Undone

Bad luck to the the boys who lose 7-1 to an excellent Middleton Cheney. We battled hard and went close early on but MC are disciplined, organised and have a strong squad. They deserved their win but our morning was lit up by a lovely lifted finish by Fyn and Henry S' spectacular save.

Player of the Week: attitude, commitment, stamina... the man for a fight: Matt

Please, Please, Please Let Us Get What We Want

3 points? A little bit of luck? A penalty!

What cannot be faulted is the performance of the boys. Since we last lost to Ducklington we've re-booted our set up, our tactics and our attitude. The boys have been tremendous, they've taken on board our instruction and delivered where it matters... on the pitch. On Saturday, the football gods were against us because that's the only way to explain what happened. 3-1 was impossibly harsh. On a small pitch, sticky with mud, it wasn't pretty but it was compelling. Here's the view from the sideleines:

Henry: it takes a brave boy to go in goal... and Henry's been a lion this season
James S: called in last minute to replace injured Joe and was a revelation... great attitude too
Josh: has been unshackled in the last few weeks, defends with confidence and dangerous going forward
Will: only his 3rd game at the back... incredible
Rory: the rock... always on top form
Matt: runs and runs and runs... he never gives up and frightens the opposition out wide
Toby: loving the creative freedom in the middle
Ed: made the Duck no.5 cry... inspired in the fight
Adam: apparently, he's injured. Doesn't play like it
Ben: every tackle, every pass counts
Fyn: audacious flick, lovely finish... Fyn is purring once more
James E: came on, got stuck in and did his bit for the team

That's just our view. The Ducklington coaches, parents and referee all thought Cumnor were hard done by. We were, but there are so many positives now to take into the Middleton Cheney game next Saturday. Come on boys, this time is ours!

Player of the Week: James S for filling in at right back and playing so well

Cumnor On A Cup Run

It's all kicking off, in a good way.

The boys put in another exceptional performance to beat a dogged Easington and book a place in the next round of the cup. With a full squad to chose from, we set up as we did against Deddington... and the system worked again.

Cumnor built steady from the start with the defence holding a high line and ensuring most of the play was in the Easington half. Ben made a great break towards the goal and found Fyn, who spun beautifully on the spot and found the net. 1-0. However, the plan had to change earlier than the coaches hoped with Toby taking a nasty knock to be replaced by James S. More Cumnor pressure saw a corner which Matt bravely met with his head but couldn't convert. The ball spun wide left to Josh who nicely found Ed to set up Will for a fantastic edge of the box strike. 2-0.

Cumnor were motoring with the defence looking untroubled and Matt and Adam chasing everything down. Fyn was making a nuisance of himself and James S was stroking the ball about nicely. Adam latched on to a loose ball out wide and hit a clever looping shot into the goal. 3-0. With Cumnor well on top now, Ed was applying muscle in midfield. James picked up a stray pass and moved forward. With options both side, he decided to shoot. Somehow, the ball slipped through the keeper and into the net. 4-0.

In the second-half, we rang the changes with Henry M and James S joining the action and Henry S leaving his goal behind for a well-deserved run. He was unlucky not to score and rattled the bar with one effort. But goals did come, two more. Our fifth showed some great anticipation by Josh to race onto Joe's pass and our sixth and final goal saw James E smash home Rory's saved shot. 6-0.

Fantastic result, lovely to see six different scorers on the sheet and we were delighted to give all the boys plenty of football. Let's stay focussed and put what we've learnt about ourselves during the last two weeks into practice against Ducklington.

Player of the Week: another difficult decision but Josh stood out for his confidence, positional play and desire to get forward.

Remember: anticipate where the ball might go and get there first

Back On Track

On a grey and dismal November day, the U11s lit up the gloom with a sparkling performance against bogey team Deddington. All the listening and hard work in training was finally taken on to the pitch as the boys brought passion, determination and guts to their already considerable skills.

