Match report

Cheltenham 1–1 Crewe: League Two Draw

Cheltenham
Cheltenham
1–1
FT
Crewe
Crewe
Mar 17, 2026

Cheltenham and Crewe shared the spoils in a tense encounter at Whaddon Road. Cheltenham took the lead through a goal by J. Bickerstaff, who capitalized on an assist from Luke Young. However, Crewe equalized late in the game with a goal from James Connolly, securing a valuable point in the League Two standings.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Cheltenham 1–1 Crewe
  • • Goal: J. Bickerstaff (55') for Cheltenham
  • • Goal: James Connolly (85') for Crewe
  • • Substitutions: Crewe - C. Thomas (46'), E. Tezgel (72'), J. March (83'), M. H. Sanders (83'), Tommi O'Reilly (83')
  • • Substitutions: Cheltenham - Jordan Thomas (75'), Luke Young (75'), J. Davison (76')

Lineups

Cheltenham

Formation: 4-5-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Day (G)
  • 14 R. Broom (D)
  • 24 S. Sherring (D)
  • 5 J. Wilson (D)
  • 27 J. Tomkinson (D)
  • 11 J. Thomas (M)
  • 8 L. Young (M)
  • 26 B. Stevenson (M)
  • 23 I. Hutchinson (M)
  • 20 J. Bickerstaff (M)
  • 9 J. Davison (F)

Substitutes

  • 41 M. Diallo
  • 10 G. Miller
  • 21 G. Nurse
  • 16 J. Martin
  • 2 A. Jude-Boyd
  • 7 C. Deeming
  • 4 H. Ashfield

Crewe

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 41 I. Lawlor (G)
  • 2 L. Billington (D)
  • 18 J. Connolly (D)
  • 5 M. Demetriou (D)
  • 3 R. Hutchinson (D)
  • 6 M. H. Sanders (M)
  • 8 C. Thomas (M)
  • 26 T. O'Reilly (M)
  • 17 M. Holicek (M)
  • 24 J. March (M)
  • 36 E. Tezgel (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 T. Booth
  • 9 O. Bogle
  • 25 A. Pond
  • 20 C. Agius
  • 23 J. Powell
  • 7 J. Lankester
  • 29 A. Thibaut

Timeline

  1. Crewe
    46' Crewe subst · Substitution 1
    Off: C. Thomas · On: C. Agius
  2. Cheltenham
    51' Cheltenham Card · Yellow Card
    Luke Young

    Foul

  3. Cheltenham
    55' Cheltenham Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Bickerstaff · Assist: Luke Young
  4. Cheltenham
    70' Cheltenham Card · Yellow Card
    Jonathan Tomkinson

    Foul

  5. Crewe
    72' Crewe subst · Substitution 2
    Off: E. Tezgel · On: J. Lankester
  6. Cheltenham
    75' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Jordan Thomas · On: C. Deeming
  7. Cheltenham
    75' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Luke Young · On: H. Ashfield
  8. Cheltenham
    76' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Davison · On: G. Miller
  9. Cheltenham
    79' Cheltenham Card · Yellow Card
    J. Bickerstaff

    Foul

  10. Crewe
    80' Crewe Card · Yellow Card
    J. Lankester

    Foul

  11. Crewe
    83' Crewe subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. March · On: O. Bogle
  12. Crewe
    83' Crewe subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. H. Sanders · On: Jack Powell
  13. Crewe
    83' Crewe subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Tommi O'Reilly · On: A. Thibaut
  14. Crewe
    85' Crewe Goal · Normal Goal
    James Connolly · Assist: Jack Powell

Match Stats

Stat Cheltenham Crewe
Fouls 11 11
Pass Accuracy 80% 70%
Offsides 2 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 16 15
Corners 4 3
Total Passes 395 277
Yellow Cards 3 1
Blocked Shots 4 5
Shots on Target 4 3
xG 1.17 0.88
Shots off Target 8 7
Possession 58% 42%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 316 194
Shots Inside Box 9 11
Saves 2 3
Shots Outside Box 7 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Cheltenham took a crucial lead in the 55th minute when J. Bickerstaff scored off an assist from Luke Young, giving them a temporary advantage in the League Two match.
  • ▸ Crewe responded strongly, equalizing in the 85th minute through a goal from James Connolly, who was assisted by Jack Powell, ensuring a share of the points in a tightly contested match.