29th January  2017                                      Cumnor 3-1 Hinksey

After the superb performance away at Kidlington last week the boys were looking forward to getting back on home soil against an improving Hinksey team. There were notable absences in the squad with Scott out because of his knee, Jamie out because of his knuckles, and Joel out because he was scanning club cards, but no matter the boys would dig in.

The game started with Cumnor kicking towards the Hedge End and playing the Gaffer’s usual 4-4-1-1 formation. Hinksey came out the blocks well and started to play a nice passing game, this particularly offended Nathan who decided to rugby tackle their CM for an early booking. (Ron)Dom was doing his best up top, running the channels and being a nuisance but he was looking as isolated as Donald Trump’s America (that’s for you Richard) and a Hinksey goal was inevitable. At around the 15 minute mark Hinksey’s early pressure told and a looping ball over the top was met with a superb volley Adam could do nothing about. 0-1. The boys finally woke up and the lethal Tilling-Taylor partnership began to fire with Harry hitting the upright and (Ron)Dom putting a header just wide. The breakthrough came moments later with a pass from Harry Th setting J Nose through and he did the rest, slotting calmly under the keeper from a narrow angle. 1-1. Cumnor were now firmly on top with George, Harry C, Harry Th and Osman controlling the midfield, and Cam, Cookie and Big Mem ensuring the threat posed by Hinksey’s dangerous strikeforce was nullified. Thanks to some fine handling by Adam at half time the score remained 1-1, and the boys gathered round for a tactical masterclass from the Gaffer. Motivated, the boys went back out for the second half with the feeling the game was there for the taking. However, the second half started much the same as the first and without our very own Alan Hansen in Cameron, we would’ve almost certainly gone behind if not for some superb defending. As the half progressed the game developed a great ebb and flow with expansive football played by both sides. George and Harry C were battling well in the middle, Cookie was solid as ever and Big Mem was playing as if he’d been promised a lifetime supply of Esan’s famous kebabs. Harry Tilling whipped in a series of dangerous corners, with (Ron)Dom very unlucky not to convert at least one. With around 20 minutes to go Cumnor were well on top, with Hinksey pinned back by the high intensity pressing of players like Osman (another great shift) there was only one way the game was going. Just when it looked like it was going to be a frustrating day for the Minors, a great run by J Nose took him through on goal before he was flattened by Buffon. Penalty. With 167 caps for Italy you don’t expect that kind of poor decision making. With such a high pressure penalty against a Serie A and World Cup winner Harry had to clear his mind of any thoughts- thankfully, this was a natural state of mind for him. He stepped up and… BOOM… sent the keeper the wrong way with a superb penalty. A well deserved 2-1. With 5 minutes left Cumnor would have to dig in, and with Nathan holding the ball up well on the left wing and Adam coolness personified in goal we fancied our chances. This was with good reason too as with seconds left on the clock our talisman in Harry Tilling put the game to bed with a fantastic individual effort. He picked the ball up just inside the Hinksey half and drove at their back 4, leaving one centre back sprawling in his wake, before arrowing his strike into the bottom corner. Queue scenes of jubilation as Harry himself was so excited he missed his intended target of the corner flag completely. Shortly afterward the ref blew the final whistle and confirmed another 3 points for the Mighty Minors. FT 3-1.

Another excellent team performance by the boys and we march on to Hook Norton in 4 weeks time. A special mention to the gaffer and the ever present Blue Army who provide superb support home and away every week. At the end of his teamtalk the Gaffer alluded to the end of season get together so everyone start thinking of ideas. Personally I think a European booze cruise with Mark captaining ending in Amsterdam. Who’s with me?

Men of the match-

Cam- A rock as always, a vital mainstay of the team

Harry Tilling- Fantastic goals, terrible celebrations, and balls of steel to convert that penalty  

Written by Eliot Thomas

 

n.b Much praise for a fantastic team performance yet again, cannot tell how proud I am of you all.Mark

 

                                 Pompey's Conor Chaplin celebrates Cumnors great win