Match report

Tranmere Draws 2-2 with Nottingham Forest U21 in EFL Trophy

Tranmere
Tranmere
2–2
PEN
Nottingham Forest U21
Nottingham Forest U21
Sep 9, 2025

Tranmere staged a comeback to hold Nottingham Forest U21 to a 2-2 draw in the EFL Trophy, with goals from J. Turnbull and J. Davison. Despite an early lead by F. Smith for Nottingham, Tranmere's resilience was evident throughout the match, securing a crucial point in the tournament.

Key Facts

  • • F. Smith (Nottingham Forest U21) scored the opening goal in the 2nd minute.
  • • J. Turnbull (Tranmere) equalized in the 17th minute.
  • • J. Davison (Tranmere) put Tranmere ahead in the 59th minute.
  • • K. Thompson (Nottingham Forest U21) scored in the 88th minute to secure a draw.
  • • Tranmere had two yellow cards, one each for S. Solomon and C. Norman.
  • • Nottingham Forest U21 had one yellow card for Jack Thompson.

Lineups

Tranmere

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 12 J. Barrett (G)
  • 16 J. Lowe (D)
  • 4 J. Turnbull (D)
  • 3 P. Brough (D)
  • 14 J. Joseph (M)
  • 24 B. Blacker
  • 17 S. Solomon (M)
  • 25 T. Harris (M)
  • 10 J. Davison (F)
  • 18 C. Jennings (F)
  • 29 J. Ironside (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 J. Murphy
  • 2 C. Norman
  • 22 L. O'Connor
  • 5 N. Smith
  • 6 R. Smallwood
  • 7 C. Whitaker
  • 11 O. Patrick

Nottingham Forest U21

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 47 L. Campbell (G)
  • 58 J. Thompson (D)
  • 44 Z. Abbott (D)
  • 65 J. Hanks (D)
  • 60 J. Newton (D)
  • 64 B. Hammond (M)
  • 51 A. Whitehall (M)
  • 61 J. Sinclair (M)
  • 73 F. Smith (M)
  • 50 A. Berry (M)
  • 45 L. Sillah (F)

Substitutes

  • 67 K. Willows
  • 71 D. Modupe
  • 76 B. Sanneh
  • 46 C. Yaya
  • 56 B. McClure
  • 93 C. Nwosu
  • 96 K. Thompson

Timeline

  1. Nottingham Forest U21
    2' Nottingham Forest U21 Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Smith · Assist: L. Sillah
  2. Tranmere
    17' Tranmere Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Turnbull · Assist: S. Solomon
  3. Tranmere
    18' Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    S. Solomon

    Foul

  4. Nottingham Forest U21
    35' Nottingham Forest U21 Card · Yellow Card
    Jack Thompson

    Foul

  5. Tranmere
    59' Tranmere Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Davison · Assist: S. Solomon
  6. Tranmere
    60' Tranmere subst · Substitution 1
    Off: B. Blacker · On: C. Norman
  7. Tranmere
    61' Tranmere subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Ironside · On: R. Smallwood
  8. Nottingham Forest U21
    61' Nottingham Forest U21 subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Whitehall · On: B. McClure
  9. Nottingham Forest U21
    72' Nottingham Forest U21 subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Berry · On: K. Thompson
  10. Tranmere
    78' Tranmere subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Solomon · On: C. Whitaker
  11. Tranmere
    80' Tranmere subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Turnbull · On: N. Smith
  12. Nottingham Forest U21
    87' Nottingham Forest U21 subst · Substitution 3
    Off: B. Hammond · On: C. Nwosu
  13. Nottingham Forest U21
    88' Nottingham Forest U21 Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Thompson
  14. Tranmere
    89' Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    C. Norman

    Foul

  15. Tranmere
    90'+2 Tranmere subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Joseph · On: O. Patrick

Match Stats

Stat Tranmere Nottingham Forest U21
Fouls 11 13
Pass Accuracy 76% 73%
Offsides 3 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 15
Corners 10 4
Total Passes 465 384
Yellow Cards 2 1
Blocked Shots 1 5
Shots on Target 7 2
xG — —
Shots off Target 4 8
Possession 55% 45%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 355 280
Shots Inside Box 10 10
Saves 0 5
Shots Outside Box 2 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Nottingham Forest U21 took the lead in the 2nd minute through F. Smith, but Tranmere quickly responded and equalized through J. Turnbull in the 17th minute.
  • ▸ J. Davison's goal in the 59th minute for Tranmere seemed to shift momentum in their favor, only to be balanced by K. Thompson's late equalizer for Nottingham Forest U21 in the 88th minute.