CUMNOR MINORS U12

29.01 Friendly Home v Radley (Win 2-1)

2012-01-30T16:59:00.001Z

Today was about a bunch of boys training and playing with no pressure. It was clear we missed the four boys who were out and this made our game rather ragged at times.

The 1st half we played in a fairly normal format with the second half with a lot of players in all sorts of positions.

We started well enough with Harry getting a goal from short range in their box. But over time we tired and this was particularly evident in the midfield with our defense being pressurised on and off and having situation with up to 2 defenders against 4 attackers at the back. Eventually Radley made the pressure tell to make it 1-1 at about 25 minutes. Adam made some great saves during the 1st half to deny further indiscressions.

Renewed in the 2nd half it was a scrappy game Mehmet charged out of the goal on several occasions to spare our blushes after taking over from Adam in goal

Cam had some great runs from midfield taking on several players but after running that far with the ball was exhausted for the shot or final ball that followed!

Shooting boots came close when we moved him to midfield and could easily have been man of the match with his tackling at the back and visionary balls. A stunning performance.

At the end though early in the 2nd half we saw the most amazing goal that goes to show if its on target you always have a chance Adam played centre forward early on and battled hard digging the ball out from defenders and looking for passes and eventually swivelled at high speed in the box and with a deft touch shot passed the Radley keeper for 2-1. We heard a lot of cheering and laughing as the ball kind of bobbled past the diving keeper.

Adam played goalkeeper, right back, centre midfield and centre forward in the game and for this winning goal he had to be rewarded for the fun aspect with man of the match! this week sponsored by..................................................Micheal Duberry after his hat trick for Oxford against Hereford last week 2 in his own net and 1 in theirs!

29.01 Friendly Home v Radley KO 11.30

2012-01-27T11:07:00.002Z

Only lets and markings will need to put out - Thanks

22.01 Barton v Cumnor Minors (Draw 3-3)

2012-01-26T11:05:00.000Z

An excellent team performance every week we seem to be making a step forward

With a full compliment of players we arrived at Barton on a cold blustery day and sat in the 1st Changing room we can remember being in. The pitch was small which led some good end to end football with the wind blowing largely from side to side.

It was effectively a game of two halves Barton had the better play in the 1st half although we were not far off the pace. They scored after a shoulder barge gave them a penalty at 20 mins. However, at 22 mins Harry had a free kick just outside the box on the left hand side, he put a lovely flighted ball into the six yard area for Shooting Boots to put his toe on a great goal. Adam kept us in the match with some terrific reaction saves and he came out well to close the attackers down. After the goal we seemed to largely control their attackers but at 30 mins they scored! HT 2-1

In the second half we had much the better of the play and always looked dangerous. At 42 mins a header from Cam made it 2-2. We also had a couple of additional gilt edged chances that got away and multiple chances.

Then we had two very controversial decisions which ultimately challenged us and took the game away. A tackle from behind in their box on Harry and the goal we scored that Cam tapped in when the ball was over the line that was deemed offside on Cam. As we saw both teams had lined up at the centre spot but the Barton linesman continued to protest and the referee changed his mind. One of a few strange decisions in our view.

So at 2-2 after many chances, looking the better side and holding the Barton attack at bay they scored on 50mins 3-2. You could have picked our jaws off the floor. But the boys jaws were square on their faces and they continued to rally with Flynn scoring from a looping shot at 55 mins.

Some rather odd comments were made during the match such as when one of our players was caught with a high kick, something like "Hes only two foot tall how can that be high" etc......

What was really pleasing was the amount of chances, the work rate, we were the harder side and we did on the whole close down very well. Some great passing football was played. The boys should be proud.

Full time 3 -3 a great game.

Man of the match BUT it could have been the whole team was Mehmet for a terrific performance sponsored by ................................Dick Tracey

Quote of the day whilst travelling back in the car Bomber was talking to Old Man and said "he did not like the ball they played with it seemed a bit strange" for old man to reply "yes it was strange it had air in it".

16.01 Rotherfield Cobras v Cumnor Minors (Win 1-3)

2012-01-16T16:12:00.004Z

It was a game of two halves

One of opportunities missed with the occasional goal
One of mediocrity but the work was completed in the 1st half and the game was not lost

The boys looked focused on a cold day with one goalmouth slightly frosted but playable.

Cumnor went out on the pitch in a positive frame of mind and this bode well for the game ahead from previous experience.

However....7 mins......after some nervous play early on the Cobras made a strike through the right hand side of our defence and after around four or five half challenges from our players had a good shot that passed wide of a diving Adam into the bottom corner. Not one player made a complete challenge or put their body on the line. This was met with exasperated comments from a the coaches to try and motivate them for the next time. A sloppy goal to concede 1-0.

It became apparent that their defence was trying to play a high offside line up the pitch with mixed success.

Harry got close with an open goal that a blind man, who had failing hearing and no legs could have scored. Harry might say much like some of the coaches he plays for. BUT he made amends shortly afterwards with a far more difficult opportunity where he curled the ball around the goal keeper to make it 1-1. 13 mins.

Then after several more attempts it was the blind and deaf Mehmet with two pillows for legs was in nearly as good a position as Harry. When the ball came across the pillows folded leaving him on the ground with the ball over the bar. Mehmet might say just like some of the coaches he plays for. BUT he made amends shortly afterwards with a far more difficult opportunity where he curled the ball around the goal keeper to make it 1-2. 18 mins

At 20 minutes Cameron switched with Dom to midfield from defence and immediately went around the whole Cobras defence from the half way line and scored a cracking goal. An inspired position change from an otherwise inept management performance. 1-3.

Overall I heard one parent Mr Sayers say at half time say we had 76 gold plated chances on goal in the 1st half BUT we only saw 14.

Then at the begining of the second half the goal of the match to surpass Cams goal, Rover flew through the Cumnor defense from the half way line leaving us startled and walked the ball past Adam. Then we asked the dog owner to get his dog off the pitch!

Second half was not full of any chances, they stopped playing the offside as much and their were few chances at either end, we battled in the midfield with them BUT the main thing was we did not concede again.

Full Time 1-3 - FANTASTIC a GREAT TEAM and coaching performance

A good battling performance and it should come as no surprise that a defender Old Man George Doye appeared to have youth on his side and became stronger as the game progressed. He stuck his foot in and got his body in the way. He even took a few players on and was the Man of the Match. Sponsored by Saga holidays and health insurance.

George relaxing on his rocking chair on Sunday afternoon reading his paper waiting for a train!

14.12 Cumnor Minors v Oxford Blackbirds ( Loss 4-5)

2012-01-09T16:38:00.001Z

Another extremely close game with again a one goal deficit.

