Sleepovers, mist, goal-line clearances, fightbacks and great goals.... it was all going on at Bampton.
Match One
With the teams mixed up, it was time for the U8s to experiment with some new combinations. In the first game, Henry M went in goal with Ben C & Henry S at the back. Rory pushed up into central midfield to partner Ben Mc with Will and James S out wide. Ollie was given the starting striker slot.
It's fair to say that Cumnor got off to a slow start despite Ollie hitting the post after some great work by Ben Mc. Bampton were tough to break down, keeping three defenders back and relying on some excellent counter attacking. They deservedly scored the opening goal and Cumnor were obviously shaken. Henry made some brave saves but minutes later, we were 2-0 down. Ollie and Will linked well to put Rory through who shot wide. With seconds to go before half-time, the clever Bampton 8 bagged his third of the match to leave Cumnor with an uphill task in the second half.
The coaches knew Cumnor had it in them to get back in the game; we just needed to concentrate, call, pass.... and put Rory in defence. And, as in previous matches, Rory took the danger man out of the game. Our midfield started linking well and we suddenly got in the game. Great work from Ollie in the tackle set Will up at the edge of the box who scored in the left-hand corner. Game on. Cumnor started to dominate and more goals looked likely. Good Bampton defending kept us at bay. Eventually, more Cumnor pressure forced a corner which Ben C managed to curl into the the top left hand corner. Brilliant. With the clock ticking down and the ball zipping up and down the field, Bampton were through before Will put in a last minute tackle. Henry S made another surging run and it seemed that we might get the draw. We didn't. Never mind; it was a superb second-half performance with lots of guts and energy and the coaches were delighted with the way the boys dug in and fought back.
Match Two
Different combinations for the second match with Edward in goal, Adam W & Toby in defence, Laurie, James E, Fyn and Binky in midfield and Adam M up front.
Cumnor dominated from the start and put in an excellent team performance. A quick breakaway saw Adam M's shot fall to the ever dangerous Fyn whose own shot hit the post. Laurie played possibly his best game for Cumnor, running hard down the wing, threading lovely passes through to Adam and man-marking his opposite number out of the game. However, Cumnor weren't having it all their own way and Edward was forced to make a brilliant save, flinging himself full stretch to the right to tip the ball over the bar.
James E - playing at his best in central midfield - started to run the game. His vision, tenacity and passing was exceptional. And with Toby and Adam W forming a strong defensive partnership behind him, Cumnor had great shape. The first goal however, fell to guess who? Fyn. Picking up a quick throw from Laurie, Fyn kept his nerve and slipped the ball past the goalie. Cumnor almost strecthed their lead just before half-time when James E hit a shot from close to the half-way line.
In the second-half, Henry M came on for Adam W and Adam M was given 7 minutes to score. He was unlucky not to. Toby was becoming more influential with his tackling and passing and was itching to be set free up front. With both teams going close, and Binky and Laurie dangerous out wide, Cumnor moved into top gear. Adam M & Toby swapped and Adam made some crunching tackles which stopped Bampton in their tracks. Toby then picked up the ball on the edge of the Cumnor area, powered through the midfield, passed to Fyn who had the awareness to pick out Toby's run, who finished the move in style. A fantastic goal. 2-0.
Bampton weren't finished. Edward, Henry and Fyn combined to make some goal-line clearances. With the seconds running out, Fyn capped another superb performance with another beautifully taken goal. Well done.
So, lots of good things. A couple of bad things to work on in training. Many names figured for player of the week but in the end, it went to our midfield maestro, James E.
Monday 29 September 2008
Monday 22 September 2008
Solid All-Round Performance Against Tower Hill Stars
A different kind of match experience for the U8s. With Tower Hill Stars having a slightly smaller squad than other teams we have faced, Cumnor agreed to play one team in one half, with the other in the second-half.
The first half team - led magnificently by Henry S playing at the back with Joe - were straight into the attack with Binky & Toby threatening from the start. In fact, it was Binky who scored the first goal, squeezing the ball over the line. Tower Hill Stars re-organized and threatened going close before a shot crept past Will in goal. With deadlock looming, and Joe in the wars once more, it was left for James S to set up Toby. Running wide, Toby got the ball into the box and Ben Mc crashed it home. An excellent start, considering the tired eyes of Adam W, Binky and Joe who willingly sacrificed their pre-match preparation for a sleepover!
In the second half, Cumnor were straight into the action with new captain, Ben Mc scoring his second. In fact, Ben almost bagged a hat-trick moments later. There were more goals on the cards and James E scored a beauty, volleying home Will's excellent cross (the pre-game training worked). Cumnor controlled the game through Rory, Adam M and Ben C who fed Will's dangerous runs down the left wing. Adam M capped another top performance with a cracking goal. With seconds left, Ben C went agonizingly close before Will finished the game with another good team goal. Fyn was on hand to send it over the line but his dad told him not to claim the goal; a first surely, for a striker and the O'Sheas!