There was some tinkering too. Josh was pushed out to left back, Fyn played lone striker and Ben dropped into the hole between midfield and attack. The biggest tactical switch however, was bringing Ed into central midfield to terrorise the opposition, and slotting Will into central defence. For too long this season Will has been isolated out wide, bringing him back to pair up with the formidable Rory, strengthened the spine of the team. There were other little changes that helped, taking the boys into the changing rooms for clear and concise tactical instruction (which Ed followed to the letter) and stirring them up with a little rousing speech. So did the minutes silence which helped focus their minds that football, is after all, a game to be enjoyed.

From the whistle, the boys got at Deddington. Rory and Will held a high line which pushed the midfield on and allowed us to play in Deddington's half. The passing was crisp and slick, Ed and Toby linking especially well and giving Ben plenty of time on the ball. A nice move saw the ball break for Adam but his effort was blocked only for Toby to jump on the rebound and slide it home for his second Cumnor goal. 1-0.

Cumnor were on the attack, sniffing more opportunities. Fyn almost got in but just over ran the ball, Matt and Adam were burning up the flanks and Joe - along with Rory our most consistent player this year - played a lovely ball to put Adam through to win a free kick about 25 yards out. Up stepped Will and smashed it high towards the goal, the keeper got a hand to it but carried it over the line. 2-0.

This was the Cumnor of old... but with 11 confident boys, trusting one another with the ball, talking to each other, fighting for the team. And nothing personified this new attitude than the full blooded challenge made by Matt which could be heard in Middleton Cheney. More attacks came, Josh looking very accomplished in his new role, itching to use his speed and get forward. Toby and Ed got stuck into everything and Ben just refused to be dominated. Deddignton were not done yet and a quick piece of thinking by their striker saw him sprint clear and knock a corner in at the near post. 2-1. Game on.

In recent matches, our heads might have dropped, but this tough re-booted Cumnor would not bow down again. Great work by Matt saw Ben on a twinkle-toe run into the box before chipping the goalie with the deftest of touches only to see the ball go inches wide. Deddington applied the pressure but our twin rocks at the back were winning every header. Then just before half-time, super alert Henry S put a monster kick in which found Fyn. With ground to cover and defenders breathing down his neck, Fyn raced clear and cheekily played it inside the far post for a lovely finish. 3-1.

In the second-half, Cumnor didn't let up despite a ferocious fight back by Deddington. In some ways, this was more pleasing because it showed we were able to protect a lead and still push forward. James S came on and was full of intelligent play. Ed went close and Will put a testing ball in on the keeper which might have beaten a smaller goalie. Admittedly, we played it a little more direct than in recent games but at least we had the ball. With the ball, we're as good as anyone in the league; getting the ball has been our problem. Never at any time in the second-half did we look likely to lose and that shows what a terrific all round performance it was by all 12 players. Here's hoping we've turned the corner and put a slow start to the season behind us.

Player of the Week: shared between Toby (for his midfield generalship) and Will (for taking to a new position so well)

Remember: We can't play lovely without the ball

Ducklington Disaster

The same old story, Cumnor were undone by a team who just wanted that ball more than we did. We started well and moved the ball nicely around the pitch but credit to Ducklington, they fought for the ball, linked nicely between midfield and attack and relied on their clever no.11 to sprint clear and finish well.

4-0 might seem harsh but we can't look for excuses. Cumnor upped the aggression and intensity in the final quarter and might have challenged for the win if we had started the game in that manner. But we didn't, and we lost. Again.

Player of the Week: Joe

Bardwell Blitz

Okay, 6-1 is a bit of a thrashing but the result hardly justified the performance. The boys played with passion and style and were exceptionally unlucky. Ben took his goal beautifully and put in a real skipper's performance. Rory was superb in midfield and Will and Ben linked beautifully. We were desperately unlucky to lose Adam to a knee injury but all the boys certainly improved on last week's disappointing effort against Banbury. One thing Bardwell did do extremely well was get their shots away: high, hard and handsome.

