In a closely contested friendly match at the Griffin Football Ground on 13 July 2025, Euxton Villa U16 Black faced off against Glenside Juniors, ultimately succumbing to a 3-2 defeat. The match kicked off at 11:00 am, with both teams eager to showcase their talents in this 11-a-side encounter.
Euxton Villa adopted a 4-5-1 formation, designed to bolster their midfield presence while maintaining a solid defensive line. Adam Tucker took his position in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Alex Howarth on the right, Colin Plewa and Harley Ashton in central defence, and Finlay Mann on the left. The midfield was packed with Ethan Bingham, Freddie Beanland, and Ollie Bamber in central roles, flanked by Jack Shirley on the right and Roman Taylor on the left. Up front, William Murray was tasked with leading the line as the sole striker. The formation aimed to provide a balance between defence and attack, with the midfield trio expected to control the tempo and create opportunities for Murray.
The substitutes for the match included Lucas Harvey and Oliver Gardner, who would later play pivotal roles in the game.
The match began with a flurry of activity, as Glenside Juniors struck early, scoring their first goal just three minutes in. This was quickly followed by a second goal in the sixth minute, as the opponents capitalised on a defensive lapse, putting Euxton Villa on the back foot.
Ethan Bingham attempted to respond for Euxton Villa in the 18th minute, but his effort went wide, reflecting the mounting pressure on the team. Glenside Juniors continued to dominate, scoring a third goal in the 21st minute with a solo effort that left the Villa defence scrambling.
In a tactical response, Euxton Villa made two substitutions in the 21st minute, bringing on Lucas Harvey for Roman Taylor and Oliver Gardner for Colin Plewa. This change aimed to inject fresh energy into the team and shore up their defensive capabilities.
As the first half progressed, Euxton Villa began to find their footing. In the 38th minute, they finally broke through Glenside's defence when William Murray scored from close range, assisted by Ethan Bingham from a corner. This goal injected a sense of hope into the Villa camp as they headed into half-time with a score of 3-1.
The second half saw Euxton Villa come out with renewed determination. Just after the break, Bingham had a chance to narrow the deficit further, but his shot was saved in the 48th minute. Oliver Gardner also attempted to make an impact in the 51st minute, but his effort went wide of the target.
However, it was Bingham who struck again in the 58th minute, scoring a well-crafted goal following a back-heel assist from Murray. This team move showcased the growing synergy between the Villa players and brought the score to 3-2, reigniting hopes of a comeback.
As the match wore on, William Murray had another chance to equalise in the 61st minute, but his shot went wide. Harley Ashton also tested the Glenside goalkeeper in the 64th minute, but his attempt was saved, keeping the scoreline intact.
In the 69th minute, Euxton Villa was forced to make another substitution due to injury, with Finlay Mann coming on for Jack Shirley. Despite their best efforts, the Villa side could not find the equaliser, and the match concluded with Glenside Juniors claiming a narrow victory.
Ollie Bamber was recognised for his outstanding performance throughout the match, demonstrating skill and tenacity in midfield. The game served as a valuable experience for Euxton Villa U16 Black, who will look to build on their performance in future fixtures.
