In a thrilling friendly encounter at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground on 6th July 2025, Euxton Villa U16 Black faced off against Radcliffe JFC Foundation U15 Allstars, ultimately succumbing to a narrow 3-2 defeat. The match, which kicked off at 11:00 am, showcased a blend of youthful exuberance and tactical acumen, with both teams displaying their attacking prowess and defensive resilience.
Euxton Villa lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for quick transitions into attack. Adam Tucker took his position in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Alex Howarth on the right, Harley Ashton and Louis Grant in central defence, and Finlay Mann on the left. The midfield was structured with Lucas Harvey on the right, Ollie Bamber and Jack Willett centrally, and Junior Cummins on the left, while Ethan Bingham operated just behind the lone striker, William Murray, who was tasked with leading the line and finishing off chances.
The substitutes for Euxton Villa included Jack Shirley, Oliver Gardner, and Roman Taylor, who would later play pivotal roles in the match as tactical changes were made.
The match began with an explosive start, as Radcliffe JFC took the lead just three minutes in, with a well-placed left-footed strike that caught the Euxton defence off guard. This early setback forced Euxton Villa to regroup quickly, and they responded with intent. Ethan Bingham, showing his attacking flair, attempted to level the score in the seventh minute, but his effort sailed high over the crossbar.
Radcliffe JFC doubled their advantage in the 16th minute with a stunning long-range strike from the right foot of one of their forwards, leaving Tucker with little chance to react. The two-goal deficit seemed to galvanise Euxton Villa, who began to push forward with more urgency. In the 22nd minute, William Murray had a chance to pull one back, but his shot was saved by the Radcliffe goalkeeper. Moments later, however, Murray was awarded a penalty after being fouled in the box, and Bingham confidently converted it with his right foot, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
As the first half progressed, Harley Ashton committed a foul in the 37th minute, but fortunately for Euxton Villa, it did not result in a penalty. The half concluded with Radcliffe JFC leading 2-1, leaving Euxton Villa with a mountain to climb in the second half.
The second half saw immediate tactical changes from Euxton Villa, with Oliver Gardner, Jack Shirley, and Roman Taylor all introduced shortly after the restart. The substitutions aimed to inject fresh energy into the side and bolster their attacking options. Just a minute after the substitutions, William Murray came agonisingly close to equalising, hitting the post with a powerful effort.
As the match wore on, both teams exchanged attempts, with Gardner's shot being saved in the 54th minute, followed by another saved effort from Murray just a minute later. The pressure was mounting on the Radcliffe defence, but they held firm until the 64th minute when Radcliffe JFC struck again, this time with a brilliant solo goal that extended their lead to 3-1.
Despite the setback, Euxton Villa refused to back down. In the 66th minute, Oliver Gardner found the back of the net with a well-placed right-footed shot inside the box, assisted by Bingham's clever short pass. This goal reignited hope for Euxton Villa, bringing the score to 3-2.
As the match drew to a close, Euxton Villa pushed for an equaliser, but time was not on their side. Despite their valiant efforts, they were unable to find the crucial third goal, and the match ended with Radcliffe JFC celebrating a hard-fought victory. The final score reflected a competitive encounter, with both teams showcasing their talents and determination on the pitch.
Alex Howarth, found himself gaining MOTM today with his stalwart performance at right back.
