Festive Finish

The boys are back to their winning best and ended 2013 in style with a convincing 5-1 win at Chalgrove. The pitch was a bit difficult but Cumnor tried - and mostly succeeded - in playing a passing game. Recent weeks saw us a little stretched with numbers so the coaches thought this would be the perfect opportunity to play a few boys in unusual positions.

The game started at a frantic pace with no-one able to put their foot on it and control the tempo. Adam made some good progress down the flank and then with 10 minutes on the clock, squared to Will who smashed the opener into the top corner. Joseph and Jack slowly exerted control in the middle and Adam was released to power a low shot into the corner from a very tight angle. 2-0. We made changes with Ben, Rory, Michael and James coming on. Soon, a third followed as Adam's corner was turned in (your goal, Adam)

In the second-half, Will and Ben went to full back, Doddie wide right and Jack wide left. Rory managed to control his nerves and thrived further upfield as Cumnor turned the screw. Our fourth came when Will broke from defence and slipped Fyn in who finished smartly. With the heavens about to open Jack cut into the box and was fouled for a certain penalty. With regular penalty taker Ben off the pitch it was between Jack and Fyn...but Jack wasn't letting the ball go and smashed it in off the post. 5-0.

Cumnor looked good for a clean sheet with Henry, Josh, Toby and Harry all making important blocks and tackles but Charlbury deserved a consolation goal. All in all, a great result and good to see everyone put a performance in: from Nathan and James up front to Josh, Joseph, Harry and Toby at the back.

We reach the half-point of the season joint top of the Oxford Mail A League. Here's to an equally exciting and successful 2014.

Player of the Week: the choice came down to Henry and Fyn but in the end we went for Fyn. He's worked hard in midfield all season we've seen his confidence return. Two goals in two weeks shows his fully back to his finishing best.

The Sweet Smell Of Success

Cumnor took advantage of that unique Appleton smell to get back to winning ways against a very tough Kidlington. Both teams played exceptionally well but the home team held their nerve - and their noses - to win 2-1. The first half was a typical physical scrap, every team seems to be bigger and have more bite than us. But Will was on hand to sweep home the first with his right foot after some nice forward pressure from Fyn, Ben and Nathan.

In the second-half, Adam went close with a long range free kick and Will had many, many more chances to score. But he didn't. It's good to see us creating chances again so things are looking rosy. James and Luke looked sharp up front and the back four, especially Jack, Rory and Toby were big and strong in the tackle. It was great seeing Fyn get on the scoresheet again to claim our second and we seemed to be heading for an easy win before juggernaut Joseph's erm, rather strong, challenge which allowed Kidlington back in with a free kick that the excellent Henry had no chance with.

A frenzied finish but a deserved win against a good team. 2-1 and we're back on top of the league.

Player of the Week: Fyn was busy all over the pitch but was just pipped by an energised Michael who dominated from right back and showed quality in attack and defence. His throws too, give us another attacking option. We could be the new Stoke!

Luck Of The Irish

Actually, that's wrong... Oxford Irish weren't unlucky, they thoroughly deserved their win. In simple terms, we were out fought. Positives included Toby's excellent defensive work and the the gentle re-introduction of Will. Yes the boys were disappointed but the result must not derail a superb start to the season. We are the new boys in the league and we've ruffled a few feathers. There are teams out there gunning for Cumnor and it's how we react to our first league defeat will determine the spirit and fight we have in our squad. Let's learn from the mistakes move on with confidence.

Player of the Week: Toby, he's been superb in the last 2 games