Cumnor Back To Their Best

An early start on a bitterly cold morning didn't stop the U8s producing one of their best performances of the season.

Match One
A strong seven took to the field keen to reverse the recent defeat by Carterton. The match started at a furious pace with the disciplined Cumnor midfield of Adam M, Will, Ben C and Binky able to take advantage of Rory's solid defensive play. Cumnor quickly got into their stride with all the boys playing crucial roles. James E was superb upfront showing great strength and awareness to hold the ball up and play his rampaging midfield teammates in. Cumnor had quite a few chances and Will, Adam M and two strikes from James put us four goals up. Carterton got one back with an unstoppable long range shot.

The second half was scoreless but Cumnor controlled the match well. Ollie made an excellent save and possibly sacrificed a lung in the process. Great stuff!

Match Two
An even better team performance with Cumnor running out convincing 6-0 winners. Toby and Henry M were rock solid and didn't let Carterton get a sniff. Joe was quick, energetic, lively and showed real awareness. Ed battled valiantly up and down the left flank and scored two beautifully taken goals. Ollie - freed from his goalkeeping duties - orchestrated everything magnificently and was involved in all Cumnor's incisive play. And up front, the warrior, the finisher: James S... scorer of an ice-cool hat-trick and playmaker in one of the best goals of the season. Run tape: Toby snuffed out a Carterton attack, passed upfield to James who muscled into his defender, swivelled and played the pass of the season to Ed who ran on and scored the kind of goal we all dream of scoring. Cue wild celebrations on the touchline.

Wonderful effort by all involved... a real team performance. It's not just about the goalscorers, it's about each and every boy playing for one another. We pass, we tackle, we fight and we think. On mornings such as this, football is a joy.

Player of the Week: for his Berbatov awareness and assassin touch... James E.