Cumnor Minors V Faringdon 23rd September 2007
Faringdon were the visitors to the Closes on a sunny Sunday morning. Faringdon had been playing well so it looked like it was going to be a close game.
It was a noon kickoff. Both Colin and Martin showed their great excitement by turning up an hour early. Congratulations on their keen attitude was slightly tempered by the fact that they had forgotten to bring Biggy and Robbie with them.
Cumnor and Faringdon attacked from the kick off. Henry stopped a Faringdon attack. Ben gathered the ball and found Shaun. Shaun slipped a great ball to Luke. Luke raced onto the ball. He then carried the ball into the box and fired an unstoppable shot into the net. It was a great start. Cumnor were looking to add to their lead as Mark pushed the ball to Freddie. Freddie found Ollie. Ollie broke free from his marker. With only the goalie to beat, Ollie fired the ball just wide. It is probably the furthest forward that Ollie has ever been and I think he was overcome by excitement. Fraser was playing at the back and was covering well. He was moving forward at every opportunity. At the other end Cumnor suffered a scare. A long shot by a Faringdon player looked like it was just going to be too high for Tim. Tim fired himself upwards. He managed to grab the ball. But the ball was wet due to the rain. It slipped out of his hands and bounced towards the goal. As it got to the goal line, Tim grabbed the ball and stopped it going over the line. After we managed to get Dave B's and Dave S's hearts started again, Tim cleared the ball. Ryan broke on the right and was unlucky not to find Luke with a great pass. Alex, yet again, had to be at his best to make a great last gasp tackle. The first half finished 1-0.
Faringdon were looking dangerous and Henry made a great clearance with his head. Alex was starting to find a bit of room to come forward and start an attack. Mark and Ryan were holding their own on the left with some great defensive stops.
A clearance from Fraser found Freddie on the half way line. He raced towards the goal. The defender and Freddie were shoulder to shoulder. As he raced in, the goalie narrowed the angle. Freddie then slid the ball into the net. 2-0 to Cumnor. It gave Cumnor some breathing space.
Harri came on at half time. He was not looking too well. Supposedly he was ill and not just embarrassed with the hoodie that his mum forced him to wear. As the the game progressed more and more of them kept appearing. Kev has his on order. Mind you it is not as embarrassing as a West Ham top.
Harri was finding more room on the left. He beat a couple of defenders and raced to the corner flag. He crossed the ball to Ben. Ben looked like he was going to score. The goalie made a great save. Shaun gathered the clearance and fired in a shot. It was blocked. It came to Fraser. He steadied himself and fired in a great shot just wide.
Sam was brought on to steady the nerves in midfield. He made some great stops.
With minutes to go, Tim made a great reflex save. The ball was pushed out for a corner.
The final whistle went and it was 2-0 to Cumnor.
Cumnor Minors 2 Faringdon 0
Men of the Match: Mark Briggs and Fraser Shields.
A great performance agaist a good side. Next week it is Didcot away.
Monday, 24 September 2007
Monday, 17 September 2007
DIDCOT CASUALS V CUMNOR MINORS 16TH SEPT 2007
Our first visit to Didcot this season. After Dave B took us on a tour of Didcot, we arrived at the venue just in time for kick off. Robbie and Biggy made there own way to Didcot. Did they know something about Dave's navigational skills?
The game started with Didcot taking the game to Cumnor. Cumnor were on the backfoot and Didcot looked more likely to score. Twice they broke through the defence, but Robbie made 2 important stops. Slowly Cumnor came into the game. Shaun was now starting to look like the normal Shaun--full of energy and running. Shaun, Ben and Fraser were linking up well and great through ball from Biggy gave Shaun an opportunity to score. Shaun steadied himself and fired it into the net. Freddie and Ryan were causing lots of problems for the Didcot defence. Near the end of the first half, Shaun slipped the ball into the net for number 2. Suddenly the defence were looking sharper. Mark had steadied himself and was making some great tackles. Henry and Alex are proving a formidable partnership. Both backing each other up with great vision. Harri was starting to controll the game in midfield. He was spraying balls up to Freddie, Biggy and Ryan. Before the end of the first half, Luke was brought on. Great news as we will be needing Luke's power over the next couple of weeks. The first half finished 2-0.
