After our excellent coverage in the Oxford Mail we had to ensure we didn't slip up against Goring and thankfully, it was business as usual and a 6 point lead at the top of the A league.
Not ideal conditions with the Appleton pitch cutting up and a freezing mist descending but Cumnor started very brightly with James almost scoring the fastest goal in Oxford Mail League history. The boys were instructed to play their football and work their openings and a new central midfield partnership of Adam and Luke certainly gave us attacking impetus. Ben and Fyn worked the wide areas and Nathan and James combined smartly up front with their understanding and link play improving with each performance.
The first half was all about making - and taking - chances and it was something Nathan did superbly. Time and again he found himself with just the goalie to beat and time and again he slotted the ball home. Four goals in one half from one player is quite some tally and it is a testament to Nathan's dedication and attitude that he felt disappointed he didn't score more (well, his dad did!) Ben got on the sheet as well, clearly enjoying the freedom of playing out wide, he forced the ball home with a powerful shot that took a little help from the defence.
With no Henry and Harry, Jack went in goal and his first touch was to pick the ball up from the back of the net. Chris just glowered. But Jack came good and despite not having too much to do, he made some good saves and was very commanding of his area. In the second-half he swapped with Rory who was equally adept, making a brilliant save with his cheek.
The goals kept coming in the second-half with Will grabbing two including a lovely first time finish and Fyn jumping on the end of a cross to score from close range. Doddie and Michael combined perfectly down the right and Toby was like Des Walker himself, as in 'you'll never beat Des Walker'. Adam started to dictate the tempo, Joseph was his usual solid self and a lively Luke always looking to latch onto a loose ball. Nathan gave the net a rest and played a very sound half at the back, allowing us to switch to a 3-5-2 formation. As we move into the business end of the season, flexibility and options are key to where we'll finish this season.
A final score of 8-2 and another win. Goring made us work hard but the boys displayed excellent discipline and patience.
Player of the Week: special mention to Michael and Adam but the decision went Nathan's way for giving us a real 'game of two halves'.
Tuesday 14 January 2014
Monday 6 January 2014
New Year Nailbiter
A 6-3 win over Harwell might not sound like a close game but the result somewhat flatters Cumnor. The tension was quite high before kick-off because we had to fight against a water-logged pitch and the threat of another downpour to make sure the match went ahead. In the end, sand, rakes, forks and a lucky freeze overnight meant that our match was the only game played in Oxfordshire.
Cumnor looked to be in the middle of the Christmas break after conceding two very early goals. Both were down to defensive lapses, the second even came from our attacking corner. What Cumnor did have was available numbers which meant David and Tim could tweak the formation and the on-field 11. Josh and Michael came on to steady the defence, Doddie pushed wide right and started feeding Will and Fyn up front. Chances were created and soon we were back in the game after Luke scrambled one in from a few yards out. Minutes later, good work from Doddie and Fyn put Adam in, 2-2. By now, Cumnor were in the ascendency with Joseph and Ben winning the battle of the midfield mud. Another pressing move down the right, another cross and there was Joseph to score his very first Cumnor goal and take us into half-time 3-2 up.
The second-half saw James and Nathan paired up front, Toby in defence, Jack wide left and a bench of Rory, Will, Fyn and Ben... something we would have never dreamed of doing last season. But we have every faith in our squad and despite Harwell getting an equaliser, we knew Cumnor would win.
Harwell played some good football and they were very strong in defence and on the right. Nathan scored an excellent individual goal tearing in from the left and finding the net. 4-1. The changes were coming quickly, Jack took a knock, Will and Ben replaced a shattered Luke and Joseph, and Rory was once more in the game. Will went down 25 yards out after a heavy challenge leaving Adam to clip home a lovely free-kick. 5-3. The match was all but over yet Henry still had to be focussed. Harry moved to wide left and gave us plenty of width, James was putting in some nice touches. The last goal from Rory was scrambled in but our skipper ensured no upstart striker would claim that goalscoring chance.
Full credit to both teams for playing excellent attacking football in very sticky conditions. Cumnor go back to the top of the A league. No slip ups now, boys!
Player of the Week: Michael was excellent, Fyn worked very hard and Josh added steel to our backline but for a really clever, skilful performance, the award went to Doddie.
Cumnor looked to be in the middle of the Christmas break after conceding two very early goals. Both were down to defensive lapses, the second even came from our attacking corner. What Cumnor did have was available numbers which meant David and Tim could tweak the formation and the on-field 11. Josh and Michael came on to steady the defence, Doddie pushed wide right and started feeding Will and Fyn up front. Chances were created and soon we were back in the game after Luke scrambled one in from a few yards out. Minutes later, good work from Doddie and Fyn put Adam in, 2-2. By now, Cumnor were in the ascendency with Joseph and Ben winning the battle of the midfield mud. Another pressing move down the right, another cross and there was Joseph to score his very first Cumnor goal and take us into half-time 3-2 up.
The second-half saw James and Nathan paired up front, Toby in defence, Jack wide left and a bench of Rory, Will, Fyn and Ben... something we would have never dreamed of doing last season. But we have every faith in our squad and despite Harwell getting an equaliser, we knew Cumnor would win.
Harwell played some good football and they were very strong in defence and on the right. Nathan scored an excellent individual goal tearing in from the left and finding the net. 4-1. The changes were coming quickly, Jack took a knock, Will and Ben replaced a shattered Luke and Joseph, and Rory was once more in the game. Will went down 25 yards out after a heavy challenge leaving Adam to clip home a lovely free-kick. 5-3. The match was all but over yet Henry still had to be focussed. Harry moved to wide left and gave us plenty of width, James was putting in some nice touches. The last goal from Rory was scrambled in but our skipper ensured no upstart striker would claim that goalscoring chance.
Full credit to both teams for playing excellent attacking football in very sticky conditions. Cumnor go back to the top of the A league. No slip ups now, boys!
Player of the Week: Michael was excellent, Fyn worked very hard and Josh added steel to our backline but for a really clever, skilful performance, the award went to Doddie.
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