Cambridge United vs Tranmere Rovers

24 January 2026 · League Two · 2025/26 · Referee Ross Martin

Full time 4 – 2

Half-time: 0–1

Shayne Lavery 58’
Kell Watts 67’, 77’
Ben Knight 90+6’

Dylan Jones 45’
Charlie Whitaker 64’

Match summary

Cambridge United came from behind to win 4-2 at home to Tranmere Rovers. Tranmere Rovers led 1-0 at half-time.

In the first half, Dylan Jones put Tranmere Rovers ahead with a header in the 45th minute. In the second half, Shayne Lavery equalised in the 58th minute, Charlie Whitaker put Tranmere Rovers back in front in the 64th minute, Kell Watts equalised with a header in the 67th minute, Watts put Cambridge United in front with a header in the 77th minute, and Ben Knight made it 4-2 in stoppage time.

Shots finished 15-9 to Cambridge United, with 6 on target for Cambridge United and 5 for Tranmere Rovers.

Match stats

62% Possession 38%

15 Shots 9

6 Shots on target 5

7 Corners 1

411 Passes 266

74.5% Pass accuracy 57.5%

12 Tackles 18

9 Fouls 17

2 Yellow cards 3

2 Offsides 1

Key events

Cambridge United Tranmere Rovers

Kick-off

15’

Nathan James SmithFoul

George HoddleFoul

19’

21’

Aaron McGowanJayden Joseph

22’

Connor JenningsShot on target

James BrophyFoul

35’

Sullay KaikaiShot on target

40’

45’

Dylan JonesHeader

0-1

Half-time0-1

Second half underway

54’

Billy BlackerFoul

55’

Charlie WhitakerDylan Jones

Shayne LaveryLiam Bennett

57’

Shayne LaveryRight foot shot

1-1

58’

Dominic BallGeorge Hoddle

58’

63’

Charlie Whitaker

1-2

Kell WattsHeader

2-2

67’

68’

Billy BlackerShot on target

Elliott NevittLouis Appéré

72’

74’

Omari PatrickConnor Jennings

74’

Nohan KennehBilly Blacker

Kell WattsHeader

3-2

77’

Ben PurringtonSullay Kaikai

83’

Zeno Ibsen RossiJames Brophy

84’

86’

Aaron McGowanFoul

Shayne LaveryShot on target

87’

90+3’

Joe IronsideShot on target

Ben KnightLeft foot shot

4-2

90+6’

Full-time4-2

Shot map

Every shot and where it was taken from.

Tranmere Rovers attacking Cambridge United attacking

Goal On target Off target or blocked

Hover or tap a shot for the player and minute.

Lineups

Cambridge United 3-4-2-1 Starting XI

Tranmere Rovers 3-4-2-1 Starting XI

Player stats

Goalkeeper1 player


Jake Eastwood	90′	2	2	22	–	–	–	–	–

Defenders4 players


James Gibbons	90′	2	2	–	3	1	52	–	–	1	–
Mamadou Jobe	90′	2	2	1	14	9	68	2	–	–	–
Kell Watts	90′	–	–	–	2	2	75	–	2	–	–
Ben Purrington Came on as a substitute	13′	–	–	–	1	1	4	–	–	–	–

Midfielders7 players


Liam Bennett Taken off	57′	–	–	20	–	–	–	–	2	1	2	–
Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu	90′	–	1	24	2	–	1	1	3	–	1	–
George Hoddle Taken off	58′	–	–	25	2	–	–	1	3	1	1
James Brophy Taken off	84′	–	2	29	2	–	1	–	2	2	1
Sullay Kaikai Taken off	83′	–	–	21	1	–	2	–	6	2	3	–
Dominic Ball Came on as a substitute	32′	–	–	20	1	–	3	–	4	–	1	–
Zeno Ibsen Rossi Came on as a substitute	12′	–	–	3	–	–	–	–	1	–	–	–

Forwards4 players


Ben Knight	90′	1	–	3	1	–	–	2	4	2	35	–
Louis Appéré Taken off	72′	–	–	4	–	–	–	–	2	1	6	–
Shayne Lavery Came on as a substitute	33′	1	–	2	2	–	–	–	2	–	3	–
Elliott Nevitt Came on as a substitute	18′	–	–	1	–	–	–	–	2	2	4	–

Goalkeeper1 player


Joe Murphy	90′	2	4	36	2	–	–	–	–

Defenders6 players


Nathan James Smith	90′	2	1	2	9	7	14	1	–	–
William Tamen	90′	1	2	1	2	1	10	–	–	–	–
Patrick Brough	90′	4	1	–	11	5	28	2	–	1	–
Cameron Norman	90′	4	–	–	10	4	19	4	–	–	–
Jayden Joseph Taken off	21′	–	1	–	1	1	3	–	–	–	–
Aaron McGowan Came on as a substitute	69′	2	2	2	8	6	25	2	–	–

Midfielders4 players


Sam Finley	90′	–	1	18	2	–	–	1	2	1	–	–
Billy Blacker Taken off	74′	–	–	21	–	–	1	1	3	1	–
Omari Patrick Came on as a substitute	16′	–	–	9	1	–	1	–	3	1	–	–
Nohan Kenneh Came on as a substitute	16′	–	–	7	–	–	1	–	2	–	–	–

Forwards4 players


Dylan Jones Taken off	55′	1	–	1	1	–	–	–	3	2	6	–
Connor Jennings Taken off	74′	–	–	1	1	–	–	–	9	–	35	–
Joe Ironside	90′	–	–	1	1	–	–	1	10	–	20	–
Charlie Whitaker Came on as a substitute	35′	1	–	1	1	–	–	2	4	–	15	–

Came on Taken off Sent off Red is the most in that position for the team

Every player who took the pitch, starters first and then substitutes. A dash means none. xG and xA are expected goals and assists.

Before kick-off

Cambridge United win 55% Avg odds 1.68

Draw 26% Avg odds 3.61

Tranmere Rovers win 19% Avg odds 5.01

Chances implied by the average closing odds, with the bookmaker margin removed.

Form going into the game

Cambridge United W D W W W

Tranmere Rovers W L W L L

Last five league games before this one, oldest first. Select one to open it.

Previous and next meeting

Previous meeting: Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Cambridge United, 27 Sep 25 All Cambridge United vs Tranmere Rovers meetings

Shots, expected goals, timeline, lineups, team and player statistics from Bzzoiro Sports Data (sports.bzzoiro.com). Results and odds from football-data.co.uk.