The second half could not have been anymore different from the first. The goals came flying in. Biggy started the onslaught with 2 well taking individual goals. Harri got 2. The second being a great shot. Freddie scored 2 with some neat finishing. Shaun scored his third with a great shot.Luke opened his account for the season with a shot into the bottom left corner. Probably the best goal was a looping shot from Ben.
Alex made a great tackle to stop a certain goal by Didcot. Henry was sweeping up behind him to clear any danger.
Fraser came very close on 2 occasions but just cleared the bar. Robbie and Sam came on to replace Alex and Henry. Didcot were pressing for a consolation goal. Tim made 2 great saves to keep them out. But with minutes to go, Didcot scored a well deserved goal. Tim had no chance.
The game finished 11-1.
Didcot Casuals 1 Cumnor Minors 11
Man of the Match: Shaun Morton. A great individual display.
The game started with Didcot taking the game to Cumnor. Cumnor were on the backfoot and Didcot looked more likely to score. Twice they broke through the defence, but Robbie made 2 important stops. Slowly Cumnor came into the game. Shaun was now starting to look like the normal Shaun--full of energy and running. Shaun, Ben and Fraser were linking up well and great through ball from Biggy gave Shaun an opportunity to score. Shaun steadied himself and fired it into the net. Freddie and Ryan were causing lots of problems for the Didcot defence. Near the end of the first half, Shaun slipped the ball into the net for number 2. Suddenly the defence were looking sharper. Mark had steadied himself and was making some great tackles. Henry and Alex are proving a formidable partnership. Both backing each other up with great vision. Harri was starting to controll the game in midfield. He was spraying balls up to Freddie, Biggy and Ryan. Before the end of the first half, Luke was brought on. Great news as we will be needing Luke's power over the next couple of weeks. The first half finished 2-0.
The second half could not have been anymore different from the first. The goals came flying in. Biggy started the onslaught with 2 well taking individual goals. Harri got 2. The second being a great shot. Freddie scored 2 with some neat finishing. Shaun scored his third with a great shot.Luke opened his account for the season with a shot into the bottom left corner. Probably the best goal was a looping shot from Ben.
Alex made a great tackle to stop a certain goal by Didcot. Henry was sweeping up behind him to clear any danger.
Fraser came very close on 2 occasions but just cleared the bar. Robbie and Sam came on to replace Alex and Henry. Didcot were pressing for a consolation goal. Tim made 2 great saves to keep them out. But with minutes to go, Didcot scored a well deserved goal. Tim had no chance.
The game finished 11-1.
Didcot Casuals 1 Cumnor Minors 11
Man of the Match: Shaun Morton. A great individual display.
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Oxford Blackbird Boys V Cumnor Minors
The second game of the season saw Cumnor visit Blackbird boys. Confidence was good after Sundays game. Alex was moved to centre half and Ryan started the game.
Cumnor had the better of the first part of the game. Ben raced forward and set up Ryan who was stopped in his tracks by a great tackle. A through ball from Shaun found Freddie. Freddie raced past the defender and dribbled the ball past the goalie and fired the ball into the net. It was 1-0.
Blackbird boys then came alive. Some good handling from Robbie kept them at bay. Mark stopped another attack with a great tackle. Henry had to be at his sharpest to make a dramatic tackle to stop another attack. Shaun freed Biggy who raced in on goal and fired a great shot just wide. Alex was having a great game with some great stops. With minutes to go, Blackbird Boys put the ball into the net but it was ruled off-side.
During the first half, Dave B attempted to control the ball and collapsed on his backside. We now believe that Dave's stories of football excellence in his youngest days must have been a figment of his imagination. Even Mark looked embarrassed.
The first half finished 1-0.
Blackbird Boys came out firing on all cylinders. Fraser made a great stop and fired the ball forward. The attack was stopped and Blackbirds moved forward. A great shot saw Tim make a great save. Harri was having a great game playing at the back. He had a difficult task of watching probably Blackbird Boys' best player. But he stuck to him like a trooper and still had time to attack. Henry was trying his best to push his backline forward. Robbie was making some great headers.
