Back On Track

On a grey and dismal November day, the U11s lit up the gloom with a sparkling performance against bogey team Deddington. All the listening and hard work in training was finally taken on to the pitch as the boys brought passion, determination and guts to their already considerable skills.

There was some tinkering too. Josh was pushed out to left back, Fyn played lone striker and Ben dropped into the hole between midfield and attack. The biggest tactical switch however, was bringing Ed into central midfield to terrorise the opposition, and slotting Will into central defence. For too long this season Will has been isolated out wide, bringing him back to pair up with the formidable Rory, strengthened the spine of the team. There were other little changes that helped, taking the boys into the changing rooms for clear and concise tactical instruction (which Ed followed to the letter) and stirring them up with a little rousing speech. So did the minutes silence which helped focus their minds that football, is after all, a game to be enjoyed.

From the whistle, the boys got at Deddington. Rory and Will held a high line which pushed the midfield on and allowed us to play in Deddington's half. The passing was crisp and slick, Ed and Toby linking especially well and giving Ben plenty of time on the ball. A nice move saw the ball break for Adam but his effort was blocked only for Toby to jump on the rebound and slide it home for his second Cumnor goal. 1-0.

Cumnor were on the attack, sniffing more opportunities. Fyn almost got in but just over ran the ball, Matt and Adam were burning up the flanks and Joe - along with Rory our most consistent player this year - played a lovely ball to put Adam through to win a free kick about 25 yards out. Up stepped Will and smashed it high towards the goal, the keeper got a hand to it but carried it over the line. 2-0.

This was the Cumnor of old... but with 11 confident boys, trusting one another with the ball, talking to each other, fighting for the team. And nothing personified this new attitude than the full blooded challenge made by Matt which could be heard in Middleton Cheney. More attacks came, Josh looking very accomplished in his new role, itching to use his speed and get forward. Toby and Ed got stuck into everything and Ben just refused to be dominated. Deddignton were not done yet and a quick piece of thinking by their striker saw him sprint clear and knock a corner in at the near post. 2-1. Game on.

In recent matches, our heads might have dropped, but this tough re-booted Cumnor would not bow down again. Great work by Matt saw Ben on a twinkle-toe run into the box before chipping the goalie with the deftest of touches only to see the ball go inches wide. Deddington applied the pressure but our twin rocks at the back were winning every header. Then just before half-time, super alert Henry S put a monster kick in which found Fyn. With ground to cover and defenders breathing down his neck, Fyn raced clear and cheekily played it inside the far post for a lovely finish. 3-1.

In the second-half, Cumnor didn't let up despite a ferocious fight back by Deddington. In some ways, this was more pleasing because it showed we were able to protect a lead and still push forward. James S came on and was full of intelligent play. Ed went close and Will put a testing ball in on the keeper which might have beaten a smaller goalie. Admittedly, we played it a little more direct than in recent games but at least we had the ball. With the ball, we're as good as anyone in the league; getting the ball has been our problem. Never at any time in the second-half did we look likely to lose and that shows what a terrific all round performance it was by all 12 players. Here's hoping we've turned the corner and put a slow start to the season behind us.

Player of the Week: shared between Toby (for his midfield generalship) and Will (for taking to a new position so well)

Remember: We can't play lovely without the ball