With a number of strong performances to choose from, manager Steve had a difficult choice to make for Player of the Week but in the end, chose wisely and picked Ben Mc.
The first half team - led magnificently by Henry S playing at the back with Joe - were straight into the attack with Binky & Toby threatening from the start. In fact, it was Binky who scored the first goal, squeezing the ball over the line. Tower Hill Stars re-organized and threatened going close before a shot crept past Will in goal. With deadlock looming, and Joe in the wars once more, it was left for James S to set up Toby. Running wide, Toby got the ball into the box and Ben Mc crashed it home. An excellent start, considering the tired eyes of Adam W, Binky and Joe who willingly sacrificed their pre-match preparation for a sleepover!
In the second half, Cumnor were straight into the action with new captain, Ben Mc scoring his second. In fact, Ben almost bagged a hat-trick moments later. There were more goals on the cards and James E scored a beauty, volleying home Will's excellent cross (the pre-game training worked). Cumnor controlled the game through Rory, Adam M and Ben C who fed Will's dangerous runs down the left wing. Adam M capped another top performance with a cracking goal. With seconds left, Ben C went agonizingly close before Will finished the game with another good team goal. Fyn was on hand to send it over the line but his dad told him not to claim the goal; a first surely, for a striker and the O'Sheas!
With a number of strong performances to choose from, manager Steve had a difficult choice to make for Player of the Week but in the end, chose wisely and picked Ben Mc.
Monday 15 September 2008
Mixed Fortunes At Tower Hill
The U8s challenging start to the season continued in Witney with a tough encounter against Tower Hill.
Match One
Both teams were equally matched and Cumnor dug in well to claim a well-deserved victory. Ollie was outstanding in goal making several excellent reflex saves. James E made a number of lovely breaks down the left hand side and tackled well. Rory was his usual on the ball self snuffing out Tower Hill attacks and calmly setting up Cumnor moves. Adam M threatened from midfield and linked well with Ben C and Will. Speaking of which, Ben & Will produced several excellent corners, swinging right into the danger areas. In fact, the Tower Hill coach said they were the best corners he had seen at this age group! Fyn pounced on the first to give Cumnor a lead of 1-0 at half-time.
Almost straight from the re-start red-hot Fyn struck again and Cumnor appeared to be home and dry. But, like last week, we allowed the opposition to get back into the game. We were unlucky not to go ahead with numerous efforts blocked on the line or just going wide. The pressure began to tell and it was left yet again to Fyn to pivot and smash his third - and our winning goal - into the back of the net.
Match Two
Despite a very valiant display, where each player gave an excellent account of themselves, Tower Hill proved too strong for Cumnor in the second match. Edward was unlucky in goal with the ball being struck home after he had made a series of fantastic saves. Joe, carrying the bruise of his usual pre-match knock, delivered another ferocious performance at the back. In midfield, James S played many intelligent balls through to a hard-working, and slightly unlucky Binky, whose goal-scoring touch is bound to return. It was great to see Toby flying free once more down the wing and Ollie capped off his goalkeeping heroics with a another assured outfield performance. The highlight for Cumnor however, was Henry S' electrifying break down the wing which almost set up a goal.
The boys showed terrific determination and guts to stick in the game and kept trying their best. Better luck next time.
Match One
Both teams were equally matched and Cumnor dug in well to claim a well-deserved victory. Ollie was outstanding in goal making several excellent reflex saves. James E made a number of lovely breaks down the left hand side and tackled well. Rory was his usual on the ball self snuffing out Tower Hill attacks and calmly setting up Cumnor moves. Adam M threatened from midfield and linked well with Ben C and Will. Speaking of which, Ben & Will produced several excellent corners, swinging right into the danger areas. In fact, the Tower Hill coach said they were the best corners he had seen at this age group! Fyn pounced on the first to give Cumnor a lead of 1-0 at half-time.
Almost straight from the re-start red-hot Fyn struck again and Cumnor appeared to be home and dry. But, like last week, we allowed the opposition to get back into the game. We were unlucky not to go ahead with numerous efforts blocked on the line or just going wide. The pressure began to tell and it was left yet again to Fyn to pivot and smash his third - and our winning goal - into the back of the net.
