Match report

Crewe's Dominant Display Defeats Tranmere 4-1 (League Two)

Tranmere
Tranmere
1–4
FT
Crewe
Crewe
Dec 13, 2025

Crewe demonstrated their superior class and tactics to defeat local rivals Tranmere by a convincing margin of 4-1. Tranmere's own goal from James Connolly in the closing stages merely added insult to injury for the home side, as Crewe dominated proceedings throughout.

Key Facts

  • • Match result: Tranmere 1–4 Crewe (League Two)
  • • Goals scored by M. H. Sanders twice and Tommi O'Reilly, with an own goal from James Connolly for Tranmere
  • • Yellow cards given to J. Joseph of Tranmere and A. Thibaut, L. Billington of Crewe
  • • Substitutions included Patrick Brough coming on for Tranmere and Tommi O’Reilly being substituted out by Crewe

Lineups

Tranmere

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 13 J. Murphy (G)
  • 2 C. Norman (D)
  • 5 N. Smith (D)
  • 3 P. Brough (D)
  • 14 J. Joseph (M)
  • 24 B. Blacker
  • 6 R. Smallwood (M)
  • 23 E. Bristow (M)
  • 7 C. Whitaker (F)
  • 9 K. Dennis (F)
  • 29 J. Ironside (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 J. Barrett
  • 4 J. Turnbull
  • 10 J. Davison
  • 18 C. Jennings
  • 25 T. Harris
  • 30 A. McGowan
  • 42 N. Kenneh

Crewe

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 13 S. Waller
  • 20 C. Agius (D)
  • 18 J. Connolly (D)
  • 2 L. Billington (D)
  • 3 R. Hutchinson (D)
  • 19 O. Lunt (M)
  • 6 M. H. Sanders (M)
  • 26 T. O'Reilly (M)
  • 36 E. Tezgel (M)
  • 24 J. March (M)
  • 29 A. Thibaut (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 T. Booth
  • 4 J. J. Mingi
  • 15 D. Rankine
  • 22 P. Croker
  • 23 J. Powell
  • 30 S. Dancey
  • 31 L. Moult

Timeline

  1. Crewe
    17' Crewe Goal · Normal Goal
    M. H. Sanders · Assist: Tommi O'Reilly
  2. Crewe
    45'+9 Crewe Card · Yellow Card
    A. Thibaut

    Argument

  3. Crewe
    45' Crewe Goal · Normal Goal
    M. H. Sanders · Assist: Tommi O'Reilly
  4. Tranmere
    46' Tranmere subst · Substitution 1
    Off: C. Norman · On: J. Turnbull
  5. Tranmere
    46' Tranmere subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Patrick Brough · On: T. Harris
  6. Tranmere
    56' Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    J. Joseph

    Foul

  7. Crewe
    59' Crewe Goal · Penalty
    E. Tezgel
  8. Crewe
    63' Crewe Card · Yellow Card
    L. Billington

    Foul

  9. Tranmere
    66' Tranmere subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Ironside · On: C. Jennings
  10. Tranmere
    66' Tranmere subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Joseph · On: A. McGowan
  11. Crewe
    71' Crewe Goal · Normal Goal
    Tommi O'Reilly · Assist: M. H. Sanders
  12. Tranmere
    74' Tranmere subst · Substitution 5
    Off: K. Dennis · On: J. Davison
  13. Crewe
    75' Crewe subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. March · On: D. Rankine
  14. Crewe
    75' Crewe subst · Substitution 2
    Off: M. H. Sanders · On: Jack Powell
  15. Crewe
    81' Crewe subst · Substitution 3
    Off: A. Thibaut · On: L. Moult
  16. Tranmere
    82' Tranmere Goal · Own Goal
    James Connolly
  17. Crewe
    89' Crewe subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Tommi O'Reilly · On: S. Dancey
  18. Tranmere
    90'+5 Tranmere Card · Yellow Card
    A. McGowan

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Tranmere Crewe
Fouls 16 12
Pass Accuracy 68% 58%
Offsides 2 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 18 9
Corners 8 2
Total Passes 383 226
Yellow Cards 4 2
Blocked Shots 5 1
Shots on Target 5 5
xG 0.68 1.63
Shots off Target 8 3
Possession 64% 36%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 259 131
Shots Inside Box 7 8
Saves 1 5
Shots Outside Box 11 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Crewe took the lead early with M. H. Sanders scoring a goal in the 17th minute, setting the tone for the match.
  • ▸ The second half saw further momentum shifts with Crewe adding another goal before halftime and capitalizing on a penalty to extend their advantage.