Player of the Week: big heart, lovely technique...Ben

Lesson: get those shots in early

The Heat Is On

Shocking performance against Banbury as we crashed to a 3-1 defeat. No fight, no thought, no desire... here's hoping there's a big improvement in attitude and aptitude very soon.

Player of the Week: Not awarded this week

Middleton Meltdown

A big well done to the boys who played with spirit up at MC and, although defeat hurt, there were no tears or recriminations. It's fair to say MC deserved their win and showed they were strong in every position (and the bench). Their movement and passing is something we can aspire to and we look forward too seeing them at The Closes later this season.

No excuses but it's worth noting we were 3 boys down, Will was three-quarters fit and James E was carrying a groin strain. Also, the two own goals were harsh and the ball never seemed to roll our way. Okay then, some excuses... but 4 - 0 could have been a lot worse but for the splendid antics of the returning Ollie in goal, and the best player on the pitch by a mile, Rory.

Player of the Week: Rory the Rock

Remember: There's no such thing as a 50/50 ball. It's yours!

The Big Kick Off

With the move upto 11-a-side and playing on the big pitch, the U11s knew this year, we'd be facing different challenges. The coaches were keen to point out that all we expected from the boys was that they had fun and did their best. And on Saturday they did exactly that... and came away with an excellent 3-1 win.

There was some worry before kick off as Will turned up on crutches but one player's disappointment is another's opportunity and, playing wide left starting his first match for Cumnor, Matt took his. We lined up with Henry S in goal; a back four of Joe, Toby, Josh, Ed; Matt, Kyle, Rory and Adam across the middle and Ben and Fyn up front. We were at it from the kick off, looking to control the play, hold positions and, most importantly of all, tackle. The recent training time spent on committing to the tackle and showing correct technique set the tone of our performance.

Adam launched our first attack forcing a good save from the keeper. More insightful play and excellent off the ball running saw Ben play Fyn in to score the season's opener. The flood gates would have opened with Cumnor getting chance after chance forcing save and goaline clearances by the plucky Swifts. Rory and Kyle were controlling the tempo and Adam and Matt were running themselves ragged down the wings. At the back, Josh and Toby stayed focussed and together. With Ed and Joe rattling into every challenge, the coaches were delighted with the first half. A fine performance was sealed when Henry made a strong save to keep the lead and Fyn scored a beautifully taken 2nd. 2-0.

In the second-half we started ringing the changes getting James E and James S on. The Cumnor attacks were fast and fluid with Ben going close and James E hitting the bar with a dipping half volley. With the boys blowing a bit - and a few knocks picked up - the rotation policy was working well. James E became increasingly more influential and played nicely of the solid midfield base behind him. With the game moving into the final quarter, Adam broke free and sent a thunderous shot home from out wide to make the score 3-0. Job done, despite Chippy scoring a late consolation. 3-1.

Player of the Week: it could have been anyone because they all played brilliantly but in the end it came down to our new boys Josh and Kyle with Kyle just getting the nod.

Remember: want that ball, win those tackles.

New Season Start

The new season begins on Sat Sept 10th as we host Chipping Norton Swifts. New kits, new players, new pitch... this season is all about FUN and IMPROVEMENT. Enjoy yourself boys, show everyone what you can do!

Award Winners 2010/11

Players' Player: OLLIE
Parents' Player: TOBY
Coaches' Player: MATT
Most Improved: ED
Golden Boot: WILL

Congratulations!

