Ok, we might not win the League but our dreams of a top 3 finish are back on with a blistering win at dangerous Didcot. Recent weeks have been difficult what with injuries, last minute collapses and a depleted squad to pick from. But whilst Jose was parking his buses at Anfield, we went for a more attack-minded approach.
The recent Radley defeat re-iterated that we play better football when we play it fast on the ground. That was the plan, 4-3-3, straight for the jugular football. We knew Didcot would be patient and well drilled, we knew they had 7 District players in their team, we knew they could go short or go long. We knew we didn't want the season to just fizzle out. But it was Martin Hunter who set us up with the suggestion of pairing Fyn and Adam at centre-half. They'd played there before, briefly. Their Saturday side certainly like them there, although not together. It was an intriguing suggestion but with our regular centre-halves playing rugby, Jack reassigned to causing midfield mischief and Will banned by his mother from heading the ball... it seemed like a brainwave.
And it was. Adam and Fyn provided the bedrock, Toby, Harry and Michael nullified the wingers and Henry got better and braver after an early wobble. In midfield, Ben again was everywhere, Joseph rock solid and Jack whippet quick and ready to strike. Up front we looked very dangerous with Will and Doddie full of purpose and ideas. And Nathan, what a season he's had. He opened the scoring early in the half after taking the ball wide and calmly slotting it in. Didcot equalised after we were caught square but Will - returning to the team and the scoresheet - banged one in.
Cumnor were up and flying but Didcot continued to threat. Adam was unlucky with a clearance which fell to a Didcot striker leaving it 2 - 2 at half time.
We re-organised slightly in the second half reverting to a 4-4-2. This gave us a more solid line but we still committed to the attack. Ben broke through and was thwarted at the near post by the Didcot keeper causing him to depart the action with a muscle pull. A new keeper, a corner, a chance... but Adam's cross was punched away, threat over. Except it wasn't. Fyn, 30 yards out, swivelled and hit the ball on the bounce into the roof of the net. The goal of the game? Not just that, the goal of the season! Didcot came back with everything but didn't reckon on James and Joseph playing a blinder as holding midfielders. We snuffed out an attack, we broke and left it once more for Nathan to smash home a wonderful fourth.
4 - 2, a great, great win. Have Cumnor rediscovered our best form? It looks like we might have.
Player of the Week: Adam and James played very well in newish positions, Nathan caused the opposition massive problems, Will added another dimension to our attacking play but the prize went to stand in skipper, centre-half and half volley maestro, Fyn.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment