Cumnor Come Of Age

A staggering display, a monumental performance, a result which will send shockwaves through the county. Under a glowering sky, on October 20th 2013, Cumnor Minors came of age. To go toe-to-toe with a team like Horspath, a team blessed with talent, skill and belief, shows just how far we've come since September.

In the last few weeks, the coaches have impressed on the boys the need to be disciplined, strong, organised and patient. Yes, results have been great but we knew our first encounter against the current champions would determine what we actually have. And what we have is spirit right through the 16 boys who represent us each week.

As for the match itself, it was a classic. The boys had to stay strong and focussed knowing that a slipped tackle or a lost position might be crucial. The boys had to be on it from the first to last whistle and my word, they were.

In the first half, we created chances with Fyn going agonisingly close from wide out and Will testing the keeper with a speculative lob. Yet it was Horspath who broke the deadlock after a slight hesitation at the back. We thought this might happen so the boys were primed to respond. They were challenged not to accept falling behind but to fight to get back into the game. Quick rotation meant the boys could run and challenge and shadow and block and then, when driven into the ground, they could seek some respite off the pitch. Never has 'the squad' system been so important. Then towards the end of the half, our pressure told and we were awarded a free kick from 25 yards out. Will stepped up and hit the target - scoring his third free kick of the season - after the unlucky Horspath keeper spilled into his net. Cumnor might have been down on possession but in the stat that counts, we went in level at half-time. 1-1.

In the second-half, to combat the domineering Horspath numbers 5 and 10, we bolstered the midfield allowing Ben, Joseph and Michael to hunt as a wolf pack, leaving the valiant Nathan - more than proving a point to his former coaches - to lead the line. We also brought Will and his heading ability into centre-half and unleashed Adam and Fyn out wide. Suddenly the whole tone of the match shifted. Horspath passed and moved, jinked and feinted but Cumnor wouldn't roll over. Joseph was a beast in the tackle, Rory inspired, Doddie more than a match for the tricky 6, Toby and Jack ever willing to throw themselves into a challenge. And then there was Ben. The last time Ben took a game by the scruff of the neck was against Deddington last season. Yesterday, he played the half of his life. It wasn't just his skill and determination, it was his cleverness and aptitude for work. With Will, Rory, Toby, Harry and Jack solid... Ben, Joseph, Luke, Michael and Adam leading the counter with speed and incisiveness. And then we scored one of the best smash and grab goals you'll ever see... forged in midfield, buried by Ben but made with the most audacious - and inspired - reverse pass from Fyn. It really doesn't matter that Fyn isn't finding the net... he is finding magic in the spaces between the attacking lines.

2-1, the rain, the tension, the cries from the opposition and then, surprisingly, a penalty. Up stepped clinical Ben to finish the job, 3-1. And whilst all this was going on, whilst the tackles were flying in, the headers being won, the attacks unfolding, whilst all this was happening, there stood Henry in goal. All the hard work with Chris and Graham, all the lonely hours at Tilsley brought him to this point, his finest hour and the effusive praise of the Horspath coach.

We beat Horspath. We are top. This is just the beginning because now, our brilliant brilliant boys... are the team EVERYONE wants to beat.

Player of the  Week: Henry, Jack, Doddie, Adam, Toby, Harry, Rory, Will, Ben, Michael, Joseph, Luke, Nathan, Fyn, Josh, James