Tournaments

Sun May 8th Tower Hill (2 teams)
Sun June 5th Crowmarsh (2 teams)
Sun June 19th Summertown (2 teams)

Brackley Bounceback

A team of seven, a pitch full of daisies, 4 crocked ankles, one bang in the face... yep, the Brackley game was a fitting way to end our season. In the first game, we took the lead through a Ben strike, failed to close down well enough to concede the equalizer and lost to a soft winner. The boys fought but were outmuscled by a strong Brackley bunch who were protected by a novice (his words) ref. Final score: 2-1

We didn't plan on playing a second game but we did, albeit a shortened one. With the coaches leaving it to the boys to sort positions, they went on to put in one of the best performances of the season. Will and Adam defended well, Rory tore up the midfield, Toby and Ben raided the flanks and Fyn kept a clean sheet in goal. But the real revelation was Henry who was Andy Carrol-esque in the way he terrorized the Brackley back line... scoring 2 goals and setting up a beauty for Ben off Will's good run. Other goals from Rory and a rocket from Adam sealed a 5-0 thrashing and made Tim and Dave redundant.

Player of the Week: Muller!

End of Season Update

With one game left to play (Brackley April 30th) our season is drawing to a close. But there's still plenty to focus on. We are entered into 3 tournaments (Tower Hill, Crowmarsh and Summertown - please see Tim's emails for details) and we're trying to arrange an 11-a-side fixture. We're also hosting our presentation ceremony at The Closes on May 14th so get your votes in for Players' Player and Parents' Player.

Finally, the new kit has arrived courtesy of RCM Roofing Abingdon. Thanks to Russell for agreeing to be our new sponsor and to Laurinda for arranging everything. The kit will be handed out at an upcoming tournament. Boys will be allocated their existing number and if they wish to swap, they'll have to arrange it themselves. Josh and Lucas (our new boys) will be allocated one of the spare numbers.

I'd also like to thank Paul Carter and WG Carter for their sponsorship over the last 3 years. It was originally a 2 year deal but we squeezed an extra year out due to the size of the shirts!

David

Double Whammy Disappointment

Two matches, two defeats, two teams conceding 5 goals. In many ways, Saturday's match against Middleton Cheney summed up what's been going wrong with the 'A' team this season: no noise, no desire in the tackle, no care of the ball. Time and again we stood and watched and waited whilst a skillful - and committed - MC, cut us apart. The reality is this: we've gone from league champions to hovering just about the relegation zone. Our reputation meant we became a prize scalp and that tag has given other teams an incentive to beat us.

However, there were some genuine glimmers of hope (and not just Henry S' goal kick goal!). The 'A' team were energized by the arrival of Henry M and Ed and at least James S took care with the ball rather than just knocking out a hopeful pass. The use of subs showed we have game changers now competing for a place. Most pleasing of all was the guts, determination and grit displayed by the whole 'B' team... led magnificently by an inspired Joe. Football isn't just about skill, it's about bravery... being brave in the tackle, being brave enough to take ownership of the ball.

We did deserve to lose both games although 5-0 and 5-2 flattered MC. But as coaches, we know what we have to do and that's blend skill with spirit. Let's start against Brackley.

Player of the Week: for a barnstorming back two partnership with a bloodied Rory, Henry M.

Fun in the Sun

A much better day for everyone saw two tight games with Kingston. Game 1 resulted in a 0-0 draw but was packed with incident. Cumnor showed some great build up play on a number of occasions, with Adam, Fyn, Ben and will all linking up nicely, however they were either thwarted by the Kingston goalie or took too long to shoot and ended up being. At the other end, Rory and Toby had good games in defence, Pricey made a number of great saves and Will put in a strong block with his face. When Ollie was beaten we were saved by the crossbar and an out of position referee. The question of goal line technology will be raised at the next committee. Overall a solid performance rather than a great one, and 0-0 was a fair result.

Game 2 saw a spirited fightback from 3-0 down to 3-2, however we just couldn't put the finishing touches on a number of great moves. Will and Rory took turns in goal, and will's goal kicks were a vast improvement on the one seen at Bardwell! Defence was breached too easily in the first half, but saw a much stronger display in the second half, with a combination of Laurie, Joe and Ben keeping Kingston at bay. Everyone else just seemed to play up front! Matt worked hard (and won player of the week), James S and Henry S kept trying their luck and James E linked up play nicely. Overall, a good effort, the last goal proving elusive even with the injury time the ref allowed.

Friendly Fire

We want to Bardwell, some of us with hangovers (the Dads, that is) and got beated twice, scoring 3 own goals in the process. We've a real fight til the end of the season. Let's win that ball and use it well.

Woodwork Woe

Fantastic display by both Cumnor teams this weekend. Unfortunately, our cup run ended thanks to a gritty display by Garden City and the cursed woodwork. Six times. Six times! The ball was crashing in from all angles but we only managed to breach the line once thanks to Ben's second-half scramble. We were desperately unlucky to lose 2-1 and have to accept, it was just one of those days.

Better news from match two with Cumnor holding out to secure an excellent 1-0 win. Poacher supreme James E snuck one in but it was a tribute to the boys battling ways that helped claim the victory. We're certainly on the up and competition for places is growing.

Player of the Week: perhaps the closest one yey but the spoils went to James S for his cultured midfield play.

Blues Turn Blue

It was cold. Really cold. Bitterly, finger freezing, cheek chaffing cold. Poor Henry M turned an entirely new shade of blue and was only saved by immersing himself in Phil's curry splattered coat. Luckily, a few dads had their old internal engines running on overdrive thanks to the previous night's feast.

To Eynsham then, and a chance to try and get some just rewards from the New Year. We set up positively with Adam playing the lone striker role and Rory and Toby forming a stronger bond at the back. Anyway, the action was full on from the start with Cumnor zipping passes across the perma-frost pitch. All the shooting practice paid off as Adam forced a fancy save from the keeper. Soon though, Fyn and Adam combined with a little bit of wizardry for Adam to hit the opener. 1.0.

With Will the winged wonder weaving up and down the pitch and Ben bossing the midfield, Cumnor were playing with all their accustomed verve. Suddenly, the ball broke to Ben and he hit a stunning 30 yard crossfield pass, right against the grain, into the path of Will. Taking it in his stride, he skipped past the defender and slid a beaut in with his right foot. 2-0. Everyone was stunned by the finish and the vision of Ben who saw an unseeable pass.

In then second- half, Rory and Toby remained rock solid at the back and Muller, fighting off penguins and polar bears, was ever alert. Pre-match, we worked on our corners and halfway through the half, we had a chance to try and make it real. Adam hit the danger spot where a waiting Will timed a perfect header into the roof of the net. 3-0.

With the game all but win Cumnor rand the changes with James E and Ollie joining the fray. In fact Ollie almost scored with his first touch. There were other chances too (Will hit the post) but a 3-0 win accomplished in style, warmed the hearts (and other parts) of the Cumnor faithful.

In match two, Cumnor started with Ed in goal, Adam and James S in defence, with a midfield quartet of Matt, Laurie, Ollie and Joe with James E up front. Like most games this season, the second match was a helter-skelter, thrills and spills encounter. Cumnor were aggressive, quick, strong and determined to get some good luck for a change. It didn't come our way but not from lack of trying.

Ed made a series of fine stops, Adam added a different dynamic at the back with James S ably supporting, the fab four midflield quartet made surrender impossible and James 'Turns On A Sixpence' E was balletic and poised. Okay, we went 1-0 down but we scored another terrific goal. The ball broke to James E who looked up and dinked a little ball into Mat. Showing real ice in his veins (and on his legs) Matt took the ball on and found the corner. 1-1. Well done, Matt... for working so hard on your finishing in training.

In the second-half Will came on for Adam and led the offensive. Ed swapped with Ollie and added a certain bullishness to our open play. But unfortunately, Eynsham grabbed a late winner. Undone again. Harsh. 2-1.

Player of the Week: praise to Will, Adam and Fyn in game one and Matt, James E and Joe in game two but for his tackling, his running, his leadership and above all, his precision passing and decision making: Ben.

Unducky!

Two matches full of spills, thrills and rotten luck. But what performances, what a morning, what a way to kiss our chances of retaining the League trophy goodbye.

