Sunday 24 February 2008
Saturday 16 February 2008
Cumnor U7s v Summertown Stars (friendly) Sat 16th Feb
Cumnor Firepower Gives Summertown the Winter Blues
A beautiful, bitterly cold morning greeted Cumnor's first trip to Cutteslowe Park. With key players Adam, Ben Mc and Binky absent, Cumnor had to be at their organized best to get past a forceful Summertown.
In the first match, Cumnor began with Ollie in goal, Rory in defence, Will, Ben, James E and Adam W in midfield and sharpshooter Fyn up front. From the kick-off it was obvious that both teams were evenly matched. The game started at a frantic pace with the frost covered pitch causing problems for both sets of players. Summertown launched the first real attack of the game with Ollie saving well from flying winger, Max. As in previous weeks, Cumnor held their shape and tried to stick to the passing game that has served us well. James E was lively early on, calmly directing play from central midfield. Rory once more was rock solid at the back and his no nonsense attitude rubbed off on his teammates. Will showed terrific tenacity in midfield, stealing the ball away from a Summertown player before threading a lovely pass through to Fyn. With just the goalie to beat, Fyn made no mistake. 1-0.
Unlike previous matches, the first goal didn't open the floodgates for Cumnor with Summertown more than matching the Blues in the possession stakes. Yet Cumnor were the more threatening, with Ben and Will linking well to set up Fyn who forced a good save from the keeper.
In the second-half, tinkermen Tim and Dave put Will at the back (for a breather), pushed Rory into midfield (who'd been lobbying hard to break out of defence) and swapped Ben for Ollie in goal. James broke up another Summertown attack and sent Ollie off down the park with another great pass. Summertown pushed on in search of the equaliser and would have got it but for some match defining heroics from Ben in goal. Inspired by Ben's save, Cumnor pressed on and got the ever dangerous Fyn into a goalscoring position. Naturally, he scored. 2-0.
At the re-start, a battling Adam W made way for the all-action Henry who flew straight into the fight making a series of solid blocks. But still Summertown attacked and would have scored but for James' superb goal-line clearance. With the ball pinging up and down the pitch (and the boys becoming increasingly breathless), Will teed up Rory who just went wide with his effort. Both Will and Fyn went close before Will skipped through a gap and scored a lovely goal with his trusty left foot. 3-0.
With Cumnor in control the chances continued to come. Fyn played Rory in and our star defender turned goal poacher supreme scored. 4-0. Nice strike rate, Rory. Fyn almost got another hat-trick after a blistering run and cross from the left wing by Will.
With the game drawing to a close, James threaded a neat ball into Will who beat one man and then managed to keep his composure and hit the ball over the goalie as he fell. 5-0.
A comprehensive win in the first game put added pressure on Cumnor for the second match with Summertown determined to get their revenge. With Rory in goal, Henry & Joe in defence, James, Laurie and Ben in midfield and skipper Toby up front.
Toby set a captain's example and almost got Cumnor off to a flying start with a smart effort on goal. Both teams sought the early advantage and it took a piece of quick thinking by Rory to clear his box quickly and launch the attack which eventually set Ben up to score the first goal with a powerful shot. 1-0.
Cumnor strived to dominate the game, pouncing on the midfield scraps and turning defence into attack. Joe was alert to any threat at the back and Henry continued to make his trademark thrusting runs. The ball broke free at the edge of the Summertown box and a ferocious shot pole-axed Toby. With ref Tim about to blow so Toby could get attention, he noticed his son Ben latch onto the rebound and crash the ball home. The whistle never came. Good advantage there ref... and a great assist, Toby! 2-0.
Summertown upped the pace at this point and went close before some clever thinking by Henry saw him intercept an attack, look up and then play the pass of the day to Toby who ran on and on to score a superb goal. 3-0.
From the re-start, Summertown threw everything forward put Cumnor under tremendous pressure. A combination of Rory and his defenders kept out three goalbound chances before eventually, the ball crept in over the line. 3-1.
In the second-half, Will went in goal and Ollie came on for Ben. Despite having the two goal advantage, Cumnor started slowly and were soon under the kosh. A good Summertown move saw their dangerous striker through on goal. Unfortunately, Dave (standing behind the goal)distracted his son and Will was beaten low to his left. Sorry, son! 3-2.
With the midfield battle intensifying, Laurie and Henry came into their own. James S - growing in confidence with every touch - made some excellent tackles and his balance and flicks bamboozled the Summertown players. Good midfield work saw Toby break free and score his second with a screaming shot. 4-2.
Cumnor were almost home and dry and an arcing run by Laurie gave Ollie a chance from wide right in the box. With little time to settle himself, Ollie hit a good shot which unfortunately found the side-netting. In the last few minutes, Adam W replaced a shattered Henry who had literally run himself into the ground. Adam made a good tackle which set Laurie up on another of his bullocking runs. With options running out he just managed to squeeze the ball through to Ollie who scored with a fine shot. 5-2. Final whistle.
Another excellent squad performance by Cumnor. We saw everything today: great finishing, strong tackles, brave saves, wonderful passing. The scorelines might imply easy wins for both teams but they weren't. We were in a real match against Summertown and the players will have learnt a lot about their character, resolve and coolness under pressure. We just need to talk to each other on the pitch now...
Player of the Week: for a complete all-action performance (passing, tackling, running and goalscoring) Will.
A beautiful, bitterly cold morning greeted Cumnor's first trip to Cutteslowe Park. With key players Adam, Ben Mc and Binky absent, Cumnor had to be at their organized best to get past a forceful Summertown.
In the first match, Cumnor began with Ollie in goal, Rory in defence, Will, Ben, James E and Adam W in midfield and sharpshooter Fyn up front. From the kick-off it was obvious that both teams were evenly matched. The game started at a frantic pace with the frost covered pitch causing problems for both sets of players. Summertown launched the first real attack of the game with Ollie saving well from flying winger, Max. As in previous weeks, Cumnor held their shape and tried to stick to the passing game that has served us well. James E was lively early on, calmly directing play from central midfield. Rory once more was rock solid at the back and his no nonsense attitude rubbed off on his teammates. Will showed terrific tenacity in midfield, stealing the ball away from a Summertown player before threading a lovely pass through to Fyn. With just the goalie to beat, Fyn made no mistake. 1-0.
Unlike previous matches, the first goal didn't open the floodgates for Cumnor with Summertown more than matching the Blues in the possession stakes. Yet Cumnor were the more threatening, with Ben and Will linking well to set up Fyn who forced a good save from the keeper.
In the second-half, tinkermen Tim and Dave put Will at the back (for a breather), pushed Rory into midfield (who'd been lobbying hard to break out of defence) and swapped Ben for Ollie in goal. James broke up another Summertown attack and sent Ollie off down the park with another great pass. Summertown pushed on in search of the equaliser and would have got it but for some match defining heroics from Ben in goal. Inspired by Ben's save, Cumnor pressed on and got the ever dangerous Fyn into a goalscoring position. Naturally, he scored. 2-0.
At the re-start, a battling Adam W made way for the all-action Henry who flew straight into the fight making a series of solid blocks. But still Summertown attacked and would have scored but for James' superb goal-line clearance. With the ball pinging up and down the pitch (and the boys becoming increasingly breathless), Will teed up Rory who just went wide with his effort. Both Will and Fyn went close before Will skipped through a gap and scored a lovely goal with his trusty left foot. 3-0.
With Cumnor in control the chances continued to come. Fyn played Rory in and our star defender turned goal poacher supreme scored. 4-0. Nice strike rate, Rory. Fyn almost got another hat-trick after a blistering run and cross from the left wing by Will.
With the game drawing to a close, James threaded a neat ball into Will who beat one man and then managed to keep his composure and hit the ball over the goalie as he fell. 5-0.
A comprehensive win in the first game put added pressure on Cumnor for the second match with Summertown determined to get their revenge. With Rory in goal, Henry & Joe in defence, James, Laurie and Ben in midfield and skipper Toby up front.
Toby set a captain's example and almost got Cumnor off to a flying start with a smart effort on goal. Both teams sought the early advantage and it took a piece of quick thinking by Rory to clear his box quickly and launch the attack which eventually set Ben up to score the first goal with a powerful shot. 1-0.
