Cup Run Continues

Eynsham, going well in the division below us, fancied an upset. And, when they saw us turn up with 11 players and saw Ben bloodied and Adam crocked in the warm up, they were rubbing their hands with glee. But, this is Braveheart Cumnor, bold Cumnor, slick passing high tempo Cumnor, set up to break quickly and score.

A game of two halves? Only if you look at the 4-1 score. True we did the damage in the first half through a Will drive and top corner free kick, a nice Ben strike and a neat piece of following up by Toby, but we were unlucky not to add to the score in the second half. Rory, rampaging through the midfield, almost scored a screamer, we hit the post and James E had one stopped on the line. True, we conceded but Ben could barely run and Toby was carrying a knock. We re-jiggled, re-structured and still kept control despite the best efforts of a committed Eynsham.

We're looking good and focussed, we have a plan. Here's to taking the spoils at Deddington next Sunday.

Player of the Week: Rob lavished praise on all 11 but the decision was unanimous, and the award went to Ed for playing exceptionally well on the left wing.

Blown Away

That's the only way to describe it; blown away by a performance of skill, guts and passion when all seemed lost. What a game, full of dazzling interlinking play, tough tackling, lots of tinkering and a gale force wind.

We knew we'd have to make the wind advantage pay in the first half and we had about 90% of the territory. It took a while but Fyn opened the scoring with a neat finish. Rory got the second with a powerful drive before a clever pass by Adam saw Will in for the third and a half-time lead of 3-0.

We tinkered, we re-shaped, we brought Ben into the centre, pushed Will wide, brought Joe on and placed Josh in the heart of defence with Rory. We knew we'd be under the cosh due to the trying conditions but didn't expect to go two down quite so quickly. All the insecurities, all the bad luck that's dogged us this season came flooding back and suddenly, Chippy were level. We tweaked again, pulling Will central and pushing James E and Lucas wide. Then the penny dropped and Cumnor started playing football. Will found Fyn who nodded it to Adam to slam in the fourth. All the fear and insecurity slipped away and Cumnor played like the Cumnor of old and it was fitting that Fyn scored two awesome goals to complete his hat-trick... and show the crowd his 'Sleepover Celebration'. 3-0 up, 3-3 and then a 6-3 win... there's never been a game like it.

Player of the Week: James S, Josh and Rory... Matt in the first-half, Will and Ben in midfield but it came down to Adam and Fyn. Adam set up 4 of the 6 goals and scored a beauty but in the end, Fyn for taking his chances so brilliantly

Gutted

It's hard to remain positive when events seem plain wrong but that's what we have to do after another sickening defeat, this time against Bardwell. From the sidelines the decisions that went against us (penalty conceded, penalty denied, hand ball missed) seemed harsh but the boys reacted with dignity and class and got on with the game.

As a spectacle, it was a bit kick and miss but Cumnor did play some lovely stuff in the second half forcing the Bardwell keeper two make a series of very fine saves. Will controlled the tempo of the match when he moved into midfield and Ben capped a fine display out right with a truly excellent goal. Our defending improved as the game wore on with Josh and Rory combining well and James S having a quite excellent game at right back. And, it was great to see Lucas make a lively debut.

Well done to Barwdell, unlucky Cumnor... here's hoping we get a decision soon.

Player of the Week: James S for his staunch defending