In match one, Cumnor raced from the blocks and played some lovely one touch football in truly dire conditions. And so did Ducklington, matching Cumnor in ambition and execution. The boys were on fire and the chances were coming. However, it took a piece of individual glory from the twisty turny Fyn to dance through the defence and poke home a startling opener. Game on, glory beckoned... even Will's unfortunate own goal on the stroke of half-time didn't deflect the good mood.

In the second-half, playing with a strong breeze we genuinely felt our time had come. Despite some heroic work from Rory, Ben, Will, Adam, Fyn, Toby and Pricey in goal we couldn't break through. Then, with seconds left, Ducklington broke free and slid a last minute heartbreaking winner in. Oh, foul and fiendish football gods, how can you treat us this way?!? Again.

In match two, the muscle brothers: Joe, Muller, Laurie and Steinsberg took to the field... charging and clashing and bashing and bothering. Matt was snakey out wide, twisting on the wind and James S calmeness itself in the centre of the storm. Freed from the shackles of the yellow shirt (bravely worn instead by a wounded Will) Ollie showed glimpses of midfield maestro Xavi Alonso. But the win, could Cumnor claim a win? No. Despite the many chances (including a 3 minute goal line scramble led by Joe) a mad jack Muller lunge (we think it was Muller, the evidence points to Muller, but we could be wrong) gave Ducklington a penalty and the chance to snatch a 1 - 0 win.

Again, the match was a rollercoaster ride, in fact... the ref was having so much fun he played 45 minutes in the second-half(!) but we still couldn't pull level.

Beaten, not broken. Down, not out. Kind words from the Ducklington manager who paid glowing tribute to our spirit and our football. And we salute Ducklington too... they know, both games this season could have gone either way. For now, the spoils are theirs. Next time, who knows?

Player of the Week: done and dusted by the end of match one - El Fynio for a goal conjured from thin air.

New Year Nailbiter

It takes a brave boy to go in goal and Cumnor saw two impressively brave performances by keepers' Henry and Ollie in the first match(es) of the New Year against Deddington.

Deddington are an interesting bunch; they are strong and physical, play effective and exciting football, have the loveliest management team in the League... and always beat us. So, the Cumnor coaches said to our boys: 'relax, lads... you're the underdogs.' Our attempts at reverse psychology soon backfired as Deddington took a match one 2-0 lead by half-time. Henry was out of position for the first goal and made a mistake but he was unlucky for the second. However, what a test of character, what a giant to come back in the second half and make three spectacular saves.

The boys went into the second-half knowing they had to put Christmas lethargy behind them and battle. And battle they did... like wounded warriors slowly turning Deddington on the rack. Will ran his lungs out down the flank, Ben grew in the captain's shirt, Fyn started telling his teammates about the amazing space he was finding, Rory rocked up and rattled a few big boys, Toby was the terrier we know and Adam, well Adam grabbed both goals. First, leaping onto Will's awesome whipped in cross to head in and then, forcing half a chance across the line. Just.

True, we had a chance to win it but the 2-2 draw against our bogey team felt like a mighty win.

Sometimes football just isn't fair and match two saw one of the season's great injustices: how could Ollie pull off so many incredible saves and still finish on the losing side? Maybe the penalty area is cursed? Perhaps a Kingston shirt was buried under the spot over Christmas damning Cumnor to dastardly ill luck?

Put it another way, there was no way we deserved to lose 4-1, especially after two goals came from some Priceless parries. In defence, Joe and Laurie were lions unleashed. Across midfield, Binky sparkled and shone, Matt thundered up and down the line (and hit a rocket free kick), James E was the classiest player in both matches, Ed the most imposing in the tackle and on the burst and as for Henry S, he took his goal brilliantly after latching onto Binky's smartly headed flick from Pricey's punt.

We may have lost but at both ends - thanks to Henry S and Ollie - we produced the highlights of the game. The clash would have been top of the bill on 'Match of the Day'

Player of the Week: generous applause for both goalies, thumbs up for Binky and Henry S but for leading the charge in the first game, Will