A great controlled 1st half we dominated the game and limited the Blackbird attacks

12 Mins - Harry hit post
15 Mins - Cookie lovely goal from the right side accross the keeper 1-0
18 Mins - Flynn another goal 2-0

We were cruising and you could see the worry and concern in the oppositions, team, parents and coaches. Then we started to tire and not get into the challenges as quickly, we hoped that at half time we could change the team around a bit, BUT we conceded to speed and strength and at 27 Mins it was 2-1 and this was a psychological blow for us and lift for Blackbirds coming in at half time.

After an array of substitutions we came out of the blocks slowly and this did not give us the expected lift of fresh legs we needed. We conceded 3 goals in quick succession to long balls over the top to their good centre forward. Who with strength and pace caused havoc in our defense.
49, 51 and 55 Mins

Harry at 57 mins took an excellent free kick and we were 3-4 down and then after pushing the team up Jamie scored a good header after Harry had hit the cross bar. 4-4.

At 60 minutes after another ball over the top and we conceded again 4-5 and went on all out attack to get an equaliser to no avail.

It was a disapointing result as we were the better team, Hats off to Blackbirds they could not play through us so just kept kicking the ball over the top at every opportunity not pretty but it was effective with their centre forward.

Man of the match was new boy Dominic together with Jamie more diamonds added to our team!

The Diamonds on Taylor! Not Dom or Jamie!

07.12 Radley v Cumnor Minors (Draw 1-1)

2011-12-12T13:54:00.000Z

The Radley game was quite uneventful, no fun, laughter or shouting for the record except for Cams dad but thats for him to discuss with you.

Radley went 1 up in the first half and had a couple of good chances that Adam saved. The defense marshalled well and looked on the whole very strong. Flynn levelled up before half time for 1-1.

The second half came and went, we had 4 guilt edged chances 1 on 1 with the keeper and Matthew went close hitting the post but it was one of those days.

Overall 1-1 we could have edged it and had the chances but a point is ok, we are now 6th out of a league of 9 so things are improving!

Man of the match worth a big mention was Guy for chasing, tackling, passing, chasing, looking up, dribbling, running up and down the pitch and did we mention chasing!

Sponsored by RED BULL better not let Guy touch the stuff!

04.12 Away v Radley (KO 10.30am)

2011-12-03T19:53:00.001Z

This is very close to Tilsley Park in Abingdon please can you get thier by 10.00am please

If you can or cannot attend please let me know asap - Thanks

Ignore the A sign although it is close by; Click on the map and you will have all the normal google map functions and you will see Badgers Copse.

View Larger Map

If you get to the entrance by Tilsley Park and continue in an Easterly direction go over the 1st roundabout and turn left at the 2nd roundabout into Radley Road. Take the 3rd right into Badgers Copse and almost immediately right into the club and parking.

27.11 Cumnor Minors v Benson (Win 4-1)

2011-12-02T01:59:00.001Z

A lovely sunny morning we met up with a good group of boys from that well known village, Bensons near the Hedges.

After our recent games this was a pleasant change.

The key to this match was the line up which was far more balanced than all the games we have played this season.

(Picture kindly donated by Steve and Sally Bryce just after they 1st met)

We cannot do anything without a team. Some players who ideally want to play midfield sacrificed their positions to enable the team to achieve a result and it was absolutely necessary.

The fluency of the whole team clearly benefited as we looked a reasonably organised from back to front and Adam was not left as exposed as usual BUT, still made two or three excellent saves to keep us in the match in the 1st half.

Line up

GOAL Adam, DEFENCE Mehmet, Shooting boots, Cam, Cookie with Old man making a welcome returning from sickness in the 2nd half MIDFIELD Jamie, Guy, Harry, Charlie FORWARD Elliott, Flynn and Matthew.

After a lot of players starting in new positions we looked a bit rusty BUT relatively safe and secure at the back. We started being placed under pressure with the Benson boys lighting up the field and taking long drags from the back. The defence looked relatively strong with Guy putting some miles in midfield. Unfortunately their habit prevailed and they found the back of our net with some nice football on 20 mins. From this we needed not to worry and just go back to what we were doing.

As the game wore on we appeared to get used to our new formation and started to move the ball from the back and put some pressure on their defence. At 28 mins from a throw to Harry he lifted the ball into the opposing teams cigarette box and Charlie lifted the ball over the keeper for a good goal. The strange thing was Charlie was limping and was asking to come of at least 30 seconds before the goal, strangely after this he limped on and on and on. What a difference a goal makes.

Half Time 1-1

In the second half we became stronger and stronger, it must have been Old Mans contribution after his long lay off. Over time we pressured the ball and pushed back their team with good performances from the front men and a low cross was vollied by Harry just inside the penalty area for a goal. At 50 Mins things looked better than they have for a while.

Benson were looking tired and were puffing hard and looked a bit downtrodden after our 2nd goal

At 55 min Harry scored from a free kick to the side of the penalty area a fantastic strike and did the same at 59min from another free kick off the under side of the bar after being tackled from behind.

Full Time 4-1

Possibly a flatering scoreline but a measure of the quality of Harrys goals. The formation allowed players to play today.

Man of the match was effectively the team performance.

Adam good saves

George D good return made no mistakes

Cookie played very solidly at Right back we know he prefers midfield

Cam fast and solid some great effort

George M majestic today and played excellently with Cam

Mehmet in defense and midfield still under the weather with his injuries and ended up off the pitch but well done.

Guy chased and closed and chased and closed and made some lovely runs and passes a great start in this position.

Charlie played with a limp most of the game and was not fully up to speed but gave it his all and was rewarded with a goal.

Harry enough has been said

Jamie played well yet again and is continuing to stride forward in the team

Flynn held the ball up well and played very well and was quite alone at times ended up with an injury but a very good game

Elliott again in a new position and seems to be enjoying himself more, some lovely touches and at times used his size and strength well.

Matthew battling himself as much as the opposition is making good strides and is helping close people down well in a front position.

BUT man of the match unanimously was given to George M and Cam for the balance they gave the team...........Sponsored this week by Richard after his donation to support the day at Oxford United yesterday, Thank You.

Happy birthday to the much maligned referee Steve who I thought had an excellent game and tried to explain his decisions and keep both sets of managers under tight control ! Thanks for the chocolates after the game for the boys BUT what about the rest of us?

Thanks again to Steve who donates his fee every week to our team and the rest to the club. Apologies for the dodgy picture, but thought people would like to know what you looked like before you became a referee.

