Fantasic effort everyone and congratulations Fyn, who beat his own 2007/08 goal tally.
Fyn 21
Will 16
Adam M/James S 11
Ollie 9
Ben Mc 8
Ben C 7
Binky/James E 6
Rory 4
Henry S/Edward 3
Toby/Joe/
Laurie/Henry M 2
Liam 1
Monday 20 April 2009
Cumnor's Big Finish
We've had some terrific encounters with Ducklington and the last game of the season was perhaps the best. We played with passion and intelligence and all the hard work we've put in in training paid off.
Match One
Playing with two at the back allowed Will, Ben C and Binky freedom to push on and support Fyn safe in the knowledge that Rory and Toby offered excellent protection for Ollie in goal. The game started in cracking fashion with Cumnor determined to play quickly and keep the ball moving. Binky held the right superbly and linked beautifully with Ben C. Will was a constant threat with his surging runs down the left and Ben orchestrated everything through the middle. But Toby and Rory's dilligence kept us solid. It wasn't long before Cumnor took the lead after Fyn smartly converted Will's cross. Ben went very close with a long range left footer and Will shot over after beating a couple of players. He also almost scored with a header (we're getting good at headers!). Fyn nearly got a second with an outrageously cheeky back heeled volley. Cumnor looked good value for a half-time lead and needed Ollie to make a dramatic save to guarantee the advantage.
In the second-half, Binky dropped back and Toby came into midfield. His impact was immediate aiming a fierce shot at the goal. As the rebound looped out, Ben steadied himself and hit a cracking first time effort into the net. 2-0. But it wasn't all going our way and we failed to deal with a bouncing ball (yet again) which inevitably meant goal for Ducklington. 2-1.
In recent games, we've panicked after conceeding but our new steely attitude saw us tighten our play. Another bouncing ball was this time claimed by Ollie who unleashed a Reina-esque kick to Fyn. With the Ducklington goalie charging forward, Fyn put out a foot and flicked it with the deftest of glances into the goal. 3-1.
As the game neared its conclusion, Cumnor were in control. More smart attacking work saw the ball fall to Rory. He looked up and hit a dipping shot from 2o yards out. What a stunning goal to cap an all round stunning team performance. 4-1.
Match Two
Another end-to-end encounter with Cumnor and Ducklington enjoying a real dogfight. Cumnor lined up with Rory/Fyn in goal, Laurie and Henry M in defence, Henry S, Ollie and James S in midfield and James E up front.
In a very physical game where there was lots of pulling and pushing (and a few x-rated challenges) Cumnor showed what strength and determination the boys have. A scramble in the home goalmouth saw Laurie unfortunately concede a penalty. Rory was unlucky not to keep it out. 0-1.
Against the run of play, Ducklington squeezed another past Rory (0-2) but Cumnor weren't solely defending. Both James' were combining well and Ollie and Henry S showed some lovely touches in midfield. Laurie was working hard in defence and demonstrated what a terrific headerer of the ball he is. And with him, barnstorming Muller was proving Cumnor would not do down without a fight. Guts, bulldog spirit... Cumnor got a corner and Henry's shot eventually found the back of the net. 1-2: game on. Ollie played a delightful little pass into James S who stopped, shimmied and found the bottom corner. 2-2.
The second-half proved a fitting finale to an excellent season with the lead going back and forth. James E tried a sneaky little back heel but had better luck moments later when his goal nabbed Cumnor the lead. 3-2. But Ducklington weren't to be denied and equalized. With time running out, James S grabbed a beauty with the outside of his boot. We were there... we were going to beat Ducklington again but no, a scrambled shot hit the post, then Fyn's head and went in. 4-4.
Both matches had everything and the Cumnor boys can head into the Summer tournaments knowing they've had a terrific season. Hold your heads up high lads, you've done yourselves proud!
Player of the Week: Toby for adding bite to our defence and midfield.
Match One
Playing with two at the back allowed Will, Ben C and Binky freedom to push on and support Fyn safe in the knowledge that Rory and Toby offered excellent protection for Ollie in goal. The game started in cracking fashion with Cumnor determined to play quickly and keep the ball moving. Binky held the right superbly and linked beautifully with Ben C. Will was a constant threat with his surging runs down the left and Ben orchestrated everything through the middle. But Toby and Rory's dilligence kept us solid. It wasn't long before Cumnor took the lead after Fyn smartly converted Will's cross. Ben went very close with a long range left footer and Will shot over after beating a couple of players. He also almost scored with a header (we're getting good at headers!). Fyn nearly got a second with an outrageously cheeky back heeled volley. Cumnor looked good value for a half-time lead and needed Ollie to make a dramatic save to guarantee the advantage.
