CUMNOR MAKE THE NEXT ROUND OF THE CUP

After last week's thriller with Newbury, it was the B&B cup today. Pinewood were our opponents. Very little was known about Pinewood, but Cumnor knew that they would had to be at their best to move into the next round of the cup.

It was good to see Jordi who has been ill. Hopefully he will be back next week. He is getting better as the boys have remarked how good he has become at Call of Duty online.

The first shot on target came from Pinewood. Robbie saved well. Cumnor were playing three at the back with five in midfield. The boys adjusted well to the new formation and were creating chances. At the other end, Pinewood were stretching our back three. Robbie had to make another good save. He passed the ball to Kieren. He had a interchange of passes with Wrighty. The ball was given to Fraser who released Freddie. He raced up the right and crossed into the box. Bradley was racing in to slip the ball into the net. It was 1-0.

Fraser had a shot but it was well saved by the goalie.

Joe was starting to stamp his authority on the game. He won the ball in midfield. He slipped the ball to Declan. He passed the ball to Shaun who passed the ball back to him on the left hand side. Declan raced up the left but he was tackled for a throw in.

On the right, Cumnor won another corner. The ball was flown in and Luke met the ball and it was fired into the net. A great goal from Luke who looks great at centre half.

Adam was starting to show the nifty footwork which we know he is capable off. He started the next move but the ball was cleared for a corner.

The first half finished 2-0.

It was soon 3-0 after Freddie slipped the ball into the net after great work from Harri. There was confusion as to whether it was a goal for Freddie as it did hit the post a couple of times before it went in. Bradley might raise a complaint when the goals are counted at the end of the season.

Shaun and Declan released Freddie who was brought down. It was a penalty. Wrighty stepped up to take the penalty. He fired the ball high into the net. It was 4-0.

Joe made a great run to set up Fraser, who slipped the ball into the net.

It was 5-0.

CUMNOR MINORS 5 PINEWOOD 0

Next week we play Oxford Blackbirds who gave us a hard game at the start of the season. Hopefully Alex and Jordi will be back to strengthen the right back position.

CUMNOR HELD AT HOME IN THRILLER

The visit of Newbury was greatly anticipated by Cumnor. Newbury have been a bit slow off the mark this season but the last couple of games have seen them return to the form of last season.

The rain managed to stay off for the start of the game.

Cumnor started well. Plenty of passing was opening up the Newbury defence. Joe and Fraser were linking up well. Joe and Luke W had a interchange of passes which saw Fraser released up the right hand side. He raced to the byline and crossed. Unfortunately Shaun or Bradley could not connect. Declan fired a ball up the left hand side which released Freddie. He raced in on goal but the goalie saved well. Luke T was controlling midfield. He beat his opponent and passed to Luke W. He moved the ball over to Shaun. He tried to split the defence but the ball was cut out.

A long ball from the Newbury goalie put Cumnor under pressure. The ball went all the way through to Kieren. He passed to Robbie. He kicked but the ball landed at the Newbury attacker. His shot was net bound but Robbie made a great reflex save.

Wrighty made another great tackle and the ball was put out for a corner.

the corner was taken and the ball was flicked into the Cumnor net. It was 1-0 to Newbury.

Cumnor were now under a bit of pressure. Newbury were in the ascendancy. Joe and Declan were protecting the wings.

Fraser nearly scored with a shot/cross but the first half ended 1-0.

Cumnor came out fighting in the second half. Within 5 minutes, Cumnor were level. Agreat ball found Joe. He swivelled and fired the ball into the net. What a goal.

Cumnor were now on top. Luke W had a couple of shots which were just over the bar.

A long ball from Kieren was flicked on by Luke. Freddie got behind the Newbury defence. He raced in on goal. The goalie raced out to cut out the ball. Freddie headered the ball over the goalie. The goalie slammed into Freddie. The referee pointed to the penalty spot. The linesman, who was at the opposite end of the park, called the referee over to say that the incident was outside the box. The referee changed his mind and gave a free kick. It was a difficult decision and on a muddy day it was pretty impossible to say no or yes to a penalty. Probably more controversial was that the goalie was only booked. It did look like that he was the last man. It was a difficult decision for the referee again. Without doubt the goalie went for the ball and it was not a "professional" foul.

After all this Wrighty stepped up to take the free kick and it just slipped past the post Agreat free kick.

Alex had a great pass which split the defence. Adam was brought down. Luke W took the free kick but the ball went over.

Newbury had a great shot at the other end but Robbie made a great save.

The game ended 1-1.

CUMNOR MINORS 1 NEWBURY 1

[JOE HOSKINS]

A great game. End to end football. Either team could have snatched the game and a draw was probably a fair result. The boys played some great football and showed great composure on the ball. Newbury are a great side and are now obviously getting to there best form.

IMPRESSIVE CUMNOR TAKE THREE POINTS

Cumnor were visiting Quarry today. They have started their return to the A league well. At last Cumnor had nearly a full squad to choose from. Tim will be out till the New Year and Luke W will be finishing his trial at Oxford next week.

The team formation was changed to allow Luke to watch the dangerous Quarry forward.

Cumnor started the game as they finished last week. Some of the play was a joy to watch. One touch football using the full width of the pitch.

Cumnor took the game to Quarry and they had a few early opportunities. Wrighty and Declan were linking up well on the left hand side. Robbie started a couple of moves with some quick throws.

Cumnor were soon one up with a great move. Luke, yet again, cleared the ball. It was passed between Joe and Shaun. Freddie controlled the ball and slipped the ball to Bradley. Bradley raced into the box and fired a great shot. It was saved well by the goalie but Declan was there to slip the ball into the net. It was 1-0 to Cumnor.

Fraser made a break on the right. He raced in on goal and crossed the ball. it was met by Bradley but the goalie saved. Kieren made a good interception and passed the ball to Robbie. He swept the ball to Wrighty. He carried the ball forward and released Declan. He shrugged of a couple of challenges and as he approached the goalie hit a great shot towards the net. The goalie saved but Bradley was sharp to turn the ball into the back of the net. It was 2-0.

Jordi made another great tackle and started another move. He passed to Joe who found Fraser. He released Freddie. he crossed the ball and Declan was there to slot the ball into the back of the net. It was 3-0.

Cumnor had lots of chances but could not score anymore before half time. Shaun had a great shot which just went past the post. Joe came close with a great run but just lost control at the last minute.

The first half finished 3-0.

Quarry were a different side in the second half. They had a couple of good shots but Robbie's handling was superb. Cumnor still tried to play football. Harri made a great run up the left but his shot was saved by the goalie. Bradley broke free and fired a great shot past the post. Freddie had a shot saved. Joe had a header well saved by the Quarry goalie. Quarry then got a well worked goal. A great individual run by the Quarry attacker left our defence stranded and he fired in a great shot past Robbie. A great goal.

Cumnor needed another goal to settle down the side. Alex and Adam were brought on to defend the lead. Alex was quickly involved with a great tackle to stop an attack.

With 5 minutes to go, Adam won the ball in midfield. Fraser then slipped the ball through to Freddie. He rounded the goalie and made it 4-1.

The game finished 4-1.

QUARRY 1 CUMNOR MINORS 4

Cumnor are getting better every week. They are playing great football. Great passing and great movement makes every game a joy to watch. We have Newbury next week which will be a very tough game. As we have overcome our early season injuries, we now have a very strong squad.