26.11 - Oxford United v Cheltenham Game

2011-12-01T01:05:00.000Z

I will be posting some pictures shortly and sending these to all parents

A lack lustre 1st half BUT the 2nd was much better after Oxford came out fighting and had Davis sent off.

We hope the boys enjoyed the flags and the parade they were excellently behaved.

20.11 Cumnor Minors v Oxford City (Loss 3-4)

2011-11-21T09:52:00.003Z

Unfortunately we again have shifted more goals than we would like with another narrow loss. Again we had injuries with the starting line up and during the game which did not help. Plus we played people in positions we did not want to, which does not help when playing positionally.

That's the excuses over so lets get down to the game. A very friendly Oxford City greeted us and we appreciated the managers comments during the game it kept the lid on a potentially controversial situation, I hope this did not upset the boys football for both teams.

Again during the warm up we lacked focus with certain players not listening who were content to ignore the brief overview of instructions. Such as coming out of defense when defending and closing down. From bitter experience this does not bode well with players not concentrating from the off. By not doing the simple things of being organised and concentrating at this age group it will bite us in the back.

Photo of the best team in the world?

Line Up Adam GK, Guy LB, Cam and Mason CB, Cookie RB, Jamie LM, Harry and Charlie CM, Shooting boots RM, Elliot and Flynn Up front. Reserves Matthew and Mehmet nursing injuries.

Elliot was placed in support of Flynn to provide some strength and muscle and for his 1st time in this position he applied himself well.

I was pleased to see the referee had another pair of eyes with him today when he turned up with a dead pigeon strapped to his shoulder only to be dashed when he removed it.

2 mins into the game a mix up at the back cost us the 1st goal. Oxford City had the better play in the 1st half and we looked vunerable early on BUT after bringing Harry to the back we looked stronger and from this started to get the ball forward. Charlie was doing some sterling work in midfield but after making a lightning challenge was caught in the back of his leg and the short fat ambulance man carried him off. Mehmet was lucky not to be booked after playing in goal just in front of the half way line and made a majestic save (we have seen them given).The longer the second half went on the better we played and we were rewarded with a goal from Elliot his 1st for Cumnor when the ball rebounded out from the 6yd box. We were pleased to finish 1-1 at half time and felt we could move on from there.

Second half saw roughly the same amount of possesion but Oxford City had the better opportunities and made it 2-1 after 37 minutes. We pushed Cam and Harry forward which was the plan to chase the game but this was probably too bigger a switch and we conceded another goal on 40 minutes. Cookie took a couple of knocks and came off shortly afterwards. It must be said though that we made a few very late challenges.

4-1 down at 53 minutes and we looked dead and buried but for some reason we always seem to rise from the coffin and make a late surge. Cam and the rest of the midfield surged forward at every opportunity, Jamie had a long shot narrowly miss and then Cam scored at 57min with Flynn again as reliable as a Swiss Watch after a ball over the top 60 mins and we were rolling! 4-3.

Then that man in black who I am suprised can even see the hand on his watch let alone find his whistle blew for full time. Im not sure about this "sport for all" melachy and whether it should be extended to pensioner referees.

Mug of the match this week was Harry Tilling whose effort every week is unquestionable. Sponsored by our eagle eyed linesman Mark Sayers after he left the trophy at home and we stole his aluminium coffee mug to present to Harry. Or was it after his face?

Well done Mr Bryce a good performance in difficult circumstances thank you.

Remember next Saturday Oxford United on Saturday. Always remember it is when you lose that you find out who is commited to the team and the cause. We the Coaches, Parents and Boys need to get behind each other and concentrate on the many positives, we are a Rizzla paper away from doing the right things and we need to stay focused.

20.11 Home v Oxford City (12.00 KO)

2011-11-18T12:47:00.002Z

Please can we get to Closes for 11.30am as it gives us a bit of time with the players

Many Thanks

12.11 Cumnor Minors v Milton United Cup 2nd Rnd (Loss 4-6)

2011-11-14T16:02:00.005Z

We never forget

After the usual reports I write, some justified critisicm has been made to the actual content and how it compares to the actual match we played so here we go.

After the checking the pitch for the usual brown patches we were rewarded this week with some variety with a dead pigeon with the poor chirpers guts hanging out across the half way line! A quick elevation with a spade meant he got some air for the last time into the bushes, with bits narrowly missing my face.

We started with a depleted side this week with 5 absences

Old Man - Tonsulitis - Too much shouting
Cookie - His 70th Birthday or did he have tonsulitis?
Mason Chapman - Rememberance Sunday
Mathew Coleman - Our spare player had high jump in Birmingham
Fingers - Broken fingers after feeding a bird

Then with 10 on the day!

Mehmet limped in after being run over on his bike by a bus
BUT Mehmets made of stronger stuff!

So with 9.5 moving bodies this week part of Mehmet was squashed

Starting line up playing 3-2-3-1

Mehmet Goal keeper as he could not walk and only had half a body

Sort of defence/mid
Adam the goal keeper
Elliott
Guy
Cam
Charlie

Sort of midfield
Harry
Jamie
George M

Up front
Flynn

We kicked off after a respectful two minutes silence with a referee who looked a bit dodgy. We hoped his refereeing would be better. The sun was shining though!

Milton applied most of the pressure as we could not seem to move the ball forward mainly because we played quite defensively with..

"The old addage you can lose a game in the 1st 10-15 minutes if you go down a couple of goals"

Oh well, with this formation we were caught on the break with their pace up front and were 2 down in 15 minutes! poor Mehmet could only only rush out of goal slithering on his stomach.

At this point we were flapping

With this we moved Charlie further forward and brought Harry into the defense to stop leaking goals and the pigeon/ship began to steady. We put several attacks together only to shoot directly at their goal keeper, we probably should have converted at least 2 chances.

Unfortunately before half time we leaked a further goal and went in 3-0

We came off half time looking dejected and dishevelled with Mehmet also looking leg less. With some gentle encouragement all looked in good fettle.

Second half came and we looked a better side with Flynn scoring on 33 mins which game us some hope BUT then almost immediately we were caught on the break trying to push forward to go 4-1 down.

That was it the feathers were off and Harry went forward with Charlie pressing hard and we lost another two goals 6-1.

The managers and linesman continued to battle the lady bird invasion on the far side and with the managers not providing instructions after fighting off the thousands of bugs we clawed our way back into the game.

At 41 mins almost immediately after their last goal Harry pressed forward and gave us the momentum we needed 6-2

At 56 Jamie put in a cool one for 6-3 and we were off albiet a bit late (His 1st goal on his debut).

