CUMNOR SUFFER SHOCK BUT RECOVER WELL

Yet again the Closes became the victim of the cold weather. Abingdon's venue was playable and the game was reversed.

As it was hastily arranged, the pitch was on the small side, which did not encourage flowing football. Both sides struggled to gain a foothold on the game.

Cumnor started to control the game. Some unlucky finishing and good defending kept the score at 0-0.

Joe was causing problems on the left hand side and a cross from him gave Cumnor there first clear cut chance. Shaun met the ball but the ball went over the bar. Suddenly Cumnor started finding openings in the Abingdon defence. The pressure was increasing. A long ball from Kieren found Freddie. He was forced out wide by the goalie. The ball was cut back by Fraser and Bradley pushed the ball wide. A free kick from Wrighty evaded the defence but Luke was unable to slip the ball into the net.

Jordi cut out an Abingdon attack. He slipped the ball to Fraser. The ball was pushed out for another corner. Fraser took the corner. The ball was pushed out by the goalie. Shaun fired the ball at the goal but it was well saved. The rebound came to Kieren. With great control, he slipped the ball into the net. A great but rare goal from Kieren. The referee blew for half time.

Now the goal had arrived, Cumnor expected now to finish the game off. It did not go according to plan.

Abingdon attacked. Their player controlled the ball 30 yards out. He unleashed a great shot into the back of the net. It was 1-1. Tim had no chance.

Another Abingdon attack forced a corner. It was fired into the box. The Abingdon attacker was first on the ball and he slammed the ball against the bar. It came out but the Abingdon player was first to the ball and made it 2-1 with a nice shot.

Cumnor were in trouble. They kept playing the same way. A few more goalmouth scrambles were cleared and it seemed like it was not going to be Cumnor's day.

It is times like this that help can come from the most unlikely source. Another Cumnor attack saw Luke pass the ball to Shaun. He slipped the ball to Alex. He took one touch, moved to the edge of the box, and hit a fantastic shot into the corner of the net. I could be wrong but I think that was Alex's first goal for Cumnor. Well done Alex.

Cumnor brought off Jordi and brought on Robbie. They then played 3 at the back and 3 up front. It immediately paid dividends. Declan came on to firm up the defence. He had struggled with a cold and was unable to start the game.

Joe was causing lots of problems on the left. He created an opportunity for Freddie. He controlled the ball and fired a shot into the corner of the net. It was 3-2. Cumnor were on top now. Robbie was causing havoc in the Abingdon defence. He had a couple of near misses but made it 4-1 with a great goal. A ball from Fraser found Robbie. He took his time and rifled the ball into the net. It was 4-2 and the game was over.

ABINGDON COLTS 2 CUMNOR MINORS 4

Well played to both sides. There are no easy games in this league. Next week we play Eldon Celtic in the quarter finals of the B&B Cup. They knocked about Abingdon in the last round. So it should be an exciting game.

CUMNOR REACH QUARTER FINALS OF B&B CUP

Cumnor reached there second quarter final in a week with an impressive display against Cholsey.

Some crisp passing and hard tackling eased Cumnor into the next round. The treble is still in our sights. Two years ago we lost in the final of the B&B due to playing a weakened side due to losing 2 of our best players just weeks before. This time we are prepared to go all the way.

Cumnor took the game to Cholsey and it was no surprise that we took the lead. A cross from Fraser found Shaun. He controlled the ball and slipped it into the net. It was 1-0.

Luke had an opportunity from 6 yards but skied the ball over the bar. The next goal was scored by Declan. Some good work from Adam and Kieren released Declan. He moved into the box and fired an unstoppable shot into the corner.

Then a clearance from Wrighty allowed Freddie to get in behind the defence and lob the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper. It was 3-0. Jordi set up the next move. He did a lovely 1-2 with Fraser. He collected the ball but was tackled just outside the box and the ball was released.

Robbie was rarely called to make any saves in the first half.

In the second half, Cumnor played some fantastic football. They passed the ball from one end of the pitch to the other. Especially on the left hand side, Declan and Adam were forming a deadly partnership. They moved the ball up the park and passed to Luke. He then passed to Declan who raced to the byline. He cut the ball back and Bradley slipped the ball into the net.

Shaun after hitting the bar scored the fifth with a deadly strike from 20 yards.

Fraser came close with a shot from a tight angle.

A rare Cholsey attack was stopped by a great tackle from Robbie.

Adam the sent in another great cross which was met by Bradley. He glanced the ball into the back of the net. It was 6-0.

With minutes to go Cholsey got a goal. They broke through the middle of the defence. The attacker shot and Tim made a great save. The rebound was collected by the Cholsey attacker and slipped into the net. It was 6-1.

CUMNOR MINORS 6 CHOLSEY 1

A clinical performance against a strong side. We now have an exciting end to the season. The B&B Cup, The Oxford Mail Cup and the League are all in our own hands.

CUMNOR MOVE INTO NEXT ROUND OF CUP.

A return to competitive action saw Faringdon as our opponents. It is a couple of years since we have played them. It was eagerly anticipated by Joe who used to play for them and goes to school with the whole team.

Cumnor nearly scored in the first minute when a through ball from Luke found Fraser. He raced away from the defence and shot from the edge of the box but the ball slipped by the post.

Cumnor were soon ahead. A shot from Bradley was not held by the goalkeeper and Joe was quicker than the goalie and he slipped the ball into the net. It was 1-0.

Cumnor were soon 2 up when a another shot from Joe found the back of the net.

Faringdon were defending well but were not causing to many problems for the Cumnor defence. Kieren and Wrighty were holding the back well. They both had to make a couple of clearances.

Jordi was using the space on the right to support Fraser. He was finding lots of room on the right and created a few chances.

On the left, Robbie was pushing forward and he nearly made it 3 with a glorious glancing header from a Kieren corner. It just slipped past.

Shaun and Declan passed the ball between each other. Declan moved into the box and his first shot was blocked. He did not give up and regained control of the ball and shot into the corner of the net. It was 3-0.

Bradley made it 4 with a long range effort.

It was 4-0 at half time.

In the second half, Faringdon played 3 up front and did put Cumnor under pressure but very quickly Cumnor took control.

Declan and Adam linked up to split the Faringdon defence on many occasions. Joe was released and came very close to getting his hat-trick on a few occasions. One move saw Joe hit a great shot into the top corner but the goalie made a great save. Fraser and Shaun were very close to scoring on 2-3 occasions.

A long ball from Kieren found Luke. He passed to Bradley who unleashed a fantastic shot into the top corner. What a goal.

Tim made a great save from a great shot from a Faringdon player.

After non stop pressure, and with minutes to go, Joe came off after a fantastic performance against his old side.

The game finished 5-0.

Well done Cumnor.

A good performance after a long break. Next week we have Cholsey in the B&B Cup.

CUMNOR MINORS UNDER 14 0 ST EDMUNDS UNDER 15 2