Match Two
Despite a very valiant display, where each player gave an excellent account of themselves, Tower Hill proved too strong for Cumnor in the second match. Edward was unlucky in goal with the ball being struck home after he had made a series of fantastic saves. Joe, carrying the bruise of his usual pre-match knock, delivered another ferocious performance at the back. In midfield, James S played many intelligent balls through to a hard-working, and slightly unlucky Binky, whose goal-scoring touch is bound to return. It was great to see Toby flying free once more down the wing and Ollie capped off his goalkeeping heroics with a another assured outfield performance. The highlight for Cumnor however, was Henry S' electrifying break down the wing which almost set up a goal.
The boys showed terrific determination and guts to stick in the game and kept trying their best. Better luck next time.
Sunday 7 September 2008
Stunning Start to the New Season
The U8s got off to a winning start with two excellent performances against a well-organized and talented Eynsham. In the first match, livewire striker Fyn was at his Torres-like best with four superbly taken goals. He was banging them in from all angles including one from the corner flag! Cross or shot, Fyn? Let us know.
Will got the other goal which capped off a full-blooded display playing just in front of the midfield. Two boys bagged the goals but it was the team around them that earnt the victory. Adam M once more was our midfield engine powering through the central areas. Either side of him, the two Bens showed energy, industry and great touches on a tricky playing surface. But if we want to pinpoint two exceptional performances, we have to look further back at Rory and Henry M. Last season, the dynamic Eynsham No.9 was instrumental in our defeat but on Saturday, Rory gave a masterclass in man-to-man marking. He almost sealed his brilliant display with a stunning goal after taking the ball the whole length of the pitch.
In goal, Henry M (playing his first match since injury) was strong, committed and a little bit mad (no bad thing for a goalie). He gave a penalty away (and yes it was a penalty) but he then produced an absolutely monumental save, forcing a well struck shot over the bar!
Great stuff, it looked as if we might run away with the game but Eynsham proved a tough team, hitting the post twice and coming back to 4-3 before Fyn sealed it with his outrageous goal.
A special mention also for Henry S who made a very promising debut down the left hand side.
The second match was just as exciting with Cumnor flooding forward in waves. Ollie opened his account for the season with two goals including a peach from outside the box. Binky got one and would have had a few more if the grass had been cut before the match! In midfield, Laurie was once again the team action man, taking various hits and knocks to the body but still getting up and ploughing on. James E was unlucky not to get a goal and played his usual game: intelligent passing/kamikaze tackling. James S had his best game for Cumnor, breaking up loads of Eynsham moves and playing lovely little passes to set up fresh attacks. But yet again, the real hero of the day was at the back where Joe 'Iron Man' H tackled and blocked his heart out. It was such a big performance, it made his kit seem too small. Another new boy, Edward, made an excellent debut in goal playing with bravery and confidence. After struggling to find a goalie all last season, we now seem to be blessed with two! And coming on in the second-half and getting straight into the action, well done Adam W.
So, the new kit might be a bit big... but it looks good and we're unbeaten in it. Roll on next Saturday!
Will got the other goal which capped off a full-blooded display playing just in front of the midfield. Two boys bagged the goals but it was the team around them that earnt the victory. Adam M once more was our midfield engine powering through the central areas. Either side of him, the two Bens showed energy, industry and great touches on a tricky playing surface. But if we want to pinpoint two exceptional performances, we have to look further back at Rory and Henry M. Last season, the dynamic Eynsham No.9 was instrumental in our defeat but on Saturday, Rory gave a masterclass in man-to-man marking. He almost sealed his brilliant display with a stunning goal after taking the ball the whole length of the pitch.
In goal, Henry M (playing his first match since injury) was strong, committed and a little bit mad (no bad thing for a goalie). He gave a penalty away (and yes it was a penalty) but he then produced an absolutely monumental save, forcing a well struck shot over the bar!
Great stuff, it looked as if we might run away with the game but Eynsham proved a tough team, hitting the post twice and coming back to 4-3 before Fyn sealed it with his outrageous goal.
A special mention also for Henry S who made a very promising debut down the left hand side.
The second match was just as exciting with Cumnor flooding forward in waves. Ollie opened his account for the season with two goals including a peach from outside the box. Binky got one and would have had a few more if the grass had been cut before the match! In midfield, Laurie was once again the team action man, taking various hits and knocks to the body but still getting up and ploughing on. James E was unlucky not to get a goal and played his usual game: intelligent passing/kamikaze tackling. James S had his best game for Cumnor, breaking up loads of Eynsham moves and playing lovely little passes to set up fresh attacks. But yet again, the real hero of the day was at the back where Joe 'Iron Man' H tackled and blocked his heart out. It was such a big performance, it made his kit seem too small. Another new boy, Edward, made an excellent debut in goal playing with bravery and confidence. After struggling to find a goalie all last season, we now seem to be blessed with two! And coming on in the second-half and getting straight into the action, well done Adam W.
So, the new kit might be a bit big... but it looks good and we're unbeaten in it. Roll on next Saturday!
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