Harry was everywhere the later part of the game with Charlie playing beatifully weighted balls through their defense BUT Harry was adjudged to have hacked down a Milton player in the box and the miserable blind referee had the front to give them a penalty. That ref should be registered then at least we could have his labrador on to make some decent decisions as long as the dog can clear up his own .........................................
Mehmet made a fantastic save to his right on the ground

At 59 Jamie scored his second after a shot of the post from Harry and we definitely had our beak in front.

Full Time 6-4

A cracking game at the end with tremendous performances by our team

Special mentions
Jamie a good strong debut with 2 goals - MOM contender
Harry was literally everywhere plugging holes - MOM contender
Mehmet gave it his all and made 3 excellent saves and was not mobile enough to do anything about the others - MOM contender
Adam played very well on pitch
Elliot some times excellent when his head was going, was a good part of our revival in the second half.
Guy sat in an unusual position for him and played well in his 1st full game
Cam always plays well and his mental attitude is so strong he kept some players going.
George battled and
Flynn had little support but managed to carve out one goal and held the ball up at times for support - well done

Man of the match Charlie the squark Sayers after his performance in centre midfield this will give us something to think about going forward - One of the many positives

Sponsored By .........................Dead Sky Rats all over the world

Well done to all including MR STEVE BRYCE AN EXCELLENT REFEREE and an an excellent performance.

13.11 Home v Milton United (KO 12.00)

2011-11-09T09:05:00.000Z

Please can you be at Closes for 11.30am latest, if anybody can help with nets etc Thanks in advance

Players missing

Cookie
Mason
Matthew - Fingers

Possible George D - Tonsillitus

Down to 10 + 1 Hopefully

06.11 Training at the Closes 12.30pm

2011-11-04T09:24:00.000Z

Our game has been postponed for the weekend due to a cup competition we knew nothing about, so we are having a training session probably for 1 to 1.5 Hours dependant on weather.

It would be nice to see you their, if any parents come please bring some footwear as predominantly we will do training but may need some extra bodies to make up numbers.

If you cannot make it do not worry there will be more training on Wednesday at 7pm at Tilsley!

30.10 - Train at Closes 11.30am Going forward Wed 7pm Tilsley

2011-10-26T13:56:00.001+01:00

Dear all straining at Closes this weekend suggest if some of the parents want to be involved it would be good bring your hobnails. Remember Clocks go back this day so you will gain an hour

Following this 1st night straining session at Tilsley 7pm on Wednesday 3rd November on the big pitches not the little pitches we were on last year!

16.10 Rotherfield Vipers v Cumnor Minors (Loss 6-2)

2011-10-17T10:18:00.002+01:00

Before we talk about our game an extract about a match played at Summertown this weekend.

Before the match at Cutteslowe Park one of the away parents had spotted dog poo on the pitch and spoke to the opposing manager and walked around with him to point it out. When the 1st was spotted the manager calmly grasped it firmly and scooped it into his hands and walked to edge of the pitch and threw it into the trees. This happened at least once more and the parent had now glazed over with his head firmly in his hands.

Following this the Summertown manager had a lingering handshake with the opposing teams manager to greet them. After the manager finding out abou the poo incident there was a major rush to find some anti bacterial cleaner

Now to our game, we spoke with the referee about filling up some holes in the pitch before playing as an ankle could easily have been broken in a divot and due to this we moved to the neighboring pitch.

A good start and at half time we were 2-0 down after we had created as many chances as Vipers but not scored and even Harry had hit the post after taking the ball around the good Vipers keeper.

We moved Cameron out of defence as we may as well lose 6-0 trying to get back in the game rather than do nothing and this probably retrospectively weekened the defence and after some good attacks they were 5 goals to the good. They did play the offside rule and we will be happy to play against this in the next match. It will make our task easier.

Im not going to say too much about the game but I quote from an opposing teams parent that said to me"we do not deserve to be 5 goals up and it did not reflect the play".

However, the main difference between this year and last year is the speed of the challenge and the willingness at times to clear the ball, this is something we can work on and with a bit of training we believe this result may have been different.

After this we had a dubious penalty awarded to US that Harry scored and then an excellent goal scored from a move between several players that Cameron scored. 5-2 and we started to roll and put them under pressure but ultimately they scored to get to 6-2.

Many players had very good performances and they had a keeper that was nearly as good as Adam and a forward that on his day might have been as good as Flynn.

The next game will be different we have a new player and we will be looking at the overall formation to get the best from it..

Well played to all for our come back against a very good team. A quick shot of Mr Tillings hand whilst doing the necessary work around the Closes.

Man of the match Shooting Boots who was IMPERIOUS in midfield sponsored by Marigold gloves nothing is going to stick to us! (Lynne please can you get some anti bacterial hand wash please).

16.10 Rotherfield Vipers Away

2011-10-11T11:11:00.003+01:00

11:45am --- changed from 11.00am

Venue: Bishopswood Sports field

Horsepond Road
Reading, Berkshire RG4 9BT

www.rotherfieldfc.com/location

Please can we get there for 11.15am if you want to combine cars I should have three spaces.

Guy away

09.10 Cumnor Minors v Rotherfield Cobras (Loss 5-6)

2011-10-09T20:41:00.003+01:00

Spotted Oxford Blackbirds player in Oxford!

What an outstanding match, unfortunately we came out on the losing side. Two attacking teams that played good fair football. We had a full complement this week with no absences........I feel Cobras playing rugby before the game made a strange atmosphere as its the 1st time at the Closes we have seen rugby played.

Possibly the French manager was trying to rub the England France rugby result in our faces!

A great coach with great boys and parents

3 Mins - Good inswinging corner from Harry, Cam with what I believe his 1st header a good clinical goal. 1-0

5 Mins - We had opportunities to clear the ball in the air and failed. A bit of a defensive mix up and we gave the ball to the Cobras to strike 1-1

10 Mins - We tried to play the ball out of defense by beating the opposition and not trying to pass. We lost the ball then we stood off their attackers and paid the ultimate price. 1-2

At this time we needed to rally the defense and get them working as a team and closing the ball down. If we continued to play like this we would have lost this game by multiple goals. Whilst we are not keen on shouting, the boys needed to step up from how they were playing and folowing this 2nd goal the defense improved their closing and headers.

18 Mins - A terrific shot by Cookie from the edge of the box and their keeper stood no chance. 2-2

25 Mins - Matt playing in midfield today. He seems to get in the right position and got a body part on it to nudge it over the line. 3-2

28 mins - A good attack resulted in a good goal 3-3

HT - Again its a shame we could not have made it in at half time in the lead again.

