Donnell pulls off a point-blank save to keep out Wilbraham I think. Is that the moment Walsall get back into the game?
68 minBristol City use a break in play to replenish with a drinks break, but they don't need it. They look as fit and lively as they did in the first quarter, and in truth Walsall have been second best all day.
70 min
© Getty Images
© Getty Images72 minSHOT!!!!! We've seen our first sight of Jordy Hiwula, as the Man City starlet blazes well over the bar from outside the box and time is rapidly running out for the Saddlers.
74 minWALSALL SUB: Anthony Forde, who has just had a shocking shot, is replaced by Ashley Grimes for the last 15 minutes or so.
77 minWell it's their first trip to Wembley and has been it memorable? No. It's all been a bit of a damp squib for poor Walsall, who have waited 127 years to earn a trip to Wembley and, well, it's just passed them by a little. Shame.
80 minWALSALL SUB: Last throw of the dice for Walsall as Dean Smith withdraws Jordan Cook with James Baxendale.
82 minThe great thing about Wembley and cup finals is that you see some odd characters in the crowd, and we've got some fat, bald nuns with us this afternoon it seems. (I should clarify that they're men dressed up as nuns)
84 minSHOT!!!!The tempo has dropped somewhat over the last 15 minutes or so as Baxendale, in a rare foray forward, drags a poor shot well wide of Fielding's goal. That'll probably be their last chance.
87 minBRISTOL SUB: Cotterill begins to batten down the hatches now as Greg Cunningham replaces Joe Bryan.
90 minBRISTOL SUB: They make their second sub now as big Jay Emmanuel-Thomas comes on for Kieran Agard for the last few minutes. I'm not going to lie folks, this one has petered out BADLY; probably by design from a Bristol perspective.
90 + 1 minFOUR MINUTES ADDED ON:
90 + 3 minThe Robins fans are in OLE mode now as they wave flags in preparation for the final whistle.
5.23pmFULL TIME: BRISTOL CITY 2-0 WALSALL: And that's it. Bristol City have won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for a third time!!!!!
5.25pmThe Robins win it for a record-breaking third time, as goals in either half from defenders Aden Flint and Mark Little ensure that Walsall are not victorious in what was their first-ever trip to Wembley. They deserved it. Cotterill's side bossed the game and never really looked in trouble.
5.26pmA really poor start to both halves undermined Walsall in their maiden visit to this famous stadium and, well, the occasion just passed them by a little. Sad, but take nothing away from Bristol City because they thoroughly deserved the win.
5.28pmMark Little, wearing a great big red wig, leaps into the crowd to celebrate with the City fans. And with that, I'll leave you with a match report and get on my way. Thanks for joining our live text commentary and enjoy the rest of your weekend. Bye now!
