In a closely contested league match at Fulwood Academy #2 on 26 January 2025, Euxton Villa U15 Black faced off against Longsands JFC U15 Blue, resulting in a 1-1 draw. The match kicked off at 11:00 am, with both teams eager to secure vital points in the league standings.
Euxton Villa adopted a 4-5-1 formation, with Adam Tucker stationed in goal. The defensive line comprised Alex Howarth and Finlay Mann as left and right defenders respectively, while Colin Plewa and Louis Grant formed the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Lucas Harvey, Oliver Gardner, Freddie Beanland, and Junior Cummins operated centrally, with Roman Taylor providing width on the left and William Murray leading the line as the lone striker.
The substitutes for Euxton Villa included Zak Whalley, Owen Bargh, Jayden Moffatt, Luke Whelan, and Ollie Warner, who were poised to make an impact should the need arise.
The match began with both sides probing for openings, but it was Euxton Villa who struck first. In the 20th minute, Lucas Harvey delivered a precise short pass to William Murray, who found himself in close range. With a deft touch, Murray dispatched the ball into the net with his right foot, giving Euxton Villa a 1-0 lead and sending their supporters into raptures.
However, the joy was short-lived as Roman Taylor was forced off the pitch due to injury in the 31st minute, making way for Zak Whalley. The first half concluded with Euxton Villa holding onto their slender advantage, but the match was far from over.
As the second half commenced, tactical changes were made by Euxton Villa. Just after the break, in the 41st minute, Owen Bargh replaced Louis Grant, while Jayden Moffatt came on for Alex Howarth, both substitutions aimed at bolstering the team's performance.
The tactical reshuffle continued with Luke Whelan entering the fray for Junior Cummins in the 50th minute, followed by Ollie Warner taking over from Oliver Gardner in the 58th minute. These changes were indicative of Euxton Villa's intent to maintain their lead and control the midfield.
However, Longsands JFC were not to be outdone. In the 65th minute, they were awarded a penalty, which they converted with a well-placed shot using the right foot, bringing the score to 1-1. This goal injected new life into the match, as both teams sought to find a winner in the remaining minutes.
In the 69th minute, Junior Cummins returned to the pitch, replacing Freddie Beanland as Euxton Villa looked to regain their earlier momentum. The final minutes were tense, with both teams creating chances but failing to find the decisive goal.
As the referee, John Britton, brought the match to a close, both teams were left to reflect on a hard-fought draw. Lucas Harvey's 1st half performance stood out, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match for his pivotal role in midfield and his assist for the opening goal. The match showcased the competitive spirit of youth football, with both sides demonstrating skill and determination throughout the encounter.