33mins goal from Cobras 3-4

39 mins Flynn managed another strike 4-4

47 Mins - we lost another 4-5

As time went on we tried to push forward a bit more

59 Mins - A dodgy challenge in the penalty area and for the 2nd week we give away a last ditch penalty 4-6

60 Mins - A ball forward Harry linked onto it and made a good goal one on one with keeper 5-6

At the end of the game we managed a corner and had every player bar 1 in the opposing penalty area but it was cleared and the final whistle blew but the Cobras were rattled.

Again a disapointment for the boys, we have been so close with every game we have played this year we just need to go top the next level.

Positives were the improvement in our defending from the first two goals and the performance by all after this was improved.
All our goals came from different players which may be good or may mean we are not playing positionally?
A good team performance, we feel we are still improving and can work on things in training.

As with all the French at rugby games they introduce a chicken during the match BUT I feel this time their French coach went a step too far!

It made be blush and Im not sure its appropriate either!

Man of the match sponsored by Rentokill killer of all vermin including snakes! was Mason for a tremendous step forward and did everything that was asked of him, WELL DONE you can have a chicken

Well done to Cobras we will have our revenge!

09.10 Home v Rotherfield Cobras 12.00 Noon

2011-10-07T15:50:00.000+01:00

Please can you arrange to be on site at 11.30am please

If anybody would be kind enough to help we should only need to put the nets and barrier up
Be there from around 11ish and a bit more - Thanks

02.10 Oxford Blackbirds v Cumnor Minors (Draw 3-3)

2011-10-03T09:39:00.004+01:00

We did not realise how much improved is the Oxford Bluebirds Ground!

If you look carefully you can just see Mehmet warming up on the far side!

A close game by two good sides. We are exceptionally pleased with the improvement after the first 3 games, this was not going to be easy and again the Cumnor players have made another big step forward. If we keep improving we should not be afraid of any side in this league.

On the enormous pitch you see above and in a typical Indian summer with temperatues in the early mid twenties, fitness was going to be an issue.

We had a full squad available and had a faily even start to the game. We made good passing and movement. Cameron and Elliott kept their good aggressive Starling up front largely under control.

After 27 mins and a free kick into the box by Mehmet playing at left midfield Flynn as always got the ball under control and netted the ball into the opposing teams aviary past the flapping pigeon.

At 29 mins they immediately returned the favour after we had opportunities to get tight to their birds of prey. The big Starling turned on the six yard box and shot across the goal just wide only for a Swift to knock it in at the last moment.

HT 1-1 If we could have just got in at 1-0

In the 37min Shooting boots had a good header to be denied by the post although Flynn again was available to clear up to make his 2nd goal of the game.

After this we looked the stronger side and were largely under control in defence and midfield. Harry had a few opportunities largely of his own making during the game, that could easily have improved the score line in both the 1st and 2nd halfs.

At 48 min with the ball bouncing around in their goal, Cookie nudged the ball in from short distance to make it 3-1. We looked like we had the game under control.

Then at 52mins they scored after pushing players forward. This did make them look vunerable at the back but the gamble paid off and they were rewarded. Adam made several saves to keep the scoreline level but we defended deeper and this played into there hands and put us under more pressure with a larger gap between defense and midfield.

Then the dreaded penalty at 59mins we were adjudged to have handled in our box when they were on the attack by controlling the ball with a shoulder and the Eagle eyed referee blew for a penalty.

Adam made a fantastic diving save after their player waddled up with a low hard shot to the bottom corner. But, unfortunately a vulture quickly swooped to the ball and tapped it in . Well done Adam a majestic perfornmance again and we hope the grazes on your leg and arm heal quickly.

FT 3-3

On reflection a disappointing result when we were in a good position BUT a good game against a good team, but the best of it is our improvement. We also looked relatively fit which was another plus point.

A great team performance mentions could go to all of the team, man of the match this week for his goals not just this week but every week is Flynn sponsored by the RSPB. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (you knew it was coming).

02.10 Away v Oxford Blackbirds KO 10.30am

2011-09-28T13:56:00.004+01:00

OX4 6JL Pegasus Road Blackbird Leys

Southern Bypass from A34, At the Watlington Road B480 turn right. ie just before BMW Mini factory. ie drop down to roundabout below dual carriageway.

Follow this road until you see Johnsons Buildbase on left and turn right at the Oxford Bullnose pub at the lights into Cuddesdon Way.

Turn 2nd left into Pegasus Road and follow road around you will see lots of pitches on right and you can park in the sports centre car park if there are enough spaces.

See you Sunday - PS we have all the kit

View Larger Map

Cholsey v Cumnor Minors (Win 1-18)

2011-09-25T18:15:00.002+01:00

Yes eighteen and we scored all 19 - Our largest win
Obviously an inspired training session by the coaches during the week!

We had all our players available today and playing aginst a 10 man team that were not the strongest this made all the difference.

After last week we made some changes to the line up the biggest being the placement of Matthew up front.

On a three quarter size pitch the players could easily kick to the half way line and this probably had something to do with the scoreline, the squad were totally rotated during the game.

Many plus points from last week these were the simple things;

1. Closing down early on in the game was much better.
2. Passing was 300% better and everybody was looking for them except in front of goal late on.
3. Passing and moving largely being completed
4. Good corners with attempted headers and our Cookie got 2 goals.
5. Marking at set plays better
6. Although they were not a strong team we made a presence known
7. Concentration at the start
Im saying nothing more than an excellent performance BUT next week will be a different game with different challenges. So many goals and some very good shots so we have a listing;

3 mins - Charlie - His 1st goal for Cumnor
7 mins - Harry
9 mins - Cam
12 mins - Louie
14 mins - Harry
21 mins - Flynn his 1st touch
25 mins - Flynn
28 mins - Coleman - His 1st goal for Cumnor

HT 8-0

35 mins - Flynn Hatrick
37 mins - Cookie Header 1st goal for Cumnor
39 mins - Cookie Header
43 mins - Matt - His 1st goal for Cumnor
45 mins - Charlie
48 mins - Mason - His 1st goal for Cumnor
53 mins - Harry Hatrick
55 mins - Mehmet
57 mins - Own goal he who will not be named!
58 mins - Flynn Quartet
60 mins - After Matt was brought down - Shooting Boots from the spot.

FT 1-18
Not much else to say, Man of the match sponsored by Thames Water fixer of leaky taps was Cookie who passed and passed and headed. He was only one of very few who did this last week as well as this week - Congratulations.

