Match report

Tranmere Stuns Cheltenham 3-2 in League Two Thriller

Tranmere
Tranmere
3–2
FT
Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Nov 15, 2025

Tranmere emerged victorious over Cheltenham in an exciting League Two match on November 15. The game was marked by early Tranmere goals, including one own goal from Jordan Wilson and a strike by Joe Ironside. Despite Cheltenham's efforts to level the score through goals from Jordan Thomas and Josh Martin, Tranmere clinched their third goal via another own goal, this time credited to Joe Day.

Key Facts

  • • Tranmere scored two early goals within 9 minutes: an own goal by J. Wilson (2') and a strike by J. Ironside (11').
  • • Cheltenham responded with goals from Jordan Thomas (34') and Josh Martin (77'), but Tranmere sealed the win with another own goal by Joe Day (86').
  • • Both teams made multiple substitutions, including key changes like C. Jennings for K. Dennis in Tranmere's lineup.
  • • Tranmere received two yellow cards: one to N. Smith (66') and R. Smallwood (73'), while Cheltenham got a caution for Luke Young (85').

Lineups

Tranmere

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 13 J. Murphy (G)
  • 16 J. Lowe (D)
  • 5 N. Smith (D)
  • 3 P. Brough (D)
  • 14 J. Joseph (M)
  • 8 S. Finley (M)
  • 6 R. Smallwood (M)
  • 11 O. Patrick (M)
  • 7 C. Whitaker (F)
  • 18 C. Jennings (F)
  • 29 J. Ironside (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 J. Barrett
  • 2 C. Norman
  • 9 K. Dennis
  • 10 J. Davison
  • 24 B. Blacker
  • 30 A. McGowan
  • 42 N. Kenneh

Cheltenham

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

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

Substitutes

  • 12 D. Power
  • 3 G. Harmon
  • 4 L. Kinsella
  • 16 J. Martin
  • 15 T. Taylor
  • 31 H. Adelakun
  • 41 M. Diallo

Timeline

  1. Tranmere
    2' Tranmere Goal · Own Goal
    J. Wilson
  2. Tranmere
    11' Tranmere Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Ironside
  3. Cheltenham
    34' Cheltenham Goal · Normal Goal
    Jordan Thomas · Assist: J. Bickerstaff
  4. Cheltenham
    46' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Ben Stevenson · On: H. Adelakun
  5. Tranmere
    65' Tranmere subst · Substitution 1
    Off: C. Jennings · On: K. Dennis
  6. Tranmere
    65' Tranmere subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Ironside · On: J. Davison
  7. Tranmere
    66' Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    N. Smith

    Foul

  8. Tranmere
    68' Tranmere subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Joseph · On: C. Norman
  9. Cheltenham
    72' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Ryan Broom · On: Josh Martin
  10. Tranmere
    73' Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    R. Smallwood

    Foul

  11. Cheltenham
    77' Cheltenham Goal · Normal Goal
    Josh Martin · Assist: H. Adelakun
  12. Tranmere
    84' Tranmere subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Jason Lowe · On: B. Blacker
  13. Tranmere
    84' Tranmere subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Smallwood · On: A. McGowan
  14. Cheltenham
    85' Cheltenham Card · Yellow Card
    Luke Young

    Foul

  15. Tranmere
    86' Tranmere Goal · Own Goal
    Joe Day
  16. Cheltenham
    88' Cheltenham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: E. Archer · On: T. Taylor

Match Stats

Stat Tranmere Cheltenham
Fouls 5 7
Pass Accuracy 75% 74%
Offsides 1 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 14
Corners 2 7
Total Passes 340 401
Yellow Cards 2 1
Blocked Shots 3 5
Shots on Target 4 4
xG 1.58 1.50
Shots off Target 6 5
Possession 45% 55%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 254 297
Shots Inside Box 10 6
Saves 2 2
Shots Outside Box 3 8

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The early double from Tranmere within the first 11 minutes set the tone, giving them an immediate advantage over Cheltenham.
  • ▸ Tranmere's third goal via another own goal in the dying moments (86') was crucial for securing their victory against a resilient Cheltenham side.