Everything Rosy in Garden City

A rather typical Cumnor performance: a one-sided win and a gutsy fightback.

Match One
Luckily, the boys didn't follow Dave's example of how to pass and managed to keep the ball out of some poor unsuspecting resident's cornflakes. A little pre-match riot act was read instructing our midfield to think slicker and find Fyn. They responded well.

Rory, pushed up into midfield fed Ben who found Will out wide. Will skipped past a challenge, dinked it into Fyn to score the opening goal. More good midfield work saw Rory grab the second before Will spun and knocked in the third.

Cumnor were well in control with Joe (deputising for the injured Toby) rock solid at the back. Ben, enjoying his more advanced role, still had the energy to track back and make vital tackles. Adam threatened constantly down the right and scored a cracker inside the near post. Henry could be forgiven for losing concentration but made a stunning save backpedalling and tipping the ball over.

Fyn scored his second after more midfield pressing and then a poacher's third when the goalie dropped the ball at his feet. Normal service resumed for our star striker who made way for James E. Garden City hit a consolation goal (although Henry insists it hit a Cumnor defender - or a beachball - on the way in.) With seconds left, Will knocked in Adam's cross. 7-1.

Lovely stuff Cumnor... beautiful fluid passing, a real joy to watch.

In the second match, Cumnor started well with James E linking up with Binky. However, we did start to look a bit laboured and decided tackling wasn't something we fancied doing. We won a free-kick just outside the box and there was some deliberation whether James 'Gerrard' S or James 'Ronaldo' E would take it. 'Ronaldo' got in first and sent the shot wide. With Cumnor stretched, Garden City scored and we reached half-time 1-0 down.

Second-half, changes. James S went wide right and Super Ed came into midfield to boss the game. Just like last week, he thundered forward terrifying the opposition. Suddenly, we were back in the game (thanks also to the heroics of Joe and Laurie who threw themselves into every challenge.) The game was turning into a cracker but we could have gone further behind if Ollie hadn't made a couple of spectacular saves. Then, the ball broke to James S who twisted away and fed Ed who slipped a ball to Binky to score. 1-1.

With the crowd chomping at the bit, the GC coach about to explode, Dave wondering if his ball had been returned... the ref blew the whistle. A shame, a thoroughly entertaining contest brought to an early end.

Yet again, a slow start redeemed by a gutsy fightback. Maybe next time, we'll get those early tackles in and take the lead for a change? Quicker passing, stronger tackles... the challenge has been laid down.

Player of the Week: mentions for Joe, Henry S, Ed but the unanimous winner, Fyn.