A small mention to Cholsey who unfortunately could not stem the tide and continued in adversity. Lets hope they keep going as at the end of the day we want the boys to be part of a team that play good and bad. Best Wishes

25.09 Away v Cholsey Bluebirds KO 10.30am

2011-09-23T08:24:00.001+01:00

If anybody wants to meet at Vine let me know to combine cars up

Recreation Ground Cholsey OX10 9PX for 10am

http://www.cholseybluebirdsfc.co.uk/ground.html

18.09 Cumnor Minors v Radley (Loss 1-2)

2011-09-19T11:23:00.006+01:00

Before the match Steve Wheeler from OMBL took some photographs as these will be in the Oxford Mail on Wednesday this week with a match report. I will see if we can get hold of an official copy of the photo. In the meantime a snap from the phone!

After the fun of the photos we then a had the job in hand which was against a team we have played in friendlies and tournaments but never in anger!

The managers have thought long and hard about this game, which culminated in over an hour long conversation on Sunday evening.

Before the match we appeared to lack some concentration on the game and were full of general chit chat, which in past experiences is not a good sign on concentrating on the job in hand.

We started well enough and early on from a throw from Elliot in their half Flynn picked up the ball dribbled and without any real support from other players, shot across goal on the ground for a good 1st goal. Clearly Flynn and Elliott were concentrating.

From then on this seemed to alert Radley to a problem and they picked up their game and started to build some attacks. They used their lone front man to hold the ball up, he delivered it out to the right wing as a centre midfielder sprinted to the right hand side with the right midfielder joining in. Sometimes we were up to this attack and others we were left with one against two on the left back. Luckily we seemed to deal with this through luck and a fair wind.

Then the 1st Radley goal, a careful and considered ball over the top picked up by the Radley player and charged down by our defender, we failed to get the ball out and we had a second opportunity that was not cleared. Unfortunately we did not get three chances and they scored when the ball bobbled in our penalty area!

The third goal was much the same in that it was an attack that hung around the penalty area, we unfortunately did not get a challenge in on the attacker, he shot Adam almost parried in out and it slipped in the top corner. When we go one down we must not let our heads drop and feel sorry for ourselves we need to pick ourselves up and try again!

The SLIGHTLY controversial incident was were Harry was brought down 2-3 metres inside the Radley penalty area from a tackle when dribbling the ball in from a player tackling from in front of him, so by no imagination was the free kick not a penalty. The referee called for a free kick outside the box! Even the Radley subs could not believe it and I will say neither could I. HT 1-2

The second half was more of the same except Radley confirmed their strong but fair physical presence all over the pitch, this will be a continuing theme as the boys get older and we need to get used to it. Unfortnately us as a team did not have any answers to this and the game ran out after several shots and excellent saves by Adam. FT 1-2

I will say they deserved the win, their first in over 1 year. We were so close and yet so far.

We need to concentrate more on passing the ball, not just kicking it.
We passed so little and due to this failed to retain possession, also due to their pressure.
We could not get the ball forward due to the strength of their midfield.
I personally blame the coaches with these things resolved we would have perservered. So lets hope they pull their finger out for the next game. The team can only do what they are asked to do and they do their best to deliver!

So plenty for all of us to get our teeth into for the next training session. Man of the match this week sponsored by short football coaches with big mouths goes to Adam Bradley for some great saves well done.

Please can all parents return their subs please - many thanks

18.09 Home v Radley KO 12.00am

2011-09-12T12:25:00.001+01:00

Please be at the Closes for 11.30am latest if we can have help any earlier to set up;

Nets
Barrier
Possible line marking
Tea etc
Linesman

Mark and I will be there from around 11to 11.15 latest - Thanks

11.09 Benson v Cumnor Minors (Win 1-2)

2011-09-11T13:54:00.002+01:00

It was a game of two halfs one with the wind behind

And one with the wind against

We all know what I mean. We were playing a team that finished fourth in the league last season and had beaten our friendly opponents Littlemore last year by a significant margin.

We started with a good twelve players with Flynn nursing a foot injury and Adam a head injury. We chose to kick down wind 1st half and probably unsurprisingly had most of the attack with multiple corners. We seemed to lack the final craft to get us a goal but were rewarded with an own goal after a low cross from Flynn into the centre of the box was converted by a Benson player (most unfortunate).

At the end of HT 0-1 to us although the wind was probably worth 2 goals.

We started relatively strongly with the wind picking up all the time in the second half and from a lovely corner they scored a largely unchallenged header to even the score at 1-1 after about 40 mins. Almost immediately we attacked and after some lovely skill from George Murphy with a great looping shot from just inside the box he scored a fantastic goal (Shooting Boots 1st in recent years if my memory is right) With composure like that you would think he scored every week and should of course!

Then at 2-1 the wind was getting stronger and the players began to tire a bit and for the last ten muniutes we held on gamely with some great challenges with a defense that looked transformed from the friendly last week.

A tense 62nd minute after Louie was adjudged to have blocked a Benson player on the edge of the box. I cant see that Louie could block anybody particularly when he only went to bed at 4.30am after a particularly heavy night. The ball in was headed wide for a goal kick.

At the end our defense and goal keeper triumphed and the spirit of the team won through an excellent team performance.

Mentions to all - Adam playing with no head very sure, George D having a very good match, Mason adapting to his new role in centre defense, Cameron very strong at right back with his amazing pace, Cookie played well with lovely passing, George Murphy excellent, Harry played mainly up front but helped late on as an additional defender, Mehmet excellent in front of the defense, Matthew playing his 1st proper game made an excellent debut in the league, well done, Flynn with one leg why did he not shoot when one on one! but great play, Louie (Alias Andy Caroll) great strength this week. BUT last and certainly not least Elliott who stepped forward today marshalled the defense, made excellent goal kicks and played like a centurion and for this he was our MAN OF THE MATCH sponsored by Remegel guaranteed to help with your wind, so my wife says.

Well done very Proud Parents and the old Coaches.

11.09 Benson v Cumnor Minors Away KO 10.30

2011-09-08T16:49:00.005+01:00

Suggest we meet at the Vine and combine cars as much as possible will help the Carterton players particularly. Meet at 9.30 am prompt.

The Vine is near our ground. If you came past the ground from Appleton way into Cumnor continue past the Closes on the left, go around the corners past the Bear and Ragged Ar*, at the mini rbout turn right, follow into one way bit and turn right at top. Vine car park is on right past play area!

Going direct are; Flynn, Harry...let us know so we dont hang around ...thanks meet at ground at 10.00am

Sunnyside, Benson, OX10 6LZ

Going out of Oxford on the sainsbury roundabout towards Nuneham Courteney on A4074 carry on past Berinsfield and Shillingford you arrive at the Benson roundabout where the big garage and petrol station is , turn left on B4009 Benson.

Turn 1st left Littleworth Road then next left Sunnyside - Parking and club immediately on right!

