Monday 16 March 2009
Cumnor Slip Up Against Ducklington
We've played worse this season and won so let's not be too disappointed by a double defeat against Ducklington. Both teams battled hard against a very good passing team and if the bounce of the ball had gone our way, we might have emerged with two victories instead of 1-2 and 0-1 defeats.
There were terrific performances by the Cumnor boys with some great tackling and approach play. Adam M scored an excellent goal, it was just a shame we didn't convert our other chances. Never mind, lots of positives can be taken from the game.
Player of the Week: Joe for being brave, energetic and totally committed
There were terrific performances by the Cumnor boys with some great tackling and approach play. Adam M scored an excellent goal, it was just a shame we didn't convert our other chances. Never mind, lots of positives can be taken from the game.
Player of the Week: Joe for being brave, energetic and totally committed
Sunday 8 March 2009
Another Mighty Performance
Recent matches have shown how close tough the Witney league has become. They've also shown what a strong position we are in regarding the strength of our squad. With that in mind, the coaches decided to mix the teams up to see how we would cope with the visit of Witney Vikings.
Match One
Ed started in goal, with Toby in defence, a midfield four of Joe, Will, Ben C and Henry S leaving Binky and James E as strikers. If ever there was a game of two halves then this was surely it. Both teams struggled to get the ball down on the ground and play. With a stream of throw-ins and missed chances the early highlight was Ben C smashing the ball into a neighbouring garden. Both teams did get some shots away with Henry S going close. Binky and James S showed some nice touches in attack and Toby tackled forcefully at the back. But it all felt very dis-jointed until the end of the half when the game suddenly burst into life. First, Witney forced a great save from Ed. Then Will picked up the rebound in our area and ran the length of the field leaving defenders in his wake to set up a good chance for our forwards.
The second-half was electric. Cumnor and Witney stood toe-to-toe and produced some superb passages of play. Joe was excellent out wide and kept a close eye on Witney's dangerous number 14. Ben C played a captain's role, anchored the midfield and allowed Will to set off on a series of dazzling runs down the left. Time and again he skipped to the byline and James and Binky were within millimetres away from converting one of his pinpoint crosses. But it wasn't all Cumnor, Witney kept coming back and Toby had his work cut out to keep the Viking hoards back. Week by week Toby has grown into a defender of true class. Yet the real star of the show was Ed who made a number of incredible saves, throwing himself down at the feet of the Witney attackers, fending off fearsome shotes and keeping a clean sheet for the second week running.
In the end, 0-0 was the right result. Considering it was a 'new' Cumnor mix playing against a well-established side, the boys did brilliantly.
Match Two
In the second game, Ollie went in goal, Ben C & Adam W defence, Laurie, Adam M and Fyn across midfield and Will and James S up front.
From the whistle Cumnor were up and at them determined there would be no repeat deadlock. Storming Adam M gave the team real drive from midfield. Will made the goalie work hard and then hit the post. James S also hit the post and incredible, moments later Fyn hit it with a volley for the second week running! With Adam W and Ben brave and solid at the back and Ollie wondering if he'd get to touch the ball, it was only a matter of time before Cumnor scored. And what a goal it was! Picking up the ball out right, Adam M cut inside then unleashed a ferocious right-footed rocket which almost ripped the net apart. There was no stopping us now. Laurie spotted James S in a good wide right position and threaded the perfect pass through to him. James looked up and played a gorgeous first time cross into the box for storming Adam to smash it home with his left foot. 2-0. Will got the next, beating a couple of players on the edge of the area before curling one in and capping off another good all-round display. 3-0.
In the second-half, Ollie went up front with James S, Henry S came into goal and Binky replaced an exhausted (yet reluctant to leave) Ben C at the back. Ollie showed some delightful touches and clever thinking, playing a quick short corner to Adam who blasted a shot just over the bar. James S and Ollie worked nicely together with Ollie setting up a chance for James to coolly finish. 4-0. Moments later, the same two boys combined to score another. 5-0.
With a goal glut looming, Cumnor resisted the temptation to flood forward and kept playing football. Laurie was disappointed to miss from a few yards out but kept his chin up, beat his man beautifully and played the pass of the day into Ollie to score our sixth.
With the goals flying in, Fyn - our ace goalscorer - continued playing a noble part out wide for his team. Then, we set him free up front and predictably, scored our 7th and 8th within minutes. To Witney's credit, they kept battling and sturdy work and brave headers from Binky and Adam W - and solid commands from Henry S - meant we kept another clean sheet. Final score 8-0.
It's not easy playing in a new team but what the matches proved was how quickly we can adapt and find our rhythm. It also proves we have a strong squad full of talented players who can play all over the pitch.
