LATE EQUALISER STUNS RADLEY

Cumnor against Radley is normally a top of the table clash. This year both sides are fighting for third place. Both managers had an eye on the semi-final of the League cup in a couple of weeks. Cumnor won the fixture at The Closes earlier in the season and Radley were looking for revenge. The time of the game was moved to an early afternoon slot to fit in with a few boys returning from holiday.
Cumnor started the better with some great opportunities for an early lead. Freddie came close after a great through ball from Shaun but a last gasp tackle prevented the goalie making a save. Bigggy was very energetic and was covering a lot of ground. Luke had a great run after a pass from Fraser. He rounded a couple of players and his shot was forced wide from the corner. Harri took a great corner and it landed in the middle of the box. Shaun and Ben both had shots but were blocked by the Radley defenders. Dave had decided to mix up the defence with Fraser playing as the sweeper. Henry, playing on the left, stopped any attack down that side. On the right, Alex was linking well with Shaun and were causing all sorts of problems. Robbie had to be at his best to cut out some long balls.
One ball from Radley was floated over the defence. It was controlled by the Radley attacker and he fired the ball into the net. Tim made a great attempt to save the shot but it slipped into the net. It was 1-0 to Radley. Cumnor did not give up and Harri came close with a long range shot. Biggy also tried a long range effort. The first half finished 1-0.
In the second half, Radley came more into the game and looked more likely to score. Mark had his work cut out with Mitch but seemed to have the upper hand. Robbie had to make some important catches as the Radley attackers were ready to pounce. Biggy had a good run after some fine work from Shaun and Luke. Just when it looked that it might not be our day, Mark cleared the ball to Freddie. Freddie passed to Fraser. Fraser controlled the ball and slipped the ball over the defence into Biggy's path. He raced onto the ball and slipped the ball past the goalie into the net. A well deserved equaliser. Ryan managed to control the ball and set Luke up with a lovely pass. Luke tried a shot but went wide. With seconds to go, Radley nearly scored. The ball was going into the net but Robbie made a great one handed safe. It then rolled along the goal line but was cleared out of danger.
With the game being very tight, it was difficult for Dave to make any more changes but he managed to bring on Ollie with minutes to go.
The game finished 1-1.

RADLEY 1 CUMNOR MINORS 1

MAN OF THE MATCH:FRASER SHIELDS

A great game which sets everybody up for the semi-final.
Unfortunately bad news came filtering through after the game: Kev B has suffered a injury which may force his retirement from football. On the other hand, this is great news for the houses surrounding The Closes and the various other venues that the boys play on a Sunday. No longer will disgruntled neighbours come racing to the football field complaining about Kev's pin point cross, which should have landed on Harri's head, instead landing on their freshly manicured flowers.

HARRI BEATS HIS MAN.............................!!!!!!!!!!!

Harri shows hs customary balance and poise on the ball before approachng his adversary.............................

CUMNOR WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF RADLEY

Summertown Stars have been the surprise team of the league and were our opponents on Sunday morning. An early kick off meant the boys had an early night and hopefully so did the parents. Unfortunately Kev looked like he had seen better days. Now I remember why we play our games at 12:00!
The game started and Cumnor went on the offensive. Summertown had a couple of very quick wingers who were attacking on the flanks. Both Alex and Mark were marking their players well and not giving them any space. Henry showed amazing speed by stopping any runs through the middle. A goal for Cumnor had to come. Fraser won the ball in midfield. He threw the ball into the box. Ryan tried a shot and it was blocked. Ben also tried a shot. The rebound came out to Harri. From the edge of the box he rifled the ball into the corner. What a goal!
Cumnor had to suffer a few scares at the other end. Summertown broke through the Cumnor defence. As the striker was about to shoot, Robbie made a great tackle and cleared the ball.
Shaun received the ball from Alex. He took it round a player and found Biggy. Biggy steadied himself and fired the ball into the net.
It was 2-0 to Cumnor. At the other end Tim had to make an important stop to keep it at 2-0. Ryan came close with a great run.
The first half finished 2-0.
The second half started with Cumnor on top but Summertown looked very dangerous on the break. Then Cumnor scored a fantastic goal. Shaun won the ball in midfield. Fraser picked the ball up and moved forward. He passed to Biggy. Biggy with his first touch passed to Freddie. Freddie took the ball in his stride and rounded the goalie before slipping the ball into the net. What a goal!
This stirred Summertown into action. They attacked with great skill. Ben and Fraser were putting in some crunching tackles. Shaun was breaking up the right trying to relieve the pressure. Summertown scored with a great shot. Robbie had no chance.
Summertown were growing in confidence. Henry made some great tackles. Mark was marking his player out of the game.
Then Harri won the ball. Freddie found Biggy. Biggy rifled the ball into the net. It was 4-1 to Cumnor.
Dave decided to close up the defence. Ollie and Sam were brought on to add some energy to Cumnor for the remaining 10 minutes.
The final whistle was blown and it ended 4-1.


Summertown Stars 1 Cumnor Minors 4

MAN OF THE MATCH:HARRI BETTERIDGE

A great game of football. With the news filtering through that Radley had lost to Ardington, we are now within 3 points of Radley. It is going to be an exciting finish to the season.

CUMNOR BEAT EAST HENDRED

East Hendred were our visitors to The Closes on another windy but pleasant morning. Cumnor got off to the best possible start with an early goal. A shot from Biggy hit the bar and landed in the box. Harri raced in on the goalkeeper. The goalie reached the ball first but blasted the ball off Harri and it flew into the net. Not pretty[I don't mean Harri] but all goals count. East Hendredhad a couple of fast forwards but Cumnor were on top. Mark and Alex were able to push forward and were causing all sort of problems. Cumnor had the wind behind them and realised the importance of taking a lead into the second half. Ollie and Henry were giving no opportunities for the East Hendred attack. Robbie had very little to do in the Cumnor goal. Yet again, Cumnor lacked luck in front of goal. Fraser made a great tackle in midfield and released Luke. Luke raced forward leaving the defenders in his wake. He shot and it hit the post. He shot again and it hit the post. Biggy with some clever running released Freddie but his shot was forced for a corner. Shaun was making the right hand side his own with some controlled passes. He was linking well with Fraser.
Ryan looking very nippy was causing all sort of problems for the East Hendred defenders.
As half time approached, Fraser made it 2-0 with a fine solo effort. Yet again a deflection of the goalie went Cumnor's way and Fraser raced into make it 2-0.
The half time whistle blew.
Cumnor were expecting an onslaught in the second half but it never came. Cumnor kept their shape and passed the ball. Freddie broke through at was brought down in the box. Biggy took the penalty but it just cleared the bar. Ben came on and added some energy to the midfield. The East Hendred goalie was in excellent form. He stopped certain goals from Biggy, Luke, Freddie, Fraser and Shaun. At the other end, Tim had to make an athletic save to keep it at 2-0. Henry also cleared the ball of the line with a great clearance. Cumnor needed another goal and our wishes were granted. Fraser scored a fine effort to make it 3-0. Sam made some very good tackles.
The game ended 3-0 to Cumnor.

CUMNOR MINORS 3 EAST HENDRED 0

MAN OF THE MATCH: ALEX GRANTHAM

Summertown are our next opponents. If Summertown win they will be equal on points with Cumnor. We need a good performance and a win!