Call if any issues

04.09 Littlemore v Cumnor Minors (Friendly Loss 4-0)

2011-09-07T16:48:00.000+01:00

This was going to be a testing friendly playing an A League team that had played 4 friendlies and been training over August.

Early on unsurprisingly we went two goals down and looked a bit short on almost everything but mainly speed to the ball, sharpness and match awareness but gradually as the game wore on we looked a bit quicker and more aware to finish up 3 down at half time.

Second half we looked a bit more secure in defense and even started to move the ball forward a bit we lost another goal but late on in the game we were starting to pressurise them, playing more together defensively using the offside rule and generally looking sharper and more aware after playing 50 mins.

A very good performance where we dramatically improved and continued to play football and never gave up. Mentions to the new players Matthew played a good 1st game with Charlie who looked like he had never played for another team over the last 2 years, well done to all.

Thanks Steve for being ref in your hobnail boots and Ollie for lines. Parents for being their for your boys, give yourselves a round of applause...CLAP CLAP............

04.09 Littlemore Away 10.30 KO Friendly

2011-08-31T14:55:00.009+01:00

You need to get on the Southern By Pass off A34
Head towards the BMW/Mini Factory, go past the Sainsburys roundabout. Next Roundabout is Rose Hill and Littlemore. Turn right and Go through the traffic calming measures. Go past Swinbourne Road on left. Then apparently their is (Cannot confirm do not know) a bus stop on right.

Just before there on right is an entrance to playing fields with a gate, It does not look like you can see them from the road - I do not think you can park inside looking at the map. So might be best to go around the back.

So carry on past Dudgeon Drive on right
Turn right at the George Inn into Railway Lane
Then right into Chapel Lane
Then right into Kempson Crescent
It looks like this splits at a T junction and the back footpath is diagonally to the right

Please get their for 10ish we only have 11 players no Louie or Cameron. Please bring any kit you can as we will probably be short old Cumnor tops will be fine. Blue-Black shorts if no blue. Blue-Black socks if no blue.

Order for kit is in but will take to mid/end of September!

PS They were promoted from B League last season in OMBL to A League

01.09.11 - Training 2nd Session + Match

2011-08-30T13:06:00.000+01:00

Dear all training resumed last week

We are trying to arrange a match on Sunday morning at usual times

Training will be moving to Wednesday 7-8pm at Tilsley when clocks go back or earlier if everybody want to move it to Wednesday full time

Please advise if unavailable Many Thanks

26.06 Ardington Tournament (Semi Finalists Loss on Penalties)

2011-06-27T08:39:00.003+01:00

Probably a performance that surpasses Radley in some ways BUT without the result.

In a league that included,

Winners of Witney A League - Ducklington
Winners of Oxford A League - Ardington
Runners Up of Oxford A League - Horspath
And other A League teams

We played I think 8 Won 5 Drew 3 against the teams above, playing on average better than them. Came 2nd in our league...conceding 1 goal.

There was a peculiar draw and we ended up playing Ducklington B in the Quarter final and ended up playing better and managed a win on penalties. Takers Harry, Grant and George.

Then we played Ducklington A in the semi final and we were the better side but failed to score. Went to penalties and lost in sudden death! Takers Harry, Grant, George and Matthew. (But all the team wanted to take a penalty and stood up to be counted). All the players consoled each other and the team ethic was the winner today a wonderful group of boys.

Played 10 - Conceded 1 goal! A majestic performance in 28 degree heat

Players were immense and we had no outright star everybody was fantastic, Adam, Flynn, Matthew, George D, Harry, Grant, Louie and..........Mehmet came to watch but due to reduced numbers played brilliantly.

WONDERFUL

18.06 Carterton Tournament (League 3rd Place) 5 Wins from 7

2011-06-20T13:27:00.000+01:00

A great attacking performance made the Cumnor Team stand out in their League scoring 19 goals against the winners of the league who got 11. With 15 points.

With two narrow losses to the winners Ducklington and semi finalists Highworth. Highworth got through by virtue of 5 wins and 1 draw.

In the other league the semi finalists got through with I think 11 points!

Our parents were proud of our players performance, Mehmet in goal, Gareth, Harry, Grant, Mason, Elliott, George Murphy and last but not least Flynn.

Hard luck to all but thats footy ball!

12.06 - Radley Tournament Winners

2011-06-13T13:51:00.005+01:00

Winners U8
Winners U9
Runners Up U10
Winners U11

What a fantastic day Enjoyed by all except for the hounding rain in 12 degree heat, got there at 8.20am left a 5.40pm.

The squad

Mehmet - In goal Adam would have been proud of him made some crucial stops and reflex saves.
George D - Scored two good goals playing up front was injured and finally succumbed scoring his second.
Cam - Played so well at the back on his own we could not move him to his favoured mid field.
Harry - Solid with his normal 110% work rate and commitment, some lovely interchanges
Gareth - Scored at least two up front was cool in front of goal with good touches
George M - Solid from the off with some lovely touches and fine tackles
Grant - Scored a couple of goals, probably the best you will see in a game a scorcher after multiple passes, work rate was 120%
Louie - Probably the pick of the day was so silky skillful scored a wonder goal from a restart and the winner in the final in extra time. He got a nose bleed after the other 7 players jumped on top of him.

Fantastic and a thank you to Richard and Adam who turned up to see how we were doing. Andy Cams dad turned up as a glory supporter just before we got to the final..

Final against Hinksey, Oxford City A + B, Radley A + B, Farringdon, Drayton, Botley Etc..............

Sensational!

05.06 - Crowmarsh Tournament Semi Finalists

2011-06-06T13:53:00.002+01:00

An excellent performance by the players narrowly missing out losing 1-0 in the semi final by the width of a cigarette paper, 26 degree heat!

Mason - I will rename this man Iron Man
George D - Played well in front of goal
Flynn - Excellent as usual
Grant - 195% effort and commitment particularly in the semi final
Harry - As always totally commited
Adam - In goal ss you expect how he always plays
Mehmet - Fantastic with maximum effort

Unlucky after a momentary lapse in concentration at the begining of the semi final although we easily matched Crowmarsh.

29.05 Home v Chasewell Park (Draw 0-0)

2011-05-29T14:14:00.009+01:00

Our final game of the season and this must have been amazing for the armchair viewer particularly as it had been chosen by the BBC to be their only youth football clash of the season. Jonathan Pearce could hardly contain himself in the commentary.

All players were present and played some fantastic football Cumnor had most of the play with some interchanges between players that could only be described as mesmorising. Odd comments that can be made player by player.

