End of Season Stalemate Cumnor met Banbury with the aim of continuing our excellent run of form and ending the season with another win, and a top half points total of 24. It wasn't to be. Maybe it was the filthy conditions or tiredness but we never looked anywhere near the team of recent weeks. What was pleasing however, was the fightback to draw level after conceding two soft early goals. Both goals could - and should - have been dealt with but the boys showed real grit and determination to get something from the game. Perhaps it was knowing this might be the last time we played together but it was great to end with a point. The scoring was opened by an electric Adam edge-of-box smash after Will performed some trickery to play him in. Adam repaid the assist later with a deep corner which Will used a part of his body (not one normally associated with goalscoring) to um, 'prod' home. Adam had a another chance and forced a quite brilliant save from the keeper. Going in at 2-2 felt like a mini victory and we looked odds on for the win. In the second-half, Lucas, James E and Henry M replaced Matt, Joe and Ed. The game became a dogfight with both teams threatening. Ben burst through on a scintillating run and overcame a heavy challenge to force a save. He could have gone down but the coaches were proud that he stayed on his feet and went for the goal. With matters getting tense we re-organised slightly, pushing Will into centre-half, Josh left-back and James E central midfield. By the final whistle, both teams were happy with the draw and a point each seemed a fair result. Great effort again, stirring fightback and nice to end a topsy turvy season on a high. Player of the Week: Josh for another solid defensive performance

High Five Cumnor

‘I have a plan so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel’. To quote, roughly, Edmund Blackadder, we went to bogey team Deddington with a fiendish plot to negate their physicality and their agricultural playing surface. The plan was to play it long to a three-pronged attack of Will, Fyn and Ben and go for goals. Big boots at the back, slick finishing up front and a lot of harrying in the middle. From the whistle the boys in blue were up for it, looking to stretch the Deddington defence with some awesome straight for the jugular play. Ed was patrolling the left with menace and linking up beautifully with Will who was leading the defence a merry dance through the long grass. Fyn - with his 'new romantic' hairstyle - led the line manfully and Ben was willing to drop back and help Adam deal with the excellent Nick. The first chance however, went to Deddington and after a slight hesitation, Henry raced out and gathered the ball. The ball was worked left and Will went on one of his lovely twisting runs of old before smashing a shot through the goalie's hands into the net. 1-0. On the other side of the pitch, Matt was engaged in another lung busting odyssey and his efforts were almost rewarded with a brilliant solo goal after a great, charging run. Rory and Josh held the line, Ben scrapped and Adam played in Will who crossed to Fyn. The ball dropped at his feet and somehow the newly-fringed poacher mis-kicked it home 2-0. Deddington are rugby players and unlikely to give in without a fight. Adam was fighting like a man possessed in a lonely midfield. Toby and Joe were strong and alert and, after Ben went close with a header, the scene was set for the game's defining moment. The ball broke to Fyn in the left-hand side of the box. He could have passed, but no, his striker's instinct told him to set off on an impossible run as he glided and twisted past 4 players to face the goalie. As he looked up to square it, Will yelled 'shoot' and Fyn did, scoring a wonder goal. His father's tears of pride told all what a very special moment it was. The plan had worked and we had got the goals. Now we needed to consolidate. Ben and Will dropped back into central midfield, Adam pushed on to support James E and Henry came on for Matt. Deddington fancied a comeback and the chances started piling up but Henry S was in inspired form and Rory wasn't going to let any rugby player get the better of him. The boys never stopped battling to keep a clean sheet and they achieved it. 3-0. Five league wins in a row, superb individual and team performances, let's finish in style against Banbury. Player of the Week: everyone got a mention because everyone contributed but in the end, we went for Fyn for making his dad cry. Nice one.

Cumnor Keep Winning

Wow. What a match, both teams committed to playing football, looking to pass and work openings whilst dealing with a difficult bounce. With Tower second in the table, the coaches felt this was a day to play without fear and see what happened. It's true to say we weren't predicting a win but the U11s are full of self belief and when they play without fear, they're capable of anything.

We were down to just 12 boys with the big changes Henry M in goal instead of Henry S and James E leading the line in Fyn's absence. There was also a last minute re-adjustment with James S out injured leaving Ed to slot in at left back. Otherwise, it was the formation that has served us so well.

Tower took the early initiative working the ball through the midfield but our back line of Joe, Rory, Josh and Ed is a match for anyone... especially with Muller barking at them from behind. But you can't score goals without creating chances and Will did some nice trickery before finding bullet-headed Adam who lashed a fierce drive past the keeper. 1 - 0. From that point, Cumnor held their own with Ed and Toby fantastic out wide and Matt and Lucas running strong and hard.

In the second-half, Cumnor comfortably controlled the game. Ben forced a fantastic save from the keeper and James was unlucky to send the rebound inches wide. Tower went close as Henry lost the ball only for him to throw himself at the attackers feet and claim it. Tower slowly got more frustrated as Cumnor grew in confidence. The final whistle went to generous applause from all who had seen a really good game of football.

18 points, halfway in the league, on a run of wins...we are the form team so let's aim to finish on 24 points.

Player of the Week: Will and Ben dovetailed nicely in midfield, the back 4 and Henry were watertight but the award went to Adam for a muscular display and a great strike.