The 2006 Football League Trophy Final was an association football match played on 2 April 2006 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. The match was the 23rd final of the Football League Trophy, the domestic cup competition for teams from Football Leagues One and Two. The final was contested between Swansea City of League One and Carlisle United of League Two. Swansea were appearing in their second Football League Trophy final, having won the 1994 competition, while Carlisle were appearing in their fourth final, having lost in the 1995 and 2003 finals and won the 1997 final. Both sides had progressed through five rounds to reach the final based on their location, Carlisle in the northern section of the draw and Swansea in the southern section. Carlisle required extra-time on three occasions during their run to the final, including a 22-man penalty shoot-out victory over Tranmere Rovers in the northern area quarter-finals. Karl Hawley was their top goalscorer in the tournament, scoring four times en route to the final. Swansea twice required extra-time to progress in their matches, while Andy Robinson led the team with five goals in the competition. The final was watched by 42,028 spectators and was refereed by Tony Burke. Swansea took the lead inside the opening five minutes when Lee Trundle deflected a clearance by Carlisle goalkeeper Kieran Westwood. Leon Britton collected the ball before crossing to Trundle who proceeded to control the ball with his chest before volleying into the net. Hawley had a goal disallowed shortly before half-time but Carlisle were able to equalise when Adam Murray scored via a header. Swansea took the lead with nine minutes remaining through Adebayo Akinfenwa and held on to win the match 2–1. During their post-match celebrations, Swansea players Trundle and Alan Tate were pictured with a t-shirt and flag bearing offensive material referring to South Wales rivals Cardiff City. The pair were given a police caution over the incident and received a ban and fine from the Football Association of Wales. Route to the final The Football League Trophy is a domestic association football competition for teams competing in the third and fourth tiers of English football, Leagues One and Two of the Football League. Some teams from the fifth tier, the Football Conference, were also invited to compete in order to ensure an even number of competitors. The teams are grouped together based on their location,