Shaun broke forward. He found Freddie. Freddie passed to Biggy. Fortunately for Cumnor, Biggy has been watching the Rugby world cup. Biggy hoisted the ball in to the area and as it came down from a great height, Fraser with a sublime touch glanced it into the net. What a goal. Another move on the other side gave Cumnor another goal. Ben who was having a fantastic game broke forward. Fraser collected the ball and shot towards goal. The goalie saved. Harri was first to the ball and fired it into the net. 3-0 to Cumnor.
Oxford replied with period of pressure. Ollie made a great last gasp tackle to stop a certain goal. Sam was making sure that no-one got past him in midfield.
Alex made another great tackle.
As the light was disappearing, an up and over from Ben failed to clear the bar and dropped into the net. 4-0 to Cumnor.
The final whistle went.
A good victory against a very good side. Hopefully Dave will be brushing up on his football skills.
Cumnor had the better of the first part of the game. Ben raced forward and set up Ryan who was stopped in his tracks by a great tackle. A through ball from Shaun found Freddie. Freddie raced past the defender and dribbled the ball past the goalie and fired the ball into the net. It was 1-0.
Blackbird boys then came alive. Some good handling from Robbie kept them at bay. Mark stopped another attack with a great tackle. Henry had to be at his sharpest to make a dramatic tackle to stop another attack. Shaun freed Biggy who raced in on goal and fired a great shot just wide. Alex was having a great game with some great stops. With minutes to go, Blackbird Boys put the ball into the net but it was ruled off-side.
During the first half, Dave B attempted to control the ball and collapsed on his backside. We now believe that Dave's stories of football excellence in his youngest days must have been a figment of his imagination. Even Mark looked embarrassed.
The first half finished 1-0.
Blackbird Boys came out firing on all cylinders. Fraser made a great stop and fired the ball forward. The attack was stopped and Blackbirds moved forward. A great shot saw Tim make a great save. Harri was having a great game playing at the back. He had a difficult task of watching probably Blackbird Boys' best player. But he stuck to him like a trooper and still had time to attack. Henry was trying his best to push his backline forward. Robbie was making some great headers.
Shaun broke forward. He found Freddie. Freddie passed to Biggy. Fortunately for Cumnor, Biggy has been watching the Rugby world cup. Biggy hoisted the ball in to the area and as it came down from a great height, Fraser with a sublime touch glanced it into the net. What a goal. Another move on the other side gave Cumnor another goal. Ben who was having a fantastic game broke forward. Fraser collected the ball and shot towards goal. The goalie saved. Harri was first to the ball and fired it into the net. 3-0 to Cumnor.
Oxford replied with period of pressure. Ollie made a great last gasp tackle to stop a certain goal. Sam was making sure that no-one got past him in midfield.
Alex made another great tackle.
As the light was disappearing, an up and over from Ben failed to clear the bar and dropped into the net. 4-0 to Cumnor.
The final whistle went.
A good victory against a very good side. Hopefully Dave will be brushing up on his football skills.
Sunday, 9 September 2007
Cumnor Minors v Kennington 11.30 9/9/2007
The first game of the season saw Kennington visiting The Closes. Cumnor had 2 new acquisitions. Robbie and Biggy were signed from Kidlington in a double swoop for an undisclosed sum. Otherwise it was the same squad as last year. During the summer, Luke suffered a serious toe injury. The details are hazy but while doing a triple somersault he landed on his toe. Rumours that he tripped at Snakes and Ladders while playing with his sister are unfounded.
Cumnor lined up with a strong but attacking side. Cumnor went on the offensive. They were causing all sort of problems in the Kennington defence. Mark stopped a Kennington attack with a great tackle. Ben gathered the ball in midfield. He through the ball forward. Biggy won the ball and it dropped to Shaun. Shaun found Freddie who first timed it into the back of the net. It was 1-0 to Cumnor.
Straight away another shot from Cumnor rebounded to Fraser. With great skill, Fraser fired the ball into the back of the net. Cumnor lead 2-0.