In the second-half, Binky dropped back and Toby came into midfield. His impact was immediate aiming a fierce shot at the goal. As the rebound looped out, Ben steadied himself and hit a cracking first time effort into the net. 2-0. But it wasn't all going our way and we failed to deal with a bouncing ball (yet again) which inevitably meant goal for Ducklington. 2-1.
In recent games, we've panicked after conceeding but our new steely attitude saw us tighten our play. Another bouncing ball was this time claimed by Ollie who unleashed a Reina-esque kick to Fyn. With the Ducklington goalie charging forward, Fyn put out a foot and flicked it with the deftest of glances into the goal. 3-1.
As the game neared its conclusion, Cumnor were in control. More smart attacking work saw the ball fall to Rory. He looked up and hit a dipping shot from 2o yards out. What a stunning goal to cap an all round stunning team performance. 4-1.
Match Two
Another end-to-end encounter with Cumnor and Ducklington enjoying a real dogfight. Cumnor lined up with Rory/Fyn in goal, Laurie and Henry M in defence, Henry S, Ollie and James S in midfield and James E up front.
In a very physical game where there was lots of pulling and pushing (and a few x-rated challenges) Cumnor showed what strength and determination the boys have. A scramble in the home goalmouth saw Laurie unfortunately concede a penalty. Rory was unlucky not to keep it out. 0-1.
Against the run of play, Ducklington squeezed another past Rory (0-2) but Cumnor weren't solely defending. Both James' were combining well and Ollie and Henry S showed some lovely touches in midfield. Laurie was working hard in defence and demonstrated what a terrific headerer of the ball he is. And with him, barnstorming Muller was proving Cumnor would not do down without a fight. Guts, bulldog spirit... Cumnor got a corner and Henry's shot eventually found the back of the net. 1-2: game on. Ollie played a delightful little pass into James S who stopped, shimmied and found the bottom corner. 2-2.
The second-half proved a fitting finale to an excellent season with the lead going back and forth. James E tried a sneaky little back heel but had better luck moments later when his goal nabbed Cumnor the lead. 3-2. But Ducklington weren't to be denied and equalized. With time running out, James S grabbed a beauty with the outside of his boot. We were there... we were going to beat Ducklington again but no, a scrambled shot hit the post, then Fyn's head and went in. 4-4.
Both matches had everything and the Cumnor boys can head into the Summer tournaments knowing they've had a terrific season. Hold your heads up high lads, you've done yourselves proud!
Player of the Week: Toby for adding bite to our defence and midfield.
Monday 6 April 2009
Bampton Goal Blitz
Two games and 14 goals... the Bampton clash was certainly one of the most thrilling ties of the season.
Match One
Cumnor got off to a sluggish start but took control of the game once we got our passing together. With Toby coming into the wide right position, Fyn up front and Ben C and Adam M alternating between the holding/attacking midfield role... Cumnor showed great balance. But it was Bampton who opened the scoring by finding Cumnor's one weakness: our inability to deal with the high through ball.
It took a goal to force us into life and halfway into the 1st half, Fyn did something no Cumnor player has done all season: he scored with his head. Will played a lovely corner into the danger area and our star striker was there to bang it home. With Rory powering up from the back and Ben cleverly sweeping, Cumnor pushed higher and higher up field. Will took the ball on the edge of the area, went wide and then swung a left foot to send the ball crashing into the corner of the net. 2-1.
Cumnor kept pressing and more good work from Adam set up Will who played a delightful pass into Fyn. Timing his run to perfection, Fyn took Cumnor to a comfortable 3-1 lead. With Cumnor in control, a Bampton long shot fell awkwardly out of the sun and just beat Ed's jump. 3-2.
In the second-half, Bampton tested us with the long ball from the kick-off. Hesitance in midfield saw the ball fall for the Bampton 8 who squeezed it past Ed. 3-3. Cumnor were making hard work of winning the game but kept putting together some lovely moves. Our persistence paid off and Ben's corner was met by a towering Rory header: 4-3.
With long shots, flicks and overhead kicks Cumnor almost had it in the bag before one more speculative Bampton thump forward found their dangerous 8 who completed a well-deserved hat-trick 4-4.
Both teams looked disappointed at the end but everyone at The Closes cheered the boys (and girl) off because we knew every single player had given his - and her - all.
Match Two was just as entertaining. Ben Mc started in goal with Binky at the back. Laurie, Adam M, Henry S and Ed played midfield and James E captained from the front. Unlike the first match, Cumnor dealt with the bouncing ball with more determination (despite Adam using his hand... twice!) Ed relished the freedom of playing out and made some strong, surging runs. Laurie was difficult to handle out wide and his determination saw him break through to score the first goal. 1-0. Cumnor almost got a second moments later after James made a lovely, twinkle-toed run complete with a Ronaldo/Muller-esque stepover.
In the second-half, Adam replaced Ben in goal. With Ben and Ed powering through the middle, a second was on the cards. Ed ran the length of the pitch and was about to fire home before Ben snapped it off his toe and found the net. Ed's shocked look was a sight to behold! 2-0.
Bampton got a goal back before James E showed what a natural goalscorer he is by taking a difficult chance. 3-1. Ed and Ben kept charging forward (thanks to the solid platform provided by Binky's magnificent defensive work) and Ed deserved to get his goal. 4-1. A late effort from Bampton ended the match 4-2 and again, both sets of of players left the field to rapturous applause.
Great stuff... now, if only we can learn to deal with that bouncing ball!
Player of the Week: plaudits for Ed and Binky but it had to go to our header heroes: Fyn and Rory
Match One
Cumnor got off to a sluggish start but took control of the game once we got our passing together. With Toby coming into the wide right position, Fyn up front and Ben C and Adam M alternating between the holding/attacking midfield role... Cumnor showed great balance. But it was Bampton who opened the scoring by finding Cumnor's one weakness: our inability to deal with the high through ball.
It took a goal to force us into life and halfway into the 1st half, Fyn did something no Cumnor player has done all season: he scored with his head. Will played a lovely corner into the danger area and our star striker was there to bang it home. With Rory powering up from the back and Ben cleverly sweeping, Cumnor pushed higher and higher up field. Will took the ball on the edge of the area, went wide and then swung a left foot to send the ball crashing into the corner of the net. 2-1.
Cumnor kept pressing and more good work from Adam set up Will who played a delightful pass into Fyn. Timing his run to perfection, Fyn took Cumnor to a comfortable 3-1 lead. With Cumnor in control, a Bampton long shot fell awkwardly out of the sun and just beat Ed's jump. 3-2.
In the second-half, Bampton tested us with the long ball from the kick-off. Hesitance in midfield saw the ball fall for the Bampton 8 who squeezed it past Ed. 3-3. Cumnor were making hard work of winning the game but kept putting together some lovely moves. Our persistence paid off and Ben's corner was met by a towering Rory header: 4-3.
With long shots, flicks and overhead kicks Cumnor almost had it in the bag before one more speculative Bampton thump forward found their dangerous 8 who completed a well-deserved hat-trick 4-4.
Both teams looked disappointed at the end but everyone at The Closes cheered the boys (and girl) off because we knew every single player had given his - and her - all.
Match Two was just as entertaining. Ben Mc started in goal with Binky at the back. Laurie, Adam M, Henry S and Ed played midfield and James E captained from the front. Unlike the first match, Cumnor dealt with the bouncing ball with more determination (despite Adam using his hand... twice!) Ed relished the freedom of playing out and made some strong, surging runs. Laurie was difficult to handle out wide and his determination saw him break through to score the first goal. 1-0. Cumnor almost got a second moments later after James made a lovely, twinkle-toed run complete with a Ronaldo/Muller-esque stepover.
In the second-half, Adam replaced Ben in goal. With Ben and Ed powering through the middle, a second was on the cards. Ed ran the length of the pitch and was about to fire home before Ben snapped it off his toe and found the net. Ed's shocked look was a sight to behold! 2-0.
Bampton got a goal back before James E showed what a natural goalscorer he is by taking a difficult chance. 3-1. Ed and Ben kept charging forward (thanks to the solid platform provided by Binky's magnificent defensive work) and Ed deserved to get his goal. 4-1. A late effort from Bampton ended the match 4-2 and again, both sets of of players left the field to rapturous applause.
Great stuff... now, if only we can learn to deal with that bouncing ball!
Player of the Week: plaudits for Ed and Binky but it had to go to our header heroes: Fyn and Rory
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