Cumnor strived to dominate the game, pouncing on the midfield scraps and turning defence into attack. Joe was alert to any threat at the back and Henry continued to make his trademark thrusting runs. The ball broke free at the edge of the Summertown box and a ferocious shot pole-axed Toby. With ref Tim about to blow so Toby could get attention, he noticed his son Ben latch onto the rebound and crash the ball home. The whistle never came. Good advantage there ref... and a great assist, Toby! 2-0.
Summertown upped the pace at this point and went close before some clever thinking by Henry saw him intercept an attack, look up and then play the pass of the day to Toby who ran on and on to score a superb goal. 3-0.
From the re-start, Summertown threw everything forward put Cumnor under tremendous pressure. A combination of Rory and his defenders kept out three goalbound chances before eventually, the ball crept in over the line. 3-1.
In the second-half, Will went in goal and Ollie came on for Ben. Despite having the two goal advantage, Cumnor started slowly and were soon under the kosh. A good Summertown move saw their dangerous striker through on goal. Unfortunately, Dave (standing behind the goal)distracted his son and Will was beaten low to his left. Sorry, son! 3-2.
With the midfield battle intensifying, Laurie and Henry came into their own. James S - growing in confidence with every touch - made some excellent tackles and his balance and flicks bamboozled the Summertown players. Good midfield work saw Toby break free and score his second with a screaming shot. 4-2.
Cumnor were almost home and dry and an arcing run by Laurie gave Ollie a chance from wide right in the box. With little time to settle himself, Ollie hit a good shot which unfortunately found the side-netting. In the last few minutes, Adam W replaced a shattered Henry who had literally run himself into the ground. Adam made a good tackle which set Laurie up on another of his bullocking runs. With options running out he just managed to squeeze the ball through to Ollie who scored with a fine shot. 5-2. Final whistle.
Another excellent squad performance by Cumnor. We saw everything today: great finishing, strong tackles, brave saves, wonderful passing. The scorelines might imply easy wins for both teams but they weren't. We were in a real match against Summertown and the players will have learnt a lot about their character, resolve and coolness under pressure. We just need to talk to each other on the pitch now...
Player of the Week: for a complete all-action performance (passing, tackling, running and goalscoring) Will.
Next week: no training (half-term)
Tuesday 12 February 2008
Cumnor U7s v Summertown Stars (away) Sat Feb 16th
Two friendly fixtures arranged for Saturday the 16th. First kick-off 10.30. Please be at Cutteslowe Park by 10.10.
Saturday 9 February 2008
Cumnor U7s v Tower Hill U7s (friendly) 9th Feb 2008
Strength In Depth Key To Cumnor Win
Two excellent performances against a well-drilled Tower Hill saw Cumnor emerge deserved victors. For the first time this season, the Cumnor teams were mixed up and the results proved what the coaches long suspected; we have a very strong squad on our hands.
Match One
In the first game, Toby started in goal with Joe and Adam W in defence, Will, Ben C, Louis and skipper Adam M in midfield and Binky up front (yes, we did play 8-a-side). Tower Hill pressed from the start going close with an early effort. Joe and Adam had to maintain concentration to snuff out the opposition attacks. Cumnor soon got into the game, keeping their shape and passing the ball extremely well. Louis and Ben C were strong in central midfield with Will and Adam M raiding down the flanks. Cumnor took the lead when the ball broke through to Binky who calmly slotted it home. 1-0. From the re-start, Adam M made another storming run and crashed the ball against the post with Will just failing to latch onto the rebound. Minutes later, a smart piece of defending by Joe saw Louis take the ball, look up and thread a sublime pass through to Binky. Bouyed by his earlier goal, Binky kept his nerve and finished brilliantly. 2-0. Cumnor kept pushing and Will went down heavily in the box under a clumsy challenge (c'mon ref!) leaving Ben to force a save from the keeper.
