Match report

Cambridge United Defeat Tranmere 4-2 in League Two Clash

Cambridge United
Cambridge United
4–2
FT
Tranmere
Tranmere
Jan 24, 2026

In an electrifying encounter at the Abbey Stadium, Cambridge United held off a resilient Tranmere to secure a 4-2 victory in League Two action. Goals from S. Lavery, two by K. Watts, and Ben Knight sealed the win for the home side despite an early strike from D. Jones of Tranmere and a later goal from C. Whitaker.

Key Facts

  • • Cambridge United 4–2 Tranmere in League Two
  • • S. Lavery scored the first goal for Cambridge United at minute 58
  • • K. Watts netted twice, including one from J. Gibbons' assist
  • • Tranmere's D. Jones and C. Whitaker found the back of the net

Lineups

Cambridge United

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Eastwood (G)
  • 26 J. Gibbons (D)
  • 23 M. Jobe (D)
  • 6 K. Watts (D)
  • 2 L. Bennett (M)
  • 17 P. Mpanzu (M)
  • 38 G. Hoddle (M)
  • 7 J. Brophy (M)
  • 14 B. Knight (F)
  • 11 S. Kaikai (F)
  • 9 L. Appere (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 B. Hughes
  • 3 B. Purrington
  • 4 D. Ball
  • 16 Z. Ibsen Rossi
  • 19 S. Lavery
  • 21 S. McLoughlin
  • 24 E. Nevitt

Tranmere

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 13 J. Murphy (G)
  • 5 N. Smith (D)
  • 15 W. Tamen (D)
  • 3 P. Brough (D)
  • 2 C. Norman (M)
  • 24 B. Blacker
  • 8 S. Finley (M)
  • 14 J. Joseph (M)
  • 18 C. Jennings (F)
  • 27 D. Jones (F)
  • 29 J. Ironside (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 J. Barrett
  • 6 R. Smallwood
  • 7 C. Whitaker
  • 9 K. Dennis
  • 11 O. Patrick
  • 30 A. McGowan
  • 42 N. Kenneh

Timeline

  1. Tranmere
    15' Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    N. Smith

    Foul

  2. Cambridge United
    19' Cambridge United Card · Yellow Card
    G. Hoddle

    Foul

  3. Tranmere
    21' Tranmere subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Joseph · On: A. McGowan
  4. Cambridge United
    35' Cambridge United Card · Yellow Card
    J. Brophy

    Foul

  5. Tranmere
    45' Tranmere Goal · Normal Goal
    D. Jones · Assist: Patrick Brough
  6. Tranmere
    54' Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    Billy Blacker

    Foul

  7. Tranmere
    55' Tranmere subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Jones · On: C. Whitaker
  8. Cambridge United
    57' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Bennett · On: S. Lavery
  9. Cambridge United
    58' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 2
    Off: G. Hoddle · On: Dominic Ball
  10. Cambridge United
    58' Cambridge United Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Lavery · Assist: J. Brophy
  11. Tranmere
    63' Tranmere Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Whitaker · Assist: S. Finley
  12. Cambridge United
    67' Cambridge United Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Watts · Assist: J. Brophy
  13. Cambridge United
    72' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 3
    Off: L. Appere · On: Elliott Nevitt
  14. Tranmere
    74' Tranmere subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Jennings · On: O. Patrick
  15. Tranmere
    74' Tranmere subst · Substitution 4
    Off: B. Blacker · On: N. Kenneh
  16. Cambridge United
    77' Cambridge United Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Watts · Assist: J. Gibbons
  17. Cambridge United
    83' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 4
    Off: S. Kaikai · On: B. Purrington
  18. Cambridge United
    84' Cambridge United subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Brophy · On: Z. Ibsen Rossi
  19. Tranmere
    86' Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    A. McGowan

    Foul

  20. Cambridge United
    90' Cambridge United Goal · Normal Goal
    Ben Knight · Assist: P. Mpanzu

Match Stats

Stat Cambridge United Tranmere
Fouls 9 16
Pass Accuracy 73% 58%
Offsides 2 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 9
Corners 7 1
Total Passes 410 261
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 5 2
Shots on Target 6 5
xG 1.69 0.85
Shots off Target 4 2
Possession 62% 38%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 301 152
Shots Inside Box 12 6
Saves 2 2
Shots Outside Box 3 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Cambridge United equalized quickly in the 58th minute with S. Lavery's goal, turning the game around after Tranmere took an early lead
  • ▸ K. Watts' two goals, especially his second at minute 77, gave Cambridge a comfortable cushion despite Tranmere's late push