Match report

Crewe Defeats Tranmere 2-1 in League Two Clash

Crewe
Crewe
2–1
FT
Tranmere
Tranmere
Feb 28, 2026

In an exciting League Two showdown at Gresty Road, Crewe managed to defeat Tranmere with a thrilling 2-1 result. The match was marked by a strong early lead from Tranmere's J. Plant but Crewe rallied back in the second half through goals from C. Thomas and J. March.

Key Facts

  • • Tranmere took an early lead with a goal from J. Plant at 44 minutes.
  • • Crewe equalized when C. Thomas scored at the 77-minute mark, assisted by Tommi O'Reilly.
  • • J. March secured Crewe's victory in injury time (90+1).
  • • Tranmere suffered two yellow cards during the match: S. Finley and L. Warrington.

Lineups

Crewe

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 41 Ian Lawlor (G)
  • 2 Lewis Billington (D)
  • 25 Alfie Pond (D)
  • 5 Mickey Demetriou (D)
  • 3 Reece Hutchinson (D)
  • 23 Jack Powell (M)
  • 17 Matúš Holíček (M)
  • 26 Tommi O'Reilly (M)
  • 20 Calum Agius (M)
  • 24 Josh March (M)
  • 29 Adrien Thibaut (F)

Substitutes

  • 9 Omar Bogle
  • 1 Tom Booth
  • 18 James Connolly
  • 14 Charlie Finney
  • 32 Luca Moore
  • 8 Conor Thomas
  • 7 Jack Lankester

Tranmere

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 33 Marko Maroši (G)
  • 16 Jason Lowe (D)
  • 5 Nathan Smith (D)
  • 28 Stephan Negru (D)
  • 26 James Plant (M)
  • 8 Sam Finley (M)
  • 25 Lewis Warrington (M)
  • 30 Aaron McGowan (M)
  • 32 Zech Obiero (F)
  • 11 Omari Patrick (F)
  • 29 Joe Ironside (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 Jack Barrett
  • 3 Patrick Brough
  • 2 Cameron Norman
  • 42 Nohan Kenneh
  • 17 Sol Solomon
  • 31 Max Dickov

Timeline

  1. Tranmere
    44' Tranmere Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Plant
  2. Crewe
    46' Crewe subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Thibaut · On: O. Bogle
  3. Tranmere
    51' Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    S. Finley

    Foul

  4. Tranmere
    61' Tranmere subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Plant · On: C. Norman
  5. Tranmere
    70' Tranmere subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Finley · On: N. Kenneh
  6. Crewe
    76' Crewe subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Agius · On: J. Lankester
  7. Crewe
    77' Crewe Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Thomas · Assist: Tommi O'Reilly
  8. Tranmere
    78' Tranmere subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. McGowan · On: Patrick Brough
  9. Tranmere
    79' Tranmere subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Ironside · On: M. Dickov
  10. Crewe
    90'+1 Crewe Goal · Normal Goal
    J. March · Assist: Tommi O'Reilly
  11. Crewe
    90'+2 Crewe subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Tommi O'Reilly · On: James Connolly
  12. Tranmere
    90'+5 Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    L. Warrington

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Crewe Tranmere
Fouls 9 14
Pass Accuracy 78% 57%
Offsides 3 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 17 6
Corners 5 1
Total Passes 417 273
Yellow Cards 0 2
Blocked Shots 4 2
Shots on Target 5 2
xG — —
Shots off Target 8 2
Possession 62% 38%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 325 155
Shots Inside Box 11 3
Saves 1 3
Shots Outside Box 6 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Crewe made a crucial substitution by bringing on A. Thibaut at 46 minutes, which helped shift momentum in their favor.
  • ▸ The turning point of the match was Crewe's equalizer scored by C. Thomas just before the hour mark, setting up their eventual win.