In the second-half, two goal hero Binky went in goal and Toby replaced him up front. Cumnor were well on top now, controlling the game from midfield. Adam W tried to carry on bravely with an injured leg but had to make way for Rory. More Cumnor pressure saw Toby go close. Louis and Will linked up well leaving Will's cross to be smacked home by Ben C. 3-0. It would have been easy for Cumnor to ease off at this point but energetic bursts from Adam M and solid tackling by Ben, Will and Rory kept the impetus firmly with the home side. But Tower Hill kept fighting and a ball Cumnor felt was going out for a corner, hit the flag and stayed in play. We were too slow to react and a hopeful cross/shot just crept in past Binky's near post. 3-1. Cumnor kept pushing forward but with seconds left (3 according to the ref), Tower Hill broke free and scored another goal. 3-2. With the final whistle blown at kick-off, Cumnor breathed a collective sigh of relief to emerge winners: 3-2. Phew.
Match Two was even closer with Cumnor fielding Fyn, Rory, Laurie, James E, debutant James S, Ben Mc, Ollie and Henry. Cumnor started brightly with Ollie and James E driving forward from midfield. Cumnor had an early corner which Tower Hill just scrambled away. James went close with a smart shot and the ball bobbled around in the Tower Hill box. But Tower Hill soon got into their stride and strong tackling by Rory the Rock managed to keep them at bay. With both teams well matched the game started to get scrappy with all players fighting for the ball. Henry was charging around keen to be part of the action and put some excellent tackles in. Yet, for all the effort, Cumnor would have gone into half-time 2-0 down if it wasn't for two superb saves by Fyn; the first, a flying dive to his left and the second a smart block on the ground. His dad was heard to take the credit for son's goalkeeping prowess!
Cumnor re-organized in the second-half with James S volunteering (yes, volunteering!) to go in goal. With Henry desperate to be in the thick of everything he went to the back to partner Rory. Fyn leapt straight into the action up front but just over-ran the ball before he could strike. No matter, the next attack saw more good work by James E, putting a very solid tackle in before setting Fyn up to score the first goal. 1-0. As in previous matches, we needed a goal to spur us on and soon Ollie was through forcing a good save from the busy Tower Hill keeper. A second goal seemed increasingly likely and of course, it came from Fyn... calmly going through to claim his second of the match and his sixth in the last two games. Seconds later he could have had his hat-trick but for another good save. Tower Hill fought back with some dangerous attacks drawing some excellent defensive work from Henry and Rory. Ben Mc and Laurie were also getting stuck in, marauding through the midfield, breaking up attacks with some great interception play. With minutes left, a good Tower Hill attack saw the ball emerge in the Cumnor area. Despite the best efforts from James S, the ball hit a retreating Ollie and flew into the net. Don't worry Ollie, it won't count in your Golden Goal tally! The last attack of the game saw Fyn go close again but the whistle blew signalling an excellent 2-1 win. Fantastic!
Both matches prove that we have a versatile and talented squad. Tower Hill have had an excellent season and they certainly tested us to the limit. But we kept our heads, tackled, passed and held our shape. We didn't have that many chances but the ones we did, we took. Well done everyone... a great display!
Thanks also to Steve, Dave and James for helping out.
Player of the Week: arguably, the closest decision yet but we went with Binky for his superbly taken goals
Next week: Summertown All-Stars away. Details to follow.
Two excellent performances against a well-drilled Tower Hill saw Cumnor emerge deserved victors. For the first time this season, the Cumnor teams were mixed up and the results proved what the coaches long suspected; we have a very strong squad on our hands.
Match One
In the first game, Toby started in goal with Joe and Adam W in defence, Will, Ben C, Louis and skipper Adam M in midfield and Binky up front (yes, we did play 8-a-side). Tower Hill pressed from the start going close with an early effort. Joe and Adam had to maintain concentration to snuff out the opposition attacks. Cumnor soon got into the game, keeping their shape and passing the ball extremely well. Louis and Ben C were strong in central midfield with Will and Adam M raiding down the flanks. Cumnor took the lead when the ball broke through to Binky who calmly slotted it home. 1-0. From the re-start, Adam M made another storming run and crashed the ball against the post with Will just failing to latch onto the rebound. Minutes later, a smart piece of defending by Joe saw Louis take the ball, look up and thread a sublime pass through to Binky. Bouyed by his earlier goal, Binky kept his nerve and finished brilliantly. 2-0. Cumnor kept pushing and Will went down heavily in the box under a clumsy challenge (c'mon ref!) leaving Ben to force a save from the keeper.