Suddenly Kennington came alive. They pushed forward. Alex at left back was not allowing anyone past. Some great stops. Henry , restored to defence, was his usual fantastic self. Sweeping up any dangerous balls allowing Tim to relax.
Kennington raced forward. They swept the ball to the left. As the kennington attacker was about to shoot, Robbie appeared from nowhere to block the shot. What a tackle.
Suddenly big questions were asked of Tim. Kennington were flying balls in from all angles. Tim made save after save. His handling was superb. Then the ball broke to the Kennington attacker 6 yards from the goal. He headered it to the net. It must be a goal. Tim was going the wrong way but twisted round and made the most amazing save with one hand. It was reminscent of Gordon Banks save against Pele in the 1970 World Cup.
Kennington could not believe it.
The half time whistle went. 2-0 to Cumnor.
Dave made some changes. Ollie and Ryan entered the game.
Cumnor looked dangerous. Ryan started a great move down the left hand side but the ball was pushed out for a corner. Shaun nearly slipped the ball into the net but it went past. Robbie made a great tackle to stop another attack. Henry, with his new hair style, was enjoying total control at the back. Ollie made some important tackles to keep the score at 2-0. Biggy, Ben, Fraser and Freddie linked well to make some good goal scoring opportunities.
With 5 minutes to go, Kennington were awarded a free kick about 20 yards out. The Kennington player fired in a great free kick. Tim did not see it until the last minute. It flew into the back of the net. It was 2-1.
The last 5 minutes seemed to last for ever as Kennington pushed forward. At last, the referee blew and the game was over. Well done Cumnor and Kennington --what a great game.
What a first game. 11-a-side football is hard work but all the boys played superbly.
We play Oxford Blackbirds on Wednesday.
Luke will return next Sunday if he avoids Snakes and Ladders during the week.
Cumnor lined up with a strong but attacking side. Cumnor went on the offensive. They were causing all sort of problems in the Kennington defence. Mark stopped a Kennington attack with a great tackle. Ben gathered the ball in midfield. He through the ball forward. Biggy won the ball and it dropped to Shaun. Shaun found Freddie who first timed it into the back of the net. It was 1-0 to Cumnor.
Straight away another shot from Cumnor rebounded to Fraser. With great skill, Fraser fired the ball into the back of the net. Cumnor lead 2-0.
Suddenly Kennington came alive. They pushed forward. Alex at left back was not allowing anyone past. Some great stops. Henry , restored to defence, was his usual fantastic self. Sweeping up any dangerous balls allowing Tim to relax.
Kennington raced forward. They swept the ball to the left. As the kennington attacker was about to shoot, Robbie appeared from nowhere to block the shot. What a tackle.
Suddenly big questions were asked of Tim. Kennington were flying balls in from all angles. Tim made save after save. His handling was superb. Then the ball broke to the Kennington attacker 6 yards from the goal. He headered it to the net. It must be a goal. Tim was going the wrong way but twisted round and made the most amazing save with one hand. It was reminscent of Gordon Banks save against Pele in the 1970 World Cup.
Kennington could not believe it.
The half time whistle went. 2-0 to Cumnor.
Dave made some changes. Ollie and Ryan entered the game.
Cumnor looked dangerous. Ryan started a great move down the left hand side but the ball was pushed out for a corner. Shaun nearly slipped the ball into the net but it went past. Robbie made a great tackle to stop another attack. Henry, with his new hair style, was enjoying total control at the back. Ollie made some important tackles to keep the score at 2-0. Biggy, Ben, Fraser and Freddie linked well to make some good goal scoring opportunities.
With 5 minutes to go, Kennington were awarded a free kick about 20 yards out. The Kennington player fired in a great free kick. Tim did not see it until the last minute. It flew into the back of the net. It was 2-1.
The last 5 minutes seemed to last for ever as Kennington pushed forward. At last, the referee blew and the game was over. Well done Cumnor and Kennington --what a great game.
What a first game. 11-a-side football is hard work but all the boys played superbly.
We play Oxford Blackbirds on Wednesday.
Luke will return next Sunday if he avoids Snakes and Ladders during the week.
Wednesday, 5 September 2007
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