Player of the Week: plaudits for Toby and Ollie but the unanimous choice was Ed for his immense goalkeeping.
Match One
Ed started in goal, with Toby in defence, a midfield four of Joe, Will, Ben C and Henry S leaving Binky and James E as strikers. If ever there was a game of two halves then this was surely it. Both teams struggled to get the ball down on the ground and play. With a stream of throw-ins and missed chances the early highlight was Ben C smashing the ball into a neighbouring garden. Both teams did get some shots away with Henry S going close. Binky and James S showed some nice touches in attack and Toby tackled forcefully at the back. But it all felt very dis-jointed until the end of the half when the game suddenly burst into life. First, Witney forced a great save from Ed. Then Will picked up the rebound in our area and ran the length of the field leaving defenders in his wake to set up a good chance for our forwards.
The second-half was electric. Cumnor and Witney stood toe-to-toe and produced some superb passages of play. Joe was excellent out wide and kept a close eye on Witney's dangerous number 14. Ben C played a captain's role, anchored the midfield and allowed Will to set off on a series of dazzling runs down the left. Time and again he skipped to the byline and James and Binky were within millimetres away from converting one of his pinpoint crosses. But it wasn't all Cumnor, Witney kept coming back and Toby had his work cut out to keep the Viking hoards back. Week by week Toby has grown into a defender of true class. Yet the real star of the show was Ed who made a number of incredible saves, throwing himself down at the feet of the Witney attackers, fending off fearsome shotes and keeping a clean sheet for the second week running.
In the end, 0-0 was the right result. Considering it was a 'new' Cumnor mix playing against a well-established side, the boys did brilliantly.
Match Two
In the second game, Ollie went in goal, Ben C & Adam W defence, Laurie, Adam M and Fyn across midfield and Will and James S up front.
From the whistle Cumnor were up and at them determined there would be no repeat deadlock. Storming Adam M gave the team real drive from midfield. Will made the goalie work hard and then hit the post. James S also hit the post and incredible, moments later Fyn hit it with a volley for the second week running! With Adam W and Ben brave and solid at the back and Ollie wondering if he'd get to touch the ball, it was only a matter of time before Cumnor scored. And what a goal it was! Picking up the ball out right, Adam M cut inside then unleashed a ferocious right-footed rocket which almost ripped the net apart. There was no stopping us now. Laurie spotted James S in a good wide right position and threaded the perfect pass through to him. James looked up and played a gorgeous first time cross into the box for storming Adam to smash it home with his left foot. 2-0. Will got the next, beating a couple of players on the edge of the area before curling one in and capping off another good all-round display. 3-0.
In the second-half, Ollie went up front with James S, Henry S came into goal and Binky replaced an exhausted (yet reluctant to leave) Ben C at the back. Ollie showed some delightful touches and clever thinking, playing a quick short corner to Adam who blasted a shot just over the bar. James S and Ollie worked nicely together with Ollie setting up a chance for James to coolly finish. 4-0. Moments later, the same two boys combined to score another. 5-0.
With a goal glut looming, Cumnor resisted the temptation to flood forward and kept playing football. Laurie was disappointed to miss from a few yards out but kept his chin up, beat his man beautifully and played the pass of the day into Ollie to score our sixth.
With the goals flying in, Fyn - our ace goalscorer - continued playing a noble part out wide for his team. Then, we set him free up front and predictably, scored our 7th and 8th within minutes. To Witney's credit, they kept battling and sturdy work and brave headers from Binky and Adam W - and solid commands from Henry S - meant we kept another clean sheet. Final score 8-0.
It's not easy playing in a new team but what the matches proved was how quickly we can adapt and find our rhythm. It also proves we have a strong squad full of talented players who can play all over the pitch.
Player of the Week: plaudits for Toby and Ollie but the unanimous choice was Ed for his immense goalkeeping.
Tuesday 3 March 2009
Honours Even at Combe
What a tie! Cumnor versus Combe was one of the most enthralling and exciting fixtures we've seen this season. Both matches were incredibly even with the outcome of both clashes in doubt right up until the final whistle.
Match One
A strong Cumnor team started well with Will firing in an early effort from out on the left. Combe were quick to counter attack and Ben C showed all his strength and determination in the tackle. With Adam M pressing from midfleid and James E holding the ball up front, Cumnor seemed well set to take the lead. The best chance of the first-half fell to Fyn who somehow got his foot around the ball and volleyed Will's corner into the post.
Yet we weren't having it all our own way. Combe made some excellent breaks and their lively no.8 twisted, turned and tormented. Other teams would have fallen under his spell. But other teams don't have Rory! Time and again this season, Rory has been magnificent at the back. And behind Rory, there was Ed who grew and grew into his goalkeeping role making a series of early saves and commanding his area with real authority.
