High Tension at Harwell

A thrilling game between Cumnor and Harwell ended in a nerve racking but ultimately satisfying victory for Cumnor.  Games with Harwell are always close and this was no exception, however to deny them a goal and battle as hard as we did for the victory was fantastic.  The boys showed a real spirit of togetherness, working really hard for each other and great determination to hang on for the win.  This was easily our best performance of this season, and probably for some while longer.  Rather than write a full report, we have gone for a comment on each of the players, of whom we are extremely proud:

Harry D - excellent in the sweeper keeper role, very assured on the ball and made saves when he needed to, great handling of crosses - a clean sheet is always welcome;

Doddy - stepped in at LB at the last minute and was excellent.  Worked very well with Finlay, particularly in the first half, and made a number of strong challenges;

Harry S - as usual worked really well going forward, however when needed in the second half really stepped up defensively;

Will - very strong at the back, won tackles, headers, 50/50s etc, and maintained his threat going forward.  Two great free kicks, one of which led to the winning goal;

Fyn - like Will, didn't shirk any tackles, really strong in the air and gave nothing to the Harwell forward - lots of good chat too;

Joseph - worked tirelessly in midfield, won the ball in his usual fashion, and then spread it very well;

Kyle - worked hard alongside Joseph, and hit a couple of very nice passes to spread play;

Alex - really came into the game in the second half, hit every challenge determined to win the ball and was a real threat going forward, putting in a number of great crosses - settling in to the team well;

Finlay - showed his usual skills and has added a level of determination that is making him one of the stars of the season - created a number of chances for the team;

Ben - very strong performance, a real battling display, but then silky skills when on the ball.  A well finished goal to cap it off;

Tom - "knackered" - ran very hard all game, harried the Harwell defence, created chances and came close to getting on the end of a number of crosses - a really strong performance;

Toby - unfortunately due to the quality of the 11 players on the pitch we couldn't get Toby on, however he selflessly accepted this and showed a real team spirit in cheering the team on.

A brilliant effort by all 12  - well done!

Cup run starts

Cumnor cruised through to the next round of the Berks and Bucks cups with a comfortable 5-0 win at Newbury.  On a pitch that could do with a cut (and a roll) Cumnor produced a strong performance to book its place in the next round of the cup.  The 13 boys involved all played very well, creating many chances, and ran out deserved winners.  

Cumnor set up in its traditional 4,2,3,1 formation, with the aim of going to 3 at the back quite quickly.  However, with Harry Stanley playing at RB, Tim and Dave realised we were pretty much 3 at the back from the start!  All joking aside, Harry played as we expect him to, and was on the end of a loose ball to smash home the opening goal.  Cumnor created many more chances, particularly on the left flank where first Rory and then Will had acres of space. The interchange of passing through this area, using Finlay, Ben, Alex and Nathan was excellent and often opened up the Newbury defences.   Joseph, as has been the case this season, was playing a very measured game in the centre of midfield and switching play well to both sides of the pitch.  With Fyn as solid as ever at the back, and Harry D communicating well with all concerned, Cumnor looked very unlikely to concede.  As the game opened up Joseph and Adam both went close and Alex had a header cleared of the line by an opponent’s arm (chest according to the referee!).  1-0 at half time was not as good as it could have been, but Cumnor looked comfortable.  

The second half opened with a flourish.  Charlie and Toby were bought on at the back, allowing Will and Harry to push even further forward. Almost immediately Ben and Will showed great creativity (including a "nuts" called by Dave Stanley), forcing a corner.  The same combination then converted - Ben sending over a whipped corner that Will rose to meet to head Cumnor into a 2 goal lead.  It was from another corner, this time  a well worked short corner between Harry and Adam, that Cumnor took a 3-0 lead, Adam floating a left foot curler into the top corner.  The team were now playing with huge confidence, knocking the ball about and creating chance after chance.  Joe smashed a rasping shot against the crossbar, Finlay poked just wide, and Alex just failed to connect with one of Will's many crosses.  

The game position meant Tim and Dave could ring the changes and give players a go in unfamiliar positions.  Nathan and Adam played 30 mins in the centre of midfield and looked very assured, Alex had a run as centre forward and centre back, and towards the end Fyn and Rory were playing on the wings.  It remained for Will to put the icing on the cake, first with a well-executed dink over the keeper and then with a well struck drive that found the bottom of the net.  A well-deserved 5-0 victory and on to the next round.  

Player of the week was in some ways difficult, and some ways quite easy.  All 13 players did well, Charlie and Toby both assured at the back and happy to play the ball out, the rotating centre backs all very solid, Ben, Alex and Finlay all showing great creative touches, with Adam, Nathan and Harry powering at the opposition.  Will had freedom to play and took full advantage, however player of the week, for the third time in four games was our captain Joseph. He has gone from a no nonsense ball winner to someone who now demands the ball off others and moves it well across midfield and into the danger areas.  Yesterday he showed his shooting isn’t too bad either!  Well done everyone.