A long trip to Bletchley was our belated start to the year. Having played in Milton Keynes last year there were no excuses for anyone getting lost. West Bletchley look a good side going by their results.
West Bletchley were very hospitable by offering free tea, coffee and biscuits. It is the first time that Kev has offered to buy refreshments for everybody.
Cumnor started slowly and Wrighty on two occasions made sliding tackles to prevent an early goal. Against the run of play, Cumnor took the lead. Bradley blocked a clearance and raced past the Bletchley defender. He the lobbed the ball over the approaching goalie. It hit the back of the net and it was 1-0.
Cumnor did not hold onto there lead very long. A Bletchley attacker controlled the ball, slipped round Robbie and made it 1-1.
At this stage the game levelled out. Both sides attacked and it was an end to end game. Two very different styles. Bletchley play with flowing football. Cumnor have the more direct approach. Cumnor were starting to take the upper hand. Freddie raced forward after a ball by Shaun. He moved past the Bletchley defender but was brought down just outside the box. Harri took the free kick but the ball was cleared.
Luke was controlling midfield. I have never seen him have to work harder. He won the ball in midfield and found Fraser. He moved forward and crossed the ball but it was saved by the goalie.
At the other end, Mark had to be sharp to clear a Bletchley attack. Straight after, Bletchley broke through the Cumnor defence but Robbie made a great save at the foot of the attacker.
Kieren made another great stop and started another attack. The ball came to Shaun. He beat one player and passed to Fraser. Unfortunately he was tackled and the ball was cleared. Another attack saw Bradley fire an unstoppable shot into the back of the net. I only wish someone had explained to the West Bletchley goalie what unstoppable means. He must have seen the ball at the last minute as it came through a melee of players. He launched himself across the goal and pushed the ball onto the post and it was cleared. What a save!
Bletchley attacked and Jordi raced across to intercept the ball. He took his time and passed to Luke. He found Bradley but he was tackled at the edge of the box. Robbie again had to make another great save at the feet of the attacker. 2 minutes before the end of the half Bletchley scored a great goal. It was 2-1.
At the other end, a cross from Harri found Fraser. He turned and it a great shot just past the post.
The referee blew for half time.
Cumnor attacked and Biggy came very close to equalising.His shot just went wide.Surely the equaliser would come. Bletchley did not sit back. An attack saw them increase the lead. A great solo effort gave Tim no chance. It was 3-1.
Cumnor pushed forward. Biggy broke through but fired his shot wide. Adam was giving us more width on the left. He found Luke. He passed to Fraser. He raced up the right and crossed but Bradley's shot was blocked.
At the other end a header just went wide. Then Tim made a good catch from a cross. He cleared the ball. It was headed on by Biggy. Bradley received the ball and hit a shot towards the net. Unfortunately it hit the bar and was cleared.
Bletchley attacked and a determined Alex managed to make a great tackle to force a corner.
As time was running out Cumnor scored. A great block from Robbie came to Fraser . He flew the ball forward and Biggy headered the ball over the goalie into the net. It was 3-2.
The Fraser raced onto the ball as the goalie approached. He got there first but the ball slipped past the goal.
Bletchley had another great attack and the strikers shot just slipped past the post.
As Cumnor left holes at the back, West Bletchley scored a great goal with minutes left.
The game was over. Cumnor were out.
WEST BLETCHLEY 4 CUMNOR MINORS 2
A great game. A real cup tie with two great attacking teams. Both teams could have won the game. West Bletchley are a great side. They took their chances and, therefore, deserved to go through. It is just a pity that they are not closer to Oxfordshire. They would be great addition to the Oxford Mail League. I am sure they would like to play in games like that every week.
All the best to West Bletchley for the rest of the season. Thanks for the hospitality.
With the news that Newbury have beaten Windsor Royals, indicates that we have a lot of work still to do in the league.