The game opened up even more in the second half with both teams feeling the pace. Will was causing problems running down the hill and hitting searing crosses into the box. Ben was showing wonderful touches in midfield and he and Adam started to control the tempo of the game. Adam surged forward, blistering through the Combe defence but hit his shot wide. Another chance fell to James but he couldn't quite get a killer pass into Will. There would be no breakthrough and as the ref blew his whistle the exhausted boys left the field to deserved cheers.
Match Two
As in previous weeks, the boys in match two played as a slightly tighter unit but it does help having Henry M bossing everyone about. He and Toby continued their impressive defensive partnership: Henry all energy and strength, Toby cool and ruthless in the tackle. In front of them, Ben Mc ran his heart out leading the startled Combe midfield a merry dance all across the field. Joe showed his neat collection of clever short passes and little touches. Binky seemed to relish being involved in the midfield battle rather than being left isolated up front. James S was a clever target man, showing wonderful awareness in tight spaces to play his teammates in. And in goal, covered in mud but loving every second, Ed.
Both teams had their chances and Combe even hit the post but Cumnor, driven on by Henry and Ben Mc were the slightly stronger team. Ben set out on one of his trademark runs and got a shot in but the ball was parried away by the keeper. Then, appearing from nowhere with all the coolness of an expert poacher, came Binky who calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner. 1-0.
Cumnor didn't sit on their lead and moved confidently forward, knowing that Henry, Toby and Ed would be almost impossible to beat. On the one occasion when a Combe player did get the better of Henry, he was happy to try and rugby tackle him! Wrong day, Henry!
With Cumnor pressing, Joe played some lovely little passes through the midfield and the ball broke to James. With the goal open in front of him... and a glimpse of glory ahead, James just failed to connect. If he'd been a centimetre taller he would have bagged our deserved second.
Final whistle: 0-1 and another round of applause for a committed team performance.
Player of the Week: very close between Ben Mc and Ed but in the end, the coaches chose Will for his scintillating wing play.
Match One
A strong Cumnor team started well with Will firing in an early effort from out on the left. Combe were quick to counter attack and Ben C showed all his strength and determination in the tackle. With Adam M pressing from midfleid and James E holding the ball up front, Cumnor seemed well set to take the lead. The best chance of the first-half fell to Fyn who somehow got his foot around the ball and volleyed Will's corner into the post.
Yet we weren't having it all our own way. Combe made some excellent breaks and their lively no.8 twisted, turned and tormented. Other teams would have fallen under his spell. But other teams don't have Rory! Time and again this season, Rory has been magnificent at the back. And behind Rory, there was Ed who grew and grew into his goalkeeping role making a series of early saves and commanding his area with real authority.
The game opened up even more in the second half with both teams feeling the pace. Will was causing problems running down the hill and hitting searing crosses into the box. Ben was showing wonderful touches in midfield and he and Adam started to control the tempo of the game. Adam surged forward, blistering through the Combe defence but hit his shot wide. Another chance fell to James but he couldn't quite get a killer pass into Will. There would be no breakthrough and as the ref blew his whistle the exhausted boys left the field to deserved cheers.
Match Two
As in previous weeks, the boys in match two played as a slightly tighter unit but it does help having Henry M bossing everyone about. He and Toby continued their impressive defensive partnership: Henry all energy and strength, Toby cool and ruthless in the tackle. In front of them, Ben Mc ran his heart out leading the startled Combe midfield a merry dance all across the field. Joe showed his neat collection of clever short passes and little touches. Binky seemed to relish being involved in the midfield battle rather than being left isolated up front. James S was a clever target man, showing wonderful awareness in tight spaces to play his teammates in. And in goal, covered in mud but loving every second, Ed.
Both teams had their chances and Combe even hit the post but Cumnor, driven on by Henry and Ben Mc were the slightly stronger team. Ben set out on one of his trademark runs and got a shot in but the ball was parried away by the keeper. Then, appearing from nowhere with all the coolness of an expert poacher, came Binky who calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner. 1-0.
Cumnor didn't sit on their lead and moved confidently forward, knowing that Henry, Toby and Ed would be almost impossible to beat. On the one occasion when a Combe player did get the better of Henry, he was happy to try and rugby tackle him! Wrong day, Henry!
With Cumnor pressing, Joe played some lovely little passes through the midfield and the ball broke to James. With the goal open in front of him... and a glimpse of glory ahead, James just failed to connect. If he'd been a centimetre taller he would have bagged our deserved second.
Final whistle: 0-1 and another round of applause for a committed team performance.
Player of the Week: very close between Ben Mc and Ed but in the end, the coaches chose Will for his scintillating wing play.
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