The Jim Fowler Ground was the stage for an intense league clash on 9th March 2025, where Euxton Villa U15 Black faced off against Fulwood Amateur U15 Blue. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination throughout the 80 minutes of play.
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 place in goal, with a back four comprising Alex Howarth on the right, Finlay Mann on the left, and central defenders Harley Ashton and Colin Plewa. In midfield, Lucas Harvey operated on the right, with Harry Clarke and Junior Cummins in central roles, while Jayden Moffatt occupied the left flank. Up front, Ethan Bingham played just behind the lone striker, William Murray, who was tasked with leading the line.
The substitutes for Euxton Villa included Jack Shirley, Freddie Beanland, Roman Taylor, Zak Whalley, and Oliver Gardner, all of whom would be called upon to make an impact as the match unfolded.
The match kicked off with an early scare for Euxton Villa as Adam Tucker was forced into action just a minute in, tipping a powerful shot over the bar to keep the score level. However, Fulwood Amateur struck first in the second minute, taking the lead with a well-placed right-footed shot that left Tucker with no chance.
As the game progressed, tensions rose, and the physicality of the match became evident. Colin Plewa was penalised for a trip in the sixth minute, but no penalty was awarded. Fulwood's aggression was met with a yellow card in the 14th minute for denying a goalscoring opportunity, a sign of the high stakes involved.
In a pivotal moment, William Murray had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot in the 15th minute, but his effort was saved, leaving Euxton Villa still trailing. Ethan Bingham then began to assert his influence on the game, delivering a key long pass in the 19th minute that created a significant chance for his side.
The match continued to be fiercely contested, with Harley Ashton receiving a yellow card for unsporting behaviour in the 20th minute. The physicality did not let up, as Alex Howarth was penalised for holding in the 24th minute, followed by Junior Cummins being called for obstruction in the 30th minute. Harry Clarke also found himself on the referee's radar for a high tackle in the 32nd minute.
As the first half drew to a close, tactical substitutions were made by Euxton Villa, with Roman Taylor, Freddie Beanland, and Jack Shirley all coming on at the start of the second half. The half-time whistle blew with Fulwood leading 1-0, but the game was far from over.
The second half began with a flurry of activity, including an offside call against Lucas Harvey in the 50th minute, which was deemed incorrect. Harley Ashton then scored a sweet volley from a Zak Whalley free kick but this was flagged for offside, again with the decision being questionable.
Another cross converted into the net by means of a back post header by William Murray, only to be disallowed by another questionable offside decision in the 67th minute. Then just 2 minutes later, in the 69th minute, Roman Taylor brought the home side level with a stunning lob from just inside the box, assisted by Zak Whalley’s long pass. The equaliser sent the home crowd into raptures, as Euxton Villa now had momentum on their side.
Zak Whalley was involved again shortly after, attempting a shot in the 70th minute, but it was saved by the Fulwood goalkeeper. Adam Tucker then showcased his goalkeeping prowess with a point-blank reaction save in the 71st minute, keeping the scores level.
As the match entered its final stages, Will Murray put the ball in the back of the net with a header but was again flagged for offside in the 74th minute, with the decision being questioned once more. Roman Taylor was cautioned for a late tackle in the 75th minute, while Jack Shirley made a crucial defensive tackle in the 76th minute to prevent a Fulwood chance.
The final minutes saw Oliver Gardner penalised for a late tackle and a handball in the 79th minute, but neither foul resulted in a penalty. As the referee blew the final whistle, both teams were left to reflect on a hard-fought draw, with Ethan Bingham earning the Player of the Match accolade for his influential performance in midfield.
