Unflappable Cumnor Slide Past Harwell

The conditions were atrocious, the pitch slick and muddy but we were thankful to the Harwell management team for ensuring the match went ahead. In the circumstances, it was a remarkable performance from the boys at a place where we've come unstuck before.

In the recent months we've worked on the 3 P's: passing, pressing and possession. We feel as a coaching team, these three footballing principles best suit the style of football we want to play and fits the make up of our squad. Ok, we've played lower end A league opposition but when we click, as we did on Sunday, we can outplay teams who provide a sterner test. The boys are listening, the boys are thriving.

Another pleasing aspect is the strength we have in depth now. We are a squad where every player plays an integral part. Every single boy could confidently start and it is becoming increasingly difficult to select a starting 11. In fact, that 'starting 11' is a fluid concept because we have 16 boys regularly available who can easily make the starting 11. For us, it's a squad game, the boys know it it and they also know they'll get good game time.

From the off against Harwell, Cumnor held a high line with the defensive 4 of Toby, Michael, Tom and Fyn pushed on to squeeze the opposition front line by Harry, who is growing in confidence with each outing. Time and again Harwell found themselves stepping offside due to our aggressive defending, proof that the communication and awareness of our defensive unit is also improving. In midfield, Kyle and Joseph continued their excellent and instinctive partnership whilst Will and Adam sniped and threatened down the wide areas. Adam's powerful running and dangerous right - and left - boot, kept Harwell on the back foot. Just ahead of him Ben, growing in confidence in the difficult 10 role, is beginning to select his passes beautifully… and not just to Will. Nathan, buoyed by a hat-trick last week, was full of attacking threat choosing to run onto his favoured right foot.

Cumnor deservedly broke the deadlock after Adam smashed a left foot shot in from wide out. We made it 2 when Nathan jumped on a scrambled clearance and we deserving of our lead. Changes were made with Doddie, Finlay and Charlie coming off the bench and getting straight into the action. More goals followed with Doddie and Ben (thanks to Toby's nodded 'assist') both finishing off clever attacking moves.

We throughly deserved the win and played excellent, controlled football dictating the pace and protecting the ball. We should have scored more and certainly created chances, Will hitting the bar from a tight angle. Harwell too, played nice football and the game was a joy to watch despite the extremely tough conditions… and the bizarre observations of the Harwell asst manager. Congratulations to players on both sides for giving us such a wonderful spectacle.

Here's to a good outcome against old foes Ducklington and the continuation of our excellent run of form.

Player of the Week: Ben showed some lovely touches, Toby played valiantly in defence and in midfield, Adam's great form continued and Tom recovered well from his bad knock last week but POW again, is the ever excellent 'New Rory', Fyn.