Euxton Villa U16 Black welcomed Burscough Dynamo U16 Yellow to the Jim Fowler Ground #1 on 28 September 2025 for an 11:30am kick-off in a league home match. Over the course of 80 minutes plus added time, Euxton Villa U16 Black produced a commanding display to secure a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
Euxton Villa lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, deploying Adam Tucker in goal. The defensive line consisted of Jack Shirley at right back, Harley Ashton and Colin Plewa as central defenders, and Finlay Mann on the left. Freddie Beanland operated as the holding central midfielder, shielding the back four. Ahead of him, the midfield quartet featured Archie Finch on the right wing, Ollie Bamber and Ethan Bingham centrally as attacking midfielders, and Roman Taylor on the left. William Murray led the line as the lone striker. The substitutes named were Atawullah Ehsani, Louis Grant, Jack Willett, and Oliver Gardner.
The 4-1-4-1 setup was designed to provide defensive solidity with Beanland anchoring midfield, while the attacking midfielders and wingers were expected to support Murray up front, creating chances and pressing high. The full-backs, Shirley and Mann, were tasked with both defensive duties and providing width when possible.
The match began with Euxton Villa immediately asserting themselves. Within two minutes, Ollie Bamber tested the Burscough goalkeeper with a shot that was comfortably saved. Early on, William Murray was flagged offside twice, at four and six minutes, though the first decision was questionable and later deemed incorrect. Despite this, the forward’s movement was a constant threat.
Euxton’s breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Ethan Bingham delivered a precise header assist into the box, which central defender Harley Ashton met with a powerful header to open the scoring. The goal was a testament to the team’s set-piece threat and Ashton’s aerial prowess.
Shortly after, Ashton committed a foul by allegedly charging an opponent but no real danger was created. Euxton continued to press, with Bamber attempting another effort in the 14th minute, this time sailing high over the bar.
In the 32nd minute, an injury forced an early substitution as Atawullah Ehsani replaced Ethan Bingham due to him hitting his head against the floor. Despite the disruption, Euxton maintained their attacking momentum. Roman Taylor’s shot was saved by the Burscough keeper a minute later, but Taylor himself was substituted five minutes on due to an injury to his groin, with Bingham being sufficiently recovered from his shaken head returning to the field.
Adam Tucker was called into action in the 38th minute, producing a full-stretch save to deny Burscough a chance, keeping the clean sheet intact heading into half-time.
At the interval, Euxton made tactical changes, bringing on Louis Grant for Colin Plewa and Jack Willett for Freddie Beanland to freshen the side. William Murray was again flagged offside in the 41st minute for a mistimed run, a decision that was once again judged incorrect, and later apologised for.
Euxton’s attacking intent remained clear as Atawullah Ehsani fired a high attempt in the 43rd minute. Early in the second half, Ethan Bingham was caught offside in the 48th minute, a correct call due to poor concentration.
The physicality of the match increased with Archie Finch committing a trip in the 50th minute and Jack Shirley a late tackle in the 56th, neither resulting in penalties. Oliver Gardner also committed a foul for climbing in the 57th minute.
In the 53rd minute, Oliver Gardner replaced William Murray in a tactical switch and immediately tested the keeper with a saved shot. Moments later, Euxton doubled their lead as Archie Finch scored inside the box, finishing neatly with his right foot after a well-delivered cross from Ethan Bingham.
The third goal arrived in the 63rd minute from a goalmouth scramble following a corner, with Harley Ashton again on the scoresheet, this time slotting home from close range with his right foot, assisted by Bingham’s corner delivery.
Euxton continued to rotate their squad with William Murray returning for Bingham in the 64th minute and Freddie Beanland replacing Ollie Bamber two minutes later to maintain energy and control. Bamber himself then returned to the field shortly after as Atawullah had to come off due to receiving a knock.
The final goal came in the 73rd minute when Ollie Bamber finished inside the box with a right-footed strike, assisted by a precise cross from Archie Finch, sealing a dominant 4-0 victory for Euxton Villa U16 Black.
3 players received MOTM today, Archie Finch, who was solid throughout, Harley Ashton for defensive prowess and securing 2 goals from set pieces and Ollie Bamber for strength across the Center of the pitch.
Throughout the match, Euxton Villa’s tactical discipline, combined with clinical finishing and solid defensive work, ensured a convincing win over Burscough Dynamo U16 Yellow. The team’s ability to adapt through substitutions and maintain pressure was key to their success on the day.
