Another Mighty Performance

Recent matches have shown how close tough the Witney league has become. They've also shown what a strong position we are in regarding the strength of our squad. With that in mind, the coaches decided to mix the teams up to see how we would cope with the visit of Witney Vikings.

Match One
Ed started in goal, with Toby in defence, a midfield four of Joe, Will, Ben C and Henry S leaving Binky and James E as strikers. If ever there was a game of two halves then this was surely it. Both teams struggled to get the ball down on the ground and play. With a stream of throw-ins and missed chances the early highlight was Ben C smashing the ball into a neighbouring garden. Both teams did get some shots away with Henry S going close. Binky and James S showed some nice touches in attack and Toby tackled forcefully at the back. But it all felt very dis-jointed until the end of the half when the game suddenly burst into life. First, Witney forced a great save from Ed. Then Will picked up the rebound in our area and ran the length of the field leaving defenders in his wake to set up a good chance for our forwards.

The second-half was electric. Cumnor and Witney stood toe-to-toe and produced some superb passages of play. Joe was excellent out wide and kept a close eye on Witney's dangerous number 14. Ben C played a captain's role, anchored the midfield and allowed Will to set off on a series of dazzling runs down the left. Time and again he skipped to the byline and James and Binky were within millimetres away from converting one of his pinpoint crosses. But it wasn't all Cumnor, Witney kept coming back and Toby had his work cut out to keep the Viking hoards back. Week by week Toby has grown into a defender of true class. Yet the real star of the show was Ed who made a number of incredible saves, throwing himself down at the feet of the Witney attackers, fending off fearsome shotes and keeping a clean sheet for the second week running.

In the end, 0-0 was the right result. Considering it was a 'new' Cumnor mix playing against a well-established side, the boys did brilliantly.

Match Two
In the second game, Ollie went in goal, Ben C & Adam W defence, Laurie, Adam M and Fyn across midfield and Will and James S up front.

From the whistle Cumnor were up and at them determined there would be no repeat deadlock. Storming Adam M gave the team real drive from midfield. Will made the goalie work hard and then hit the post. James S also hit the post and incredible, moments later Fyn hit it with a volley for the second week running! With Adam W and Ben brave and solid at the back and Ollie wondering if he'd get to touch the ball, it was only a matter of time before Cumnor scored. And what a goal it was! Picking up the ball out right, Adam M cut inside then unleashed a ferocious right-footed rocket which almost ripped the net apart. There was no stopping us now. Laurie spotted James S in a good wide right position and threaded the perfect pass through to him. James looked up and played a gorgeous first time cross into the box for storming Adam to smash it home with his left foot. 2-0. Will got the next, beating a couple of players on the edge of the area before curling one in and capping off another good all-round display. 3-0.

In the second-half, Ollie went up front with James S, Henry S came into goal and Binky replaced an exhausted (yet reluctant to leave) Ben C at the back. Ollie showed some delightful touches and clever thinking, playing a quick short corner to Adam who blasted a shot just over the bar. James S and Ollie worked nicely together with Ollie setting up a chance for James to coolly finish. 4-0. Moments later, the same two boys combined to score another. 5-0.

With a goal glut looming, Cumnor resisted the temptation to flood forward and kept playing football. Laurie was disappointed to miss from a few yards out but kept his chin up, beat his man beautifully and played the pass of the day into Ollie to score our sixth.

With the goals flying in, Fyn - our ace goalscorer - continued playing a noble part out wide for his team. Then, we set him free up front and predictably, scored our 7th and 8th within minutes. To Witney's credit, they kept battling and sturdy work and brave headers from Binky and Adam W - and solid commands from Henry S - meant we kept another clean sheet. Final score 8-0.

It's not easy playing in a new team but what the matches proved was how quickly we can adapt and find our rhythm. It also proves we have a strong squad full of talented players who can play all over the pitch.

Player of the Week: plaudits for Toby and Ollie but the unanimous choice was Ed for his immense goalkeeping.