Match report

Grimsby Defeats Cheltenham 2-0 in League Two Clash

Cheltenham
Cheltenham
0–2
FT
Grimsby
Grimsby
Jan 24, 2026

Grimsby stunned Cheltenham with a strong performance to secure a vital 2-0 win in League Two. Goals from Kieran Green and Alex Cook were enough for Grimsby, despite several yellow cards disrupting the match flow. Cheltenham failed to capitalize on their opportunities, handing Grimsby three crucial points.

Key Facts

  • • Grimsby's Kieran Green scored in the 5th minute from Jayden Sweeney's assist.
  • • Alex Cook netted another goal for Grimsby at the 74th minute, assisted by J. Kabia.
  • • Four yellow cards were issued during the match; two to Grimsby (G. D. Turi and E. Khouri) and two to Cheltenham (Ben Stevenson).
  • • Grimsby made several substitutions including Jayden Sweeney off for R. Staunton, J. Soonsup-Bell replaced by J. Kabia, and Darragh Burns on for A. Cook.
  • • Cheltenham's G. Miller came in as a substitute for Jude-Boyd Arkell at the 68th minute.

Lineups

Cheltenham

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Day (G)
  • 27 J. Tomkinson (D)
  • 6 R. Cundy (D)
  • 5 J. Wilson (D)
  • 21 G. Nurse (D)
  • 8 L. Young (M)
  • 26 B. Stevenson (M)
  • 7 C. Deeming (M)
  • 11 J. Thomas (F)
  • 10 G. Miller (F)
  • 20 J. Bickerstaff (F)

Substitutes

  • 41 M. Diallo
  • 2 A. Jude-Boyd
  • 12 D. Power
  • 3 G. Harmon
  • 38 H. Tustin
  • 28 T. Backwell
  • 16 J. Martin

Grimsby

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Starting XI

  • 31 J. Smith (G)
  • 5 H. Rodgers (D)
  • 6 S. Lavelle (D)
  • 17 C. McJannet (D)
  • 3 J. Sweeney (D)
  • 15 G. D. Turi (M)
  • 18 D. Burns (M)
  • 4 K. Green (M)
  • 8 E. Khouri (M)
  • 30 C. Vernam (M)
  • 10 J. Soonsup-Bell (F)

Substitutes

  • 16 R. Staunton
  • 20 G. McEachran
  • 21 T. Warren
  • 29 C. Oduor
  • 40 T. Sellars-Fleming
  • 9 J. Kabia
  • 39 A. Cook

Timeline

  1. Grimsby
    5' Grimsby Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Green · Assist: Jayden Sweeney
  2. Grimsby
    30' Grimsby Card · Yellow Card
    G. D. Turi

    Foul

  3. Grimsby
    45' Grimsby Card · Yellow Card
    E. Khouri

    Time wasting

  4. Cheltenham
    57' Cheltenham Card · Yellow Card
    Ben Stevenson

    Foul

  5. Grimsby
    58' Grimsby Card · Yellow Card
    Harvey Rodgers

    Foul

  6. Grimsby
    60' Grimsby subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Jayden Sweeney · On: R. Staunton
  7. Grimsby
    60' Grimsby subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Soonsup-Bell · On: J. Kabia
  8. Cheltenham
    68' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: G. Miller · On: Arkell Jude-Boyd
  9. Grimsby
    71' Grimsby subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Darragh Burns · On: A. Cook
  10. Grimsby
    74' Grimsby Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Cook · Assist: J. Kabia
  11. Grimsby
    81' Grimsby subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. Green · On: G. McEachran
  12. Grimsby
    81' Grimsby subst · Substitution 5
    Off: C. Vernam · On: C. Oduor

Match Stats

Stat Cheltenham Grimsby
Fouls 15 9
Pass Accuracy 73% 71%
Offsides — —
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 11 9
Corners 7 2
Total Passes 374 307
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 4 2
Shots on Target 2 5
xG 0.97 1.18
Shots off Target 5 2
Possession 56% 44%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 272 218
Shots Inside Box 4 6
Saves 3 2
Shots Outside Box 7 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Grimsby took an early lead when Kieran Green scored just five minutes into the match, setting the tone for Grimsby's dominance.
  • ▸ Alex Cook's goal in the 74th minute solidified Grimsby’s victory, dampening any hopes of a comeback from Cheltenham.