SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 17:20 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Tom Nichols' debut comes to an end for Swindon Town.
On comes 17-year-old Botan Ameen, who is making his home league debut for the Robins.
Summary
League Two: Swindon v Crewe finishes goalless after near hour-long delay because of thick fog
The hosts move up to 20th while second-placed Crewe close the gap on leaders Walsall to 12 points
The Saddlers thrashed Tranmere 5-1 in the earlier kick-off for a club record eighth-straight win
League One: Mallik Wilks' penalty, Reece James and Sam Nombe deliver a 3-1 win for Rotherham against Bolton
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 17:20 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Postpublished at 17:18 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Image source, Rex FeaturesSwindon have failed to win any of their past five league games against Crewe (D2 L3), which is their longest winless run against the Railwaymen in the EFL.
They've got about 25 minutes to change that stat today.
SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 17:15 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Jack Powell is making way for Crewe and he's replaced by Owen Lunt.
Postpublished at 17:14 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Swindon swing in the resulting corner but it goes all the way through the crowd and behind for a goal-kick to Crewe.
PENALTY APPEALpublished at 17:14 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Harry Smith goes down asking for a penalty for Swindon but the ref waves play on.
It immediately breaks for Ollie Clarke who fires a left-footed effort on target from just inside the box but it's deflected over the top.
A mad five seconds, there!
Postpublished at 17:10 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Ollie Clarke tries to bundle his way into the area for Swindon but Mickey Demetriou is there for Crewe to stop him in his tracks.
The hosts are certainly trying to push for an opener.
Postpublished at 17:09 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
There are 6,638 fans watching on at the County Ground. It's been, er, entertaining for non-footballing reasons so far with the almost one-hour delay for fog just minutes after the game kicked off.
Plenty of chances on the pitch for Swindon as well, but still all square 10 minutes into the second period.
'Excellent play from Swindon'published at 17:06 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Paul Bodin
Former Swindon defender on BBC Radio WiltshireExcellent play from Swindon.
Harry Smith slides a one-touch pass into Tom Nichols favoured right foot, it looks like it'll hit the net but the keeper, when called upon, makes the save really well.
Postpublished at 17:05 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Ryan Delaney takes a potshot from a long, long way out for Swindon but Filip Marschall once again does well in the Crewe goal to catch it at the second attempt as it flies towards goal.
GREAT SAVE!published at 17:02 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
A great move by Swindon and it ends in a shot with Tom Nichols from the edge of the box after a nice pass by Harry Smith.
But Crewe keeper Filip Marschall is there again to thwart the Robins.
Postpublished at 17:00 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Conditions are at least a tad better for this second period, it must be said. The other side of the pitch is visible now...
KICK-OFFpublished at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Off we go for the second half at a misty County Ground. Will we see the deadlock broken in the next 45 minutes or so? Barring any more stoppages due to the fog...
'Pretty even game so far'published at 16:47 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
HT: Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Paul Bodin
Former Swindon Defender on BBC Radio Wiltshire
Image source, Rex FeaturesIt's been a pretty even game so far, it's been end to end without any real opportunities,
Swindon had a golden opportunity, and Smith had the chance and quite unusually couldn't turn it home.
HALF-TIMEpublished at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Image source, Rex FeaturesWorth the wait? I'll let you decide.
After that 56-minute delay due to the dense fog, we have finally reached half-time.
Matus Holicek lashed wide of target early on for the visitors, before being forced off by injury, while Ollie Clarke has thumped the base of the post and Aaron Drinan rolled an angled strike wide from the rebound after a fine save from Railwaymen keeper Filip Marschall.
Swindon came inches away from getting their noses in front seconds before the whistle as Harry Smith couldn't get a decisive contact on Gavin Kilkenny's cross into the goalmouth.
Postpublished at 16:40 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Crewe win the ninth corner of the first half, just their second, after breaking from one end to the other, but referee Lee Swabey spots a foul by Omar Bogle in the mixer and blows for a Town free-kick.
Postpublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Filip Marschall flies off his line in the gloom to claim Will Wright's latest corner before bowling the ball out to Jack Lankester to launch a counter attack, which Swindon have to scramble to break up.
Postpublished at 16:35 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Swindon target man Harry Smith flicks on a long clearance from keeper Jack Bycroft for Aaron Drinan to run onto but he is brought down 30 yards from goal.
Will Wright's ambitious effort cannons back off the wall but Crewe concede a throw, allowing Wright to launch it in towards the centre spot, with the hosts winning another corner, which Wright will also take.
Busy few minutes for the Robins man.
Postpublished at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Long-range shot from Crewe's Jack Powell fails to trouble Jack Bycroft in the Swindon goal.
In fact it cannons back off the roof of the stand.
Postpublished at 16:27 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Half an hour gone and I hate to say it, but it seems things are taking a slight turn for the worse again, visibility wise.
'Let-off for Crewe'published at 16:27 Greenwich Mean Time 11 January
Swindon 0-0 Crewe
Paul Bodin
Former Swindon Defender on BBC Radio WiltshireIt his the near post, drilled really well from Ollie Clark, the keeper didn't dive, it caught him off balance and he had to just watch it hit the post.
A let-off for Crewe but good work from Swindon.
Walsall moved 12 points clear at the top of League Two by thrashing struggling Tranmere Rovers 5-1 to set a new club record of eight successive league wins.
Jamille Matt's double, plus goals from Ryan Stirk, Jamie Jellis and the division's top scorer Nathan Lowe, earned Walsall victory with Connor Jennings replying for 10-man Rovers.
The leaders were lively from the start and Rovers goalkeeper Luke McGee saved smartly from Jellis' volley before Matt looped home a header from Taylor Allen's cross to give Walsall a 15th-minute lead.
Stirk rifled a fine strike into the bottom corner from just outside the area in the 22nd minute.
Sam Finley's 38th-minute dismissal for two quick bookings, the second a deliberate handball, briefly galvanised Rovers and Jennings drilled in from 20 yards a minute before the break.
But Matt stabbed home from close range in the 49th minute and Jellis made it 4-1 in the 72nd minute with a near-post shot that deflected past McGee.
On-loan Stoke City striker Lowe took his tally to 15 by converting Albert Adomah's cross eight minutes later as Rovers, five points above the drop zone, suffered a sixth straight away league defeat.
Match report supplied by PA Media
Related topics
League Two Scores & Fixtures
League Two Table
On Saturday 11th January
Skip to table keyMatch Participants:
- Walsall, Position 1, Points 55
- Tranmere Rovers, Position 22, Points 25
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 48 | 21 | 27 | 55 |
| |
| 2 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 33 | 22 | 11 | 43 |
| |
| 3 | 24 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 29 | 19 | 10 | 42 |
| |
| 4 | 25 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 29 | 25 | 4 | 41 |
| |
| 5 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 35 | 19 | 16 | 40 |
| |
| 6 | 24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 38 | 26 | 12 | 40 |
| |
| 7 | 25 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 40 |
| |
| 8 | 24 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 33 | 27 | 6 | 38 |
| |
| 9 | 25 | 12 | 1 | 12 | 36 | 40 | -4 | 37 |
| |
| 10 | 24 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 38 | 29 | 9 | 34 |
| |
| 11 | 23 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 36 | 31 | 5 | 34 |
| |
| 12 | 24 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 34 |
| |
| 13 | 24 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 34 | 36 | -2 | 31 |
| |
| 14 | 23 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 22 | 24 | -2 | 30 |
| |
| 15 | 24 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 23 | 26 | -3 | 28 |
| |
| 16 | 22 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 27 |
| |
| 17 | 24 | 5 | 12 | 7 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 27 |
| |
| 18 | 23 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 30 | 40 | -10 | 26 |
| |
| 19 | 23 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 32 | 40 | -8 | 25 |
| |
| 20 | 26 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 31 | 41 | -10 | 25 |
| |
| 21 | 25 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 21 | 37 | -16 | 25 |
| |
| 22 | 24 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 37 | -19 | 25 |
| |
| 23 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 22 | 39 | -17 | 20 |
| |
| 24 | 24 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 19 | 38 | -19 | 18 |
