The Big Kick Off

An all-action start to the new season (and not just getting the pitch prepped in time) as Cumnor welcomed highly-rated Middleton Cheney to The Closes for the first time. In match one, Henry started in goal, Toby and Rory at the back, Ben, Will & Adam in midfield and Fyn up front.

For a team built on slick passing, we struggled to cope with the extra length on the grass and soon, MC had us on the back foot. Much of the pre-season was focused on strong tackling and being more physical and it was pleasing to see all the boys bringing their training onto the pitch. Toby was rock solid and managed to control the dangerous MC 8. Adam, ploughing unfamiliar territory wide left, also pulled off a stunning slide tackle. However, MC held their pitch positions and managed to take the lead. Cumnor needed to get into the game and did through a nicely taken Will goal. 1-1. With both teams fighting hard, MC went into the break 2-1 up after a great solo goal.

In the second-half, Adam and Will switched wings, Ben stayed more central and the boys managed to find the pace of the pitch. If MC deserved the first-half, we deserved the second. Adam forced a corner which Will dinked in for a sliding Ben to hammer home. 2-1. Cumnor wanted the win and started playing in the way we are used to seeing. Fyn went close twice, with one effort leading to a corner. Quick thinking by Ben drew a defender out for Will to cross into the space for Adam to knock home. 3-2.

With the coaches relieved to be ahead, Dave O shaking the stopwatch to make the seconds pass faster, and Steve M nursing one in the stomach... everyone was feeling tense. It took a last piece of Muller Magic to secure the win with Henry making a full length wonder save - much to the delight of a watching Chris. 3-2.

In match two, Matt started in goal, Laurie and Joe at the back, Binky, Henry and Ollie midfield and James E up front. Playing pretty much the same MC team, this was an intense physical encounter with Joe and Laurie forming the most lethal partnership since Jean Claude Van-Damme and Steven Segal joined forces to take some rogue Russian gangsters down.

Most of the early action was in and around our goal mouth and despite Matt's heroics, MC went ahead. But this was the Cumnor Braveheart 7 captain Binky pounced for the equalizer. 1-1. With the boys at the back blocking everything and the midfield gelling well, Cumnor took control. An uncharacteristic miss by James S let Henry S in for the second and he soon doubled his individual tally taking the boys into a 3-1 half-time lead... and Henry into poll position for golden boot.

In the second-half Binky replaced Matt in goal and the boys knew they would have to fight hard to protect their lead. And fight they did, every single one of them battled to the very end but MC rode their luck and started getting some deserved goals back. With Cumnor out on their knees, the match ended 5-3 to MC. Sure, the boys were disappointed but rightly proud for not taking a single backward step. We can take heart from this impressive squad start and go into the season unafraid of anyone.

Player of the Week: special mentions to Laurie and Joe but for his strength, determination and growing awareness on the ball, Toby