1. It was a superb achievement to reach the Oxford Mail Cup Final.
2. The boys adapted well to the different systems we applied on the day.
3. No-one lost heart.
4. Ducklington set the standard for our age group in Oxfordshire.
5. Our time will come.
It was a strange old final. The 4-0 win was deserved but Cumnor played well and created chances especially in the first-half. But Ducklington's discipline, intensity, power, organisation and speed of thought and execution won through. There was little point trying to contain the League champions, we had to attack and an attacking three of Tom, Will and Nathan certainly asked questions. But we just lacked… something. It wasn't heart or desire… it was an ability to match them in the maelstrom in all areas of the pitch. There were some stand out Cumnor cameos: Joseph threw himself into every tackle, Fyn and Tom added pace and power up front, Will produced the outstanding moment of skill to bamboozle two defenders and create a chance, and Harry D made a series of superb saves… including a finger-tipped worldy. But it just wasn't to be.
We left the field bitterly disappointed but with our heads held high. Our challenge next season is to improve on our Cup and League finishes, work hard, push on and fulfil the true potential we have as a squad.
Player of the Week: Will and Harry, great performance on the big stage. Well done.
