Cumnor Roar Back Into Contention

Ok, we might not win the League but our dreams of a top 3 finish are back on with a blistering win at dangerous Didcot. Recent weeks have been difficult what with injuries, last minute collapses and a depleted squad to pick from. But whilst Jose was parking his buses at Anfield, we went for a more attack-minded approach.

The recent Radley defeat re-iterated that we play better football when we play it fast on the ground. That was the plan, 4-3-3, straight for the jugular football. We knew Didcot would be patient and well drilled, we knew they had 7 District players in their team, we knew they could go short or go long. We knew we didn't want the season to just fizzle out. But it was Martin Hunter who set us up with the suggestion of pairing Fyn and Adam at centre-half. They'd played there before, briefly. Their Saturday side certainly like them there, although not together. It was an intriguing suggestion but with our regular centre-halves playing rugby, Jack reassigned to causing midfield mischief and Will banned by his mother from heading the ball... it seemed like a brainwave.

And it was. Adam and Fyn provided the bedrock, Toby, Harry and Michael nullified the wingers and Henry got better and braver after an early wobble. In midfield, Ben again was everywhere, Joseph rock solid and Jack whippet quick and ready to strike. Up front we looked very dangerous with Will and Doddie full of purpose and ideas. And Nathan, what a season he's had. He opened the scoring early in the half after taking the ball wide and calmly slotting it in. Didcot equalised after we were caught square but Will - returning to the team and the scoresheet - banged one in.

Cumnor were up and flying but Didcot continued to threat. Adam was unlucky with a clearance which fell to a Didcot striker leaving it 2 - 2 at half time.

We re-organised slightly in the second half reverting to a 4-4-2. This gave us a more solid line but we still committed to the attack. Ben broke through and was thwarted at the near post by the Didcot keeper causing him to depart the action with a muscle pull. A new keeper, a corner, a chance... but Adam's cross was punched away, threat over. Except it wasn't. Fyn, 30 yards out, swivelled and hit the ball on the bounce into the roof of the net. The goal of the game? Not just that, the goal of the season! Didcot came back with everything but didn't reckon on James and Joseph playing a blinder as holding midfielders. We snuffed out an attack, we broke and left it once more for Nathan to smash home a wonderful fourth.

4 - 2, a great, great win. Have Cumnor rediscovered our best form? It looks like we might have.

Player of the Week: Adam and James played very well in newish positions, Nathan caused the opposition massive problems, Will added another dimension to our attacking play but the prize went to stand in skipper, centre-half and half volley maestro, Fyn.

Spirited Cumnor Rocked By Radley

Our second match in 3 days against the same opposition, another loss but in terms of attitude and adventure a whole world away from Sunday's meek capitulation. The boys were on it from the off, playing exciting ball to feet attacking football, harrying Radley and frightening them with a fluid 4-3-3 formation. The first half was a good a half as we've played this season with Ben quite magnificent pulling the strings in attack. Jack too was a boy unleashed, tormenting, teasing, tricking his way down the wing and Nathan was incredibly unlucky not to score the opener in the first few minutes. Was the keeper fouled? Not sure... but in fairness to the ref, it happened so quickly he probably felt it right to err on the side of caution.

Cumnor didn't let the early disappointment quell our attacking instincts and moved the ball with intelligence and speed. This is is football OUR way. Joseph, Adam and Jack were quick to break, Fyn offering an outlet in the channel. Whilst at the back, Harry, Josh, Rory and Michael marshalled the ball away from Henry's goal and out into the open spaces. The momentum was with us, the gauntlet hurled down. Then, disaster, Michael - so assured and accomplished at full back - came off with a pulled muscle. Luckily, Toby was on hand to bring his blocking nous to the game.

Half-time, 0-0 and we were set fair to take the game on.

However, the second-half wasn't quite as one-sided. An early injury to Joseph saw him leave the action and we had to re-organise with James coming on up front. What effected us was two boys on the bench unable to play and that meant we couldn't rest and rotate. To play the high tempo football of the first half required numbers in reserve... our boys understandably couldn't keep the pace up. This allowed Radley to come more into the game but luckily, Henry was more than a match for them. The goal came from a break and was superbly taken. We never quite threatened after that. But the cries from the home spectators to take the ball into the corner and for the ref to blow up proved we had reestablished our reputation from last Sunday. It was one heck of a game of football. And it signifies our intent for the rest of the season: we will go for it.

Player Of The Week: a collective award to all 13 players. But Ben was especially good in that first half

Cup Dreams Smashed

Well, it was a fairly one-sided affair but congratulations to Radley for ending our cup run. We lost 3-0 and on reflection, we can't complain. Radley's physical superiority made it impossible for Cumnor to make in roads. We could have played smarter, we could have used the pace and the creativity we have out wide but it wasn't to be. The boys fought valiantly but it was a day for thinking rather than fighting. And we left our football brains in bed.

Player of the Week: a gutsy midfield display from Ben was one of the few highlights