New Year Nailbiter

It takes a brave boy to go in goal and Cumnor saw two impressively brave performances by keepers' Henry and Ollie in the first match(es) of the New Year against Deddington.

Deddington are an interesting bunch; they are strong and physical, play effective and exciting football, have the loveliest management team in the League... and always beat us. So, the Cumnor coaches said to our boys: 'relax, lads... you're the underdogs.' Our attempts at reverse psychology soon backfired as Deddington took a match one 2-0 lead by half-time. Henry was out of position for the first goal and made a mistake but he was unlucky for the second. However, what a test of character, what a giant to come back in the second half and make three spectacular saves.

The boys went into the second-half knowing they had to put Christmas lethargy behind them and battle. And battle they did... like wounded warriors slowly turning Deddington on the rack. Will ran his lungs out down the flank, Ben grew in the captain's shirt, Fyn started telling his teammates about the amazing space he was finding, Rory rocked up and rattled a few big boys, Toby was the terrier we know and Adam, well Adam grabbed both goals. First, leaping onto Will's awesome whipped in cross to head in and then, forcing half a chance across the line. Just.

True, we had a chance to win it but the 2-2 draw against our bogey team felt like a mighty win.

Sometimes football just isn't fair and match two saw one of the season's great injustices: how could Ollie pull off so many incredible saves and still finish on the losing side? Maybe the penalty area is cursed? Perhaps a Kingston shirt was buried under the spot over Christmas damning Cumnor to dastardly ill luck?

Put it another way, there was no way we deserved to lose 4-1, especially after two goals came from some Priceless parries. In defence, Joe and Laurie were lions unleashed. Across midfield, Binky sparkled and shone, Matt thundered up and down the line (and hit a rocket free kick), James E was the classiest player in both matches, Ed the most imposing in the tackle and on the burst and as for Henry S, he took his goal brilliantly after latching onto Binky's smartly headed flick from Pricey's punt.

We may have lost but at both ends - thanks to Henry S and Ollie - we produced the highlights of the game. The clash would have been top of the bill on 'Match of the Day'

Player of the Week: generous applause for both goalies, thumbs up for Binky and Henry S but for leading the charge in the first game, Will