Euxton Villa U16 Black travelled to Penwortham Priory Academy on 21 September 2025 for an 80-minute league clash against Penwortham St Teresas U16, kicking off at 2:00pm. The visitors emerged with a commanding 6-2 victory in a pulsating encounter refereed by Ethan Iddon.
Euxton Villa lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, deploying Adam Tucker in goal. The defensive line consisted of Alex Howarth at right back, Colin Plewa and Louis Grant as central defenders, and Finlay Mann on the left. Frank Cooper started as the holding central midfielder, shielding the back four. Ahead of him, the midfield quartet featured Lucas Harvey on the right wing, Ollie Bamber and Ethan Bingham occupying central attacking midfield roles, and Roman Taylor on the left. Leading the line was Oliver Gardner as the lone striker. The substitutes available were Jack Willett, Jack Shirley, Freddie Beanland, Atawullah Ehsani, and William Murray.
From the outset, Euxton Villa showed intent. Within the first minute, Roman Taylor tested the goalkeeper with a shot that was comfortably saved. Oliver Gardner followed suit with a saved attempt in the fifth minute. Unfortunately, early on, Frank Cooper was forced off injured and replaced by Jack Willett, prompting an early tactical adjustment.
Taylor remained a constant threat, firing over the bar at the tenth minute, while Ethan Bingham’s effort was saved at the twelfth. The breakthrough came in the 15th minute when Bingham’s short pass found Taylor inside the box, who coolly finished with his left foot to open the scoring. The visitors doubled their lead immediately after, with Alex Howarth delivering a precise cross that Gardner met with a powerful header in the 16th minute.
Euxton continued to press, with Bingham shaking the woodwork at 27 minutes with a thunderous shot, but the half closed with the visitors firmly in control at 2-0. At the interval, tactical substitutions saw Freddie Beanland, Atawullah Ehsani, Jack Shirley, and William Murray introduced for Jack Willett, Lucas Harvey, Colin Plewa, and Oliver Gardner respectively, signalling a fresh approach for the second half.
Penwortham St Teresas pulled one back swiftly after the restart in the 42nd minute, capitalising on a goalmouth scramble to score from close range with their left foot. However, Euxton responded immediately as Ethan Bingham netted in the 46th minute, assisted by William Murray’s short pass, restoring their two-goal cushion.
The visitors’ lead was cut again in the 52nd minute when Penwortham scored a header, keeping the contest alive. Adam Tucker was called into action with a sharp dive at 55 minutes to deny a close-range effort, demonstrating his alertness between the sticks.
Euxton’s goalkeeper then stepped up to score a penalty in the 59th minute, calmly slotting home with his right foot to extend the lead to 4-2. Tactical changes continued as Colin Plewa returned to the field, replacing Finlay Mann at 65 minutes.
Bingham was again on target in the 70th minute, tapping in a neat finish from a short pass by Murray. Roman Taylor made way for Oliver Gardner shortly after, maintaining the attacking threat. Bingham’s persistence nearly yielded another goal at 74 minutes, but his shot was saved.
Moments later, William Murray sealed the emphatic victory with a tap-in from a long pass by Alex Howarth, rounding off a dominant display. The final whistle confirmed a 6-2 win for Euxton Villa U16 Black, a result built on clinical finishing and tactical flexibility.
Ethan Bingham and Roman Taylor were standout performers, both contributing significantly to the scoreline and overall attacking play. Their combined efforts ensured Euxton Villa left Penwortham Priory Academy with all three points in a memorable league encounter.