In the second-half, two goal hero Binky went in goal and Toby replaced him up front. Cumnor were well on top now, controlling the game from midfield. Adam W tried to carry on bravely with an injured leg but had to make way for Rory. More Cumnor pressure saw Toby go close. Louis and Will linked up well leaving Will's cross to be smacked home by Ben C. 3-0. It would have been easy for Cumnor to ease off at this point but energetic bursts from Adam M and solid tackling by Ben, Will and Rory kept the impetus firmly with the home side. But Tower Hill kept fighting and a ball Cumnor felt was going out for a corner, hit the flag and stayed in play. We were too slow to react and a hopeful cross/shot just crept in past Binky's near post. 3-1. Cumnor kept pushing forward but with seconds left (3 according to the ref), Tower Hill broke free and scored another goal. 3-2. With the final whistle blown at kick-off, Cumnor breathed a collective sigh of relief to emerge winners: 3-2. Phew.
Match Two was even closer with Cumnor fielding Fyn, Rory, Laurie, James E, debutant James S, Ben Mc, Ollie and Henry. Cumnor started brightly with Ollie and James E driving forward from midfield. Cumnor had an early corner which Tower Hill just scrambled away. James went close with a smart shot and the ball bobbled around in the Tower Hill box. But Tower Hill soon got into their stride and strong tackling by Rory the Rock managed to keep them at bay. With both teams well matched the game started to get scrappy with all players fighting for the ball. Henry was charging around keen to be part of the action and put some excellent tackles in. Yet, for all the effort, Cumnor would have gone into half-time 2-0 down if it wasn't for two superb saves by Fyn; the first, a flying dive to his left and the second a smart block on the ground. His dad was heard to take the credit for son's goalkeeping prowess!
Cumnor re-organized in the second-half with James S volunteering (yes, volunteering!) to go in goal. With Henry desperate to be in the thick of everything he went to the back to partner Rory. Fyn leapt straight into the action up front but just over-ran the ball before he could strike. No matter, the next attack saw more good work by James E, putting a very solid tackle in before setting Fyn up to score the first goal. 1-0. As in previous matches, we needed a goal to spur us on and soon Ollie was through forcing a good save from the busy Tower Hill keeper. A second goal seemed increasingly likely and of course, it came from Fyn... calmly going through to claim his second of the match and his sixth in the last two games. Seconds later he could have had his hat-trick but for another good save. Tower Hill fought back with some dangerous attacks drawing some excellent defensive work from Henry and Rory. Ben Mc and Laurie were also getting stuck in, marauding through the midfield, breaking up attacks with some great interception play. With minutes left, a good Tower Hill attack saw the ball emerge in the Cumnor area. Despite the best efforts from James S, the ball hit a retreating Ollie and flew into the net. Don't worry Ollie, it won't count in your Golden Goal tally! The last attack of the game saw Fyn go close again but the whistle blew signalling an excellent 2-1 win. Fantastic!
Both matches prove that we have a versatile and talented squad. Tower Hill have had an excellent season and they certainly tested us to the limit. But we kept our heads, tackled, passed and held our shape. We didn't have that many chances but the ones we did, we took. Well done everyone... a great display!
Thanks also to Steve, Dave and James for helping out.
Player of the Week: arguably, the closest decision yet but we went with Binky for his superbly taken goals
Next week: Summertown All-Stars away. Details to follow.
Sunday 3 February 2008
Saturday 9th Feb, Tower Hill at The Closes
There'll be two U7 matches against Tower Hill this Saturday. Kick-off is 10.30 but please make sure all players are at the ground by 10.10. If you're driving, please use Cumnor Cricket Club (just across the road from the Closes) to park.
There is training for U6s
Next fixture: Summertown Allstars, Saturday Feb 16th (away). Details to follow.
There is training for U6s
Next fixture: Summertown Allstars, Saturday Feb 16th (away). Details to follow.
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