|
Key
- Position 1 - 3 : Promotion
- Position 4 - 7 : Promotion Play-off
- Position 23 - 24 : Relegation
Team Lineups
home team, Walsall
Manager: Mat Sadler
Formation: 3 - 5 - 2
Pitch Formation
1, Simkin, Goalkeeper
26, Okagbue, Defender
24, Williams, Defender
21, Allen, Defender
2, Connor Barrett, Midfielder
4, McEntee, Midfielder
25, Stirk, Midfielder
22, Jellis, Midfielder
3, Liam Gordon, Midfielder
9, Matt, Striker
7, Lowe, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, T. Simkin
- Number 21, T. Allen
- Number 24, H. Williams , substituted for D. Daniels at 85 minutes
- Number 26, D. Okagbue
- Number 3, L. Gordon
- Number 22, J. Jellis , Yellow Card at 45 minutes plus 2
- Number 25, R. Stirk , substituted for B. Comley at 85 minutes
- Number 4, O. McEntee , Yellow Card at 29 minutes, substituted for C. Lakin at 68 minutes
- Number 2, C. Barrett
- Number 7, N. Lowe , substituted for D. Johnson at 85 minutes
- Number 9, J. Matt , Captain, substituted for A. Adomah at 75 minutes
Substitutes
home team, Walsall
- Number 37, A. Adomah
- Number 14, B. Comley
- Number 5, D. Daniels
- Number 12, S. Hornby
- Number 39, D. Johnson
- Number 8, C. Lakin
- Number 30, E. Weir
away team, Tranmere Rovers
Manager: Nigel Adkins
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, McGee, Goalkeeper
22, O'Connor, Defender
5, Davies, Defender
6, Turnbull, Defender
2, Norman, Midfielder
17, Finley, Midfielder
7, Morris, Midfielder
3, Bradshaw, Midfielder
18, Jennings, Attacking Midfielder
14, Dennis, Attacking Midfielder
19, Saunders, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, L. McGee
- Number 6, J. Turnbull , Yellow Card at 22 minutes
- Number 5, T. Davies , Captain, Yellow Card at 23 minutes
- Number 22, L. O'Connor , substituted for S. Khan at 69 minutes
- Number 3, Z. Bradshaw , substituted for C. Wood at 85 minutes
- Number 7, K. Morris , substituted for S. Solomon at 85 minutes
- Number 17, S. Finley , Two Yellow Cards at 38 minutes
- Number 2, C. Norman
- Number 14, K. Dennis , Yellow Card at 29 minutes, substituted for O. Patrick at 69 minutes
- Number 18, C. Jennings
- Number 19, H. Saunders , substituted for J. Davison at 69 minutes
away team, Tranmere Rovers
- Number 10, J. Davison
- Number 35, D. Drysdale
- Number 28, S. Khan
- Number 13, J. Murphy
- Number 30, O. Patrick
- Number 21, S. Solomon
- Number 23, C. Wood
home team, Walsall
Manager: Mat Sadler
Formation: 3 - 5 - 2
Pitch Formation
1, Simkin, Goalkeeper
26, Okagbue, Defender
24, Williams, Defender
21, Allen, Defender
2, Connor Barrett, Midfielder
4, McEntee, Midfielder
25, Stirk, Midfielder
22, Jellis, Midfielder
3, Liam Gordon, Midfielder
9, Matt, Striker
7, Lowe, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, T. Simkin
- Number 21, T. Allen
- Number 24, H. Williams , substituted for D. Daniels at 85 minutes
- Number 26, D. Okagbue
- Number 3, L. Gordon
- Number 22, J. Jellis , Yellow Card at 45 minutes plus 2
- Number 25, R. Stirk , substituted for B. Comley at 85 minutes
- Number 4, O. McEntee , Yellow Card at 29 minutes, substituted for C. Lakin at 68 minutes
- Number 2, C. Barrett
- Number 7, N. Lowe , substituted for D. Johnson at 85 minutes
- Number 9, J. Matt , Captain, substituted for A. Adomah at 75 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 37, A. Adomah
- Number 14, B. Comley
- Number 5, D. Daniels
- Number 12, S. Hornby
- Number 39, D. Johnson
- Number 8, C. Lakin
- Number 30, E. Weir
away team, Tranmere Rovers
Manager: Nigel Adkins
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, McGee, Goalkeeper
22, O'Connor, Defender
5, Davies, Defender
6, Turnbull, Defender
2, Norman, Midfielder
17, Finley, Midfielder
7, Morris, Midfielder
3, Bradshaw, Midfielder
18, Jennings, Attacking Midfielder
14, Dennis, Attacking Midfielder
19, Saunders, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, L. McGee
- Number 6, J. Turnbull , Yellow Card at 22 minutes
- Number 5, T. Davies , Captain, Yellow Card at 23 minutes
- Number 22, L. O'Connor , substituted for S. Khan at 69 minutes
- Number 3, Z. Bradshaw , substituted for C. Wood at 85 minutes
- Number 7, K. Morris , substituted for S. Solomon at 85 minutes
- Number 17, S. Finley , Two Yellow Cards at 38 minutes
- Number 2, C. Norman
- Number 14, K. Dennis , Yellow Card at 29 minutes, substituted for O. Patrick at 69 minutes
- Number 18, C. Jennings
- Number 19, H. Saunders , substituted for J. Davison at 69 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 10, J. Davison
- Number 35, D. Drysdale
- Number 28, S. Khan
- Number 13, J. Murphy
- Number 30, O. Patrick
- Number 21, S. Solomon
- Number 23, C. Wood
- Referee:
- Jeremy Simpson
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Declan O'Shea
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Ryan Williams
- Fourth Official:
- Robert Massey-Ellis
Match Officials
Match Stats
Key, Walsall v TranmereOverall possession
Shots
Walsall 21Tranmere Rovers 11Advanced match stats
Try our advanced match stats, including in-depth attacking and defensive stats
Shots
Walsall 21Tranmere Rovers 11Shots on target
Walsall 10Tranmere Rovers 1Shots off target
Walsall 6Tranmere Rovers 3Blocked shots
Walsall 5Tranmere Rovers 7Attempts out of box
Walsall 8Tranmere Rovers 3Total offside
Walsall 4Tranmere Rovers 0Total tackles
Walsall 25Tranmere Rovers 10Won tackles
Walsall 18Tranmere Rovers 7Fouls
Walsall 11Tranmere Rovers 11Total yellow cards
Walsall 2Tranmere Rovers 3Total clearances
Walsall 40Tranmere Rovers 35Headed clearances
Walsall 18Tranmere Rovers 23Duels won
Walsall 73Tranmere Rovers 57Errors leading to shots
Walsall 2Tranmere Rovers 1Total passes
Walsall 326Tranmere Rovers 396Accurate passes
Walsall 246Tranmere Rovers 304Backward passes
Walsall 44Tranmere Rovers 63Forward passes
Walsall 123Tranmere Rovers 145Total long balls
Walsall 62Tranmere Rovers 71Successful final third passes
Walsall 84Tranmere Rovers 62Total crosses
Walsall 17Tranmere Rovers 16Touches
Walsall 547Tranmere Rovers 603Touches in the box
Walsall 30Tranmere Rovers 30Dispossessed
Walsall 5Tranmere Rovers 19Goalkeeper saves
Walsall 0Tranmere Rovers 5Diving saves
Walsall 0Tranmere Rovers 2Saved shots from inside the box
Walsall 0Tranmere Rovers 2Saved shots from outside the box
Walsall 0Tranmere Rovers 3Keeper throws
Walsall 1Tranmere Rovers 4Goal kicks
Walsall 2Tranmere Rovers 10Season so far
League Two
Key, Walsall v Tranmere
League position, Walsall 1st, Tranmere Rovers 22ndTotal points, Walsall 63, Tranmere Rovers 28
Goals scored
Walsall 59Tranmere Rovers 22Form guide
All competitions
Walsall won
v Notts County
1
2
League Two
Tranmere Rovers won
v Carlisle United
1
0
League Two
Walsall won
v Newport County
2
0
League Two
Tranmere Rovers lose
v Morecambe
2
0
League Two
Walsall won
v Doncaster Rovers
2
0
League Two
Tranmere Rovers draw
v Barrow
1
1
League Two
Walsall won
v Harrogate Town
0
2
League Two
Tranmere Rovers lose
v Doncaster Rovers
3
1
League Two
Walsall won
v Barrow
1
0
League Two
Tranmere Rovers won
v Harrogate Town
2
1
League Two
Previous meetings
All competitions
Walsall and Tranmere RoversWalsall Won 13Tranmere Rovers Won 12Draw 9
Played
34
Previous scores
All competitions
League Two
Tranmere Rovers 1 , Walsall 0 on the 24th of August 2024
Tranmere Rovers
Walsall
24th of August 2024
Tranmere Rovers 1 , Walsall 3 on the 6th of April 2024
Tranmere Rovers
Walsall
6th of April 2024
Walsall 1 , Tranmere Rovers 0 on the 16th of December 2023
Walsall
Tranmere Rovers
16th of December 2023
- Skip back to previous scores
- Skip back to previous meetings
- Skip back to form guide
- Skip back to season so far
Match Facts
Walsall have lost just three of their last 13 league games against Tranmere Rovers (W7 D3), keeping five clean sheets during that time and never conceding more than one goal in a single match.
Tranmere Rovers have lost five of their last six away league games against Walsall (W1), with each of their last three defeats coming via a 1-0 scoreline.
Walsall have won their last four home league games and will be looking to win five in succession on home soil for the first time since November 2022.
Tranmere have lost each of their last five away league games, conceding 2+ goals in four of those matches. Rovers last endured a longer losing streak on the road between August and October 2023 (8 losses).