2012 Round Up

Well, we think that's it for the 2011/12 season. A good effort from the boys at Summertown in nightmare windy conditions. I thought Adam's team were unlucky with a dodgy penalty decision which effectively put them out just as they were finding their rhythm. Some lovely play though, and two of the best goals of the days from Rory and Jack. Fyn's team fared better, staying unbeaten all day in open play and failing - just - against Kidlington on penalties, despite Matt's mega save. We played beautiful football, the movement and passing sublime and scored a load of great goals along the way. Thank you too, to our guest players (Jack, OJ, Ryan and Fyn). Mixed fortunes at the tournaments this year with a semi final defeat against eventual winners Middleton Cheney at Crowmarsh, a quarter-final at Summertown but a brilliant win at Radley. As for the season, we started slowly with the coaches struggling to find the right shape and allocate the right roles for the move up to 11 a-side. But we turned the corner at the start of the year and finished 5th in fine form on 22 points. In fact, many coaches from other teams were impressed with the turnaround and were full of praise for the way we play. Final league stats on the season read: Played 16 Won 7 Lost 8 Drawn 1 For 34 Ag. 41 The Awards were the closest yet and congratulations to: Golden Boot: Fyn MI Player: Josh Players' Player: Adam Coaches' Player: Rory Parents' Player: Will Sadly, we say goodbye to some wonderful players and friends. Henry M, Ed, James S will be missed. They have enjoyed many excellent moments on the pitch and have all established themselves as key players. We wish them luck doing other things but you'll always have a place at Cumnor Minors should you decide to return. Tim and David would also like to wish Rob and Rich all the best. Part of the fun of running Cumnor Minors is enjoying the new friendships that have been forged. Again, a warm welcome will always await Rob and Rich. And that is probably that for the 2011/12. In September we move to Sunday fixtures - with maybe the odd Saturday match thrown in. We are looking for new players to fill vacancies and strengthen the squad... so if you hear of anyone interested, let us know. We'll be in touch soon re training but we're probably looking at mid/late August. In the meantime, have a great Summer

The Cumnor/Radley Connection

Radley Winners!

Seven brave boys, eleven incredible games, eight long hours and one unbelievable outcome: Cumnor winners of the 2012 Radley Tournament. In all honesty, we pinpointed an excellent effort and maybe, just maybe, a victory in the plate. After seeing the tough opposition (2 teams from Horspath and Radley, a team from Kidlington and then the unknown, Drayton and Wheatley) expectations weren't especially high. What we didn't count on was the spirit of our boys and how they inspired one another to lift the biggest cup we've ever seen. Consider too, that we didn't have many of our key players and actually in Fyn - who was electric for Radley - were playing against our star striker and golden boot winner. Factor in two scoreless draws to start and the scathing view of the Wheatley keeper - and some of the opposition parents - and we felt we might be heading home early. But we found our range and turned in some fantastic performances, highlights being Radley and the draw with Horspath B in the rounds and a 2-0 win against Horspath A in the semi. As for the final, what a match... what an atmosphere, beating the favourites and the hosts was simply magnificent. A brilliant start with 2 early goals and then an outstanding defensive performance that saw us home 2-1. Every boy played their part: Henry - brilliant instinctive saves especially in the semi and the final. Kept his concentration and most importantly his nerve when everyone else's started to wobble. Rory - as ever, inspirational... midfield, centre-half... the rock ruled and his goal-line header in the last seconds of the final prevented the terror of the golden goal Ben - the beating heart, dug in and battled for everything... linked wonderfully with Will and fed him goodies in the guise of perfect passes. Also scored 3 vital goals and showed nerves of steel with his three-times taken penalty. James E - a revelation out wide, broke up attacks and real footballing nous on the ball. Scored a wonder goal from way out on the right wing. Not bad for someone who said he felt ill! Matt - played in defence, played in midfield, threw himself into every challenge, ran himself into the ground for the cause, for his mates, for the badge. Lucas - another revelation... a little nervous up front to start but then found his home out right. Full of tricks and turns and like Matt, gave everything he had. Will - played defence, midfield, wide left, wide right and up front banging in 9 goals in the process, right foot, left foot the lot. Tied the opposition in knots and took his chances superbly. Well done boys, semi finalists at Crowmarsh, winners at Radley... roll on Summertown.