Cup Run Goes On

A far more convincing performance form a Cumnor team determined to win the Oxford Mail U14 Cup.
With 15 boys to choose from we were keen to exploit this strength in depth and look at new combinations with Ben, Doddie and Fin playing three across midfield in front of Kyle and Joseph. We started with real fluidity and movement, using the strong wind to our advantage. Nathan threatened in the box and the solid back four of Michael, Fyn, Tom and Rory allowed the midfield five to press on.

We've tried to encourage the boys in training - mainly through playing two-touch football - to think faster and for themselves during play; to anticipate events and when an opening arises, get their shots away early. Ben responded in sublime style hitting a wonderful 25-yarder with his left foot straight into the top corner. He saw the opening for a second but trusted his ability to finish brilliantly from distance. 1 - 0. Doddie - again playing well out wide - put in some lovely corners allowing our aerial threat of Fyn and Tom to go close. We then made the first of our planned changes with key players Will and Adam joining the action. Will announced his arrival by clipping the bar from 30-yards out. Soon however, we were two up with a typically smart Nathan finish from a Fyn effort. 2 - 0.

Rory took a breather after struggling with the after effects of illness allowing Toby to bring his usual resilient self to proceedings. The ball was worked wide to Will who raced into the box, testing the keeper before knocking the rebound home for a fine solo effort. 3 - 0.

In the second-half, playing against the wind, Charlie came on to look after the excellent Oxford City winger. The wind made things difficult for us and the increasingly confident Harry in goal had to be very alert. Despite some strong defending, City got a deserved goal. We could have wobbled but Will took a quick free-kick to Adam who powered into the area before playing a beautifully weighted pass to Nathan for his second. 4 - 1.

Overall, comfortable winners. We could have scored more goals but the City keeper made some superb saves. The middle areas were a bit of a lottery with Kyle and Joseph grafting hard but we were deserved winners and happily took our place in the quarter-finals. We celebrated with delicious chocolate cake to mark Tom's 14th birthday.

Player of the Week: some tough tackling from Toby but pow was Ben for his superb goal and excellent distribution, tackling and awareness.