In a competitive league encounter at the Jim Fowler Ground #1 on 7th September 2025, Euxton Villa U16 Black faced off against Cadley U16 Red, ultimately succumbing to a 3-1 defeat. The match kicked off at 11:30 am, with both teams eager to secure vital points in the league standings.
Euxton Villa lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flexibility. Adam Tucker took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Alex Howarth on the right, Louis Grant and Jack Shirley in central defence, and Finlay Mann on the left. Freddie Beanland operated as a central midfielder, tasked with linking play between defence and attack. The attacking midfield trio featured Lucas Harvey on the right, Ollie Bamber in the centre, and Roman Taylor on the left, while Archie Finch led the line as the lone striker. The substitutes for the match included Frank Cooper, Colin Plewa, and Oliver Gardner.
The match began with Cadley U16 Red asserting their dominance early on. Just nine minutes in, they opened the scoring with a well-placed left-footed shot that found the back of the net. The visitors continued to apply pressure, and by the 15th minute, they doubled their lead with a stunning long-range strike from outside the box, this time executed with the right foot.
Despite the early setbacks, Euxton Villa responded positively. In the 17th minute, Archie Finch pulled one back for the home side, latching onto a long pass from Ethan Bingham and expertly lobbing the ball over the Cadley goalkeeper. This goal injected a sense of belief into the Villa players, who began to push forward in search of an equaliser.
However, the match took a turn for the worse for Euxton Villa when Ethan Bingham was penalised for a trip in the 23rd minute, although no penalty was awarded. The situation worsened for the home side when Alex Howarth had to be substituted due to injury, with Frank Cooper coming on in the 30th minute.
As the first half drew to a close, the score remained 2-1 in favour of Cadley, and the teams headed into the break with the visitors holding the advantage. The second half commenced with Adam Tucker making a full-stretch save in the 49th minute, showcasing his agility and determination to keep his side in the game. Just a minute later, he was called into action again, producing a remarkable point-blank reaction save to deny Cadley a third goal.
Despite Tucker's heroics, the pressure from Cadley was relentless. In the 54th minute, Louis Grant was cautioned for a late tackle, adding to the frustrations of the Villa side. Tactical changes were made shortly after, with Colin Plewa replacing Jack Shirley and Roman Taylor coming off for Oliver Gardner in the 67th minute.
As the match progressed, Euxton Villa struggled to find their rhythm. Oliver Gardner had a chance in the 55th minute but sent his attempt high over the bar. In the 72nd minute, Freddie Beanland was brought on for the injured Ethan Bingham, further disrupting the home side's flow.
Louis Grant found himself in the referee's sights again in the 77th minute for another late tackle, as the match became increasingly physical. Adam Tucker continued to be the standout performer for Euxton Villa, making yet another impressive save in the 81st minute, but the visitors were relentless.
In the 83rd minute, Cadley sealed their victory with a close-range tap-in, extending their lead to 3-1. Despite the scoreline, Euxton Villa continued to fight until the final whistle, but they were unable to find a way back into the match. The final moments saw Tucker once again called into action, but the damage had already been done.
The match concluded with Cadley U16 Red taking all three points, leaving Euxton Villa U16 Black to reflect on a challenging encounter as they look to regroup for their next fixture.