Adam - Compared to Peter Shilton by Mr Pearce, stopped at least 75 excellent shots.
Mason - Russell received a call from Gus Poyet asking when he would become available to play for Brighton
Cameron - Was watched by Nicholas Cage after him flying over from America specially for the match
George M - Shooting boots had 6 goals disallowed for looking like a dangerously attacking player by the referee.
George D - Playing on roller skates achieved speeds he could only dream off, racing up the wing from left back just like Ashley Cole.
Mehmet - Went in goal when Adam was getting his manicure and made save after save, out on pitch looked and played like the spitting image of Lionel Messi.
Louie - Walked tall on the pitch and played a physical game elbowing out some off the 6ft 20st midfield players with his sheer strength and laid everything to waste in his path.
Harry - With sheer grit and determination had at least 40 long shots at goal, only to hit the post and bar on every occasion. The bar eventually collapsed under the power of the shots.
Matthew - Playing in goal, in defense, in midfield, in attack, in the centre on the left and right upside down and back to front looked like a long version of Gianfranco Zola.
Grant - Like a tornado or Jim Carrey from the mask popped up everwhere where the ball was the only difference was he was not green.
Gareth - Played most of the game laying on a sun lounger like a lounge lizard in the sun. Popped up when the ball got anywhere near the right wing and tore down the wing blatting everything in its path.
Elliott - Larger than life and as desribed by the pundits as a player with excellent technical ability and potential. The gentle giant.
Flynn - 53 shots on target and only the excellent goalkeeping of Chasewell kept the ball out - tremendous
Cookie - Hes here is their is absolutely everywhere Cookie, Cookie! he just keeps on going and was only with us at the end of the season a great signing for 2011/2012
Wills - A sad loss of a great player we wish him well at his new school

As Gary Lineker said how was that game 0-0 a tremendous game! How did they edit down to to 45 minutes for the tv!

26.05 Training Shippon 6pm

2011-05-25T22:02:00.001+01:00

Chasewell game cancelled

07.05 Cumnor Minors v Deddington TC Cheatahs (Win 8-3)

2011-05-08T10:14:00.002+01:00

I hope everybody enjoyed this game, ignoring the game itself and the result!

What I particularly enjoyed was Jerry a good manager who did football for the right reasons for the boys. His respectful parents and the excellent boys. It was Cheeters last game (sorry) and I was genuinely sorry today to see one of the good teams with good guys fold. We have had some enjoyable games - The dodgy pitch away which was in retrospect fun. The dodgy pitch at home due to torential rain during the night which meant we played on the extended postage stamp. Particularly after I slagged their pitch so much!

We started well going 2-0 up after 15 minutes with goals from Harry and Grant. Then they seemed to explore the frailties in our defensive formation with Harry scoring at 22 minutes to finish HT 3-3. We looked all at sea after the heavy rain last night and finished the half accordingly. A deserved result at the end of HT a close fought half.

After a revamped formation to start the 2nd half and some strong words on closing down, we were renewed. We scored 5 we hit the post twice and the bar!

Flynn - 37mins
Cam - Delightful flick 47mins
Harry- Long shot I think 51mins - Hat Trick
Harry - 52mins
George Murphy was taken down in the box and should have taken the penalty but due to Harry chasing the club golden boot he took it and scored 56mins. (Half a goal allocated to George). - Penta Trick!

We saw the game out and deserved the win, but I have this nagging feeling of a good team lost to the league!

Thanks Jerry and his pacemakers a great bunch of boys.

Man of the match for his 5 goals was Harry BUT it was not all one man terrific performances by all, the game of football won today - Thank You.

07.05 Home v Deddington Town Colts Cheatahs (KO 10.30)

2011-05-05T11:10:00.003+01:00

We will be at the Closes at 9.00-9.15 any help much appreciated - Thanks

AFTERWARDS SHOOTING AT CULHAM!!!!!!!!!!

30.04 Yarnton Blues v Cumnor Minors (Draw 5-5)

2011-04-30T22:34:00.001+01:00

What do we say a good game etc.......

However, I was told today we were the dirtiest side that have ever played on that ground, I did look over my shoulder at that moment not thinking I was being spoken to, I also did not reply. Several of the opposing teams parents shouted suggestions that their team should fall over like us so they can get free kicks. I was also told that some of our parents and one of our coaches should not accuse Yarnton players of diving and they needed to be spoken to.......Lets say speechless is the best way to deal with comments like this.

The joys of parents and football BUT how did the boys do thats the important thing that so many teams seem to forget. Its about the boys not the coaches and not the parents.

Now the game....I have lost some enthusiasm

Shortly after kick off Harry went by their goalkeeper when one on one and scored with a neat RIGHT foot shot! 1-0. At 7 min Harry scored another goal and on 13min Grant scored a follow up 3-0 UP!

Then 14 mins 3-1 at 14 mins from a good free kick, 3-2 at 16mins from a penalty.Then 4-2 Flynn with a flick over the goal keeper and 4-3 from another good free kick at 29 mins. We could argue that one of those free kicks was dubious BUT its the referees decision and we respect that.

Harry penalty at 37min after a push in the box - Hat Trick. We then had an issue when Elliot hurt his foot and came off. We became more under pressure from the wind, the slope and the energetic Yarnton play. We then squandered our lead after a good half way shot that went over the top of Adam in the goal at 55 mins, unstoppable and about 2-3 minutes in late/injury time they scored for their equaliser on the last attack. 5-5 phew......

We had probably more chances and should have closed the game off better in defense. Some closer marking sleeping a bit less always a good idea when playing football! But everything conspired against us for the draw Well done to the Yarnton players effort they came back from 3 down a not inconsiderable achievement.

Lets hope our last remaining fixtures are as exciting on the pitch. I seriously cannot believe what I have witnessed over the last few weeks off the pitch.

Role on Oxford League next season.

Great play from many players, George D playing with a touch of the Montezumas after his holiday in Egypt. It definitely improved his speed today though. Elliot good when moved to the centre of defense, George M playing an excellent right back, Cam was good as always, Mehmet with his dodgy swollen face with his raging teeth. Grant floating in midfield with a good controlled shot, Gareth, Cookie and Louie pressing in midfield. Harry scoring 3 one with his right foot. Flynn for his goal and persistance, Adam let in 5 good goals not suprisingly but did nothing wrong and played well with no mistakes.

Man of the match though for his engine and quick feet was Mason sponsored by the British Army Tank Division nothing much got passed him and if they did it was not easy!

Roll on the end of season, next game against the lovely Gerry and the Pacemakers.

30.04 Away v Yarnton Blues KO 10.30am

2011-04-27T18:45:00.000+01:00

View Larger Map

Come off A34 at Pear Tree and head up A44 towards Woodstock, Go straight on at 1st roundabout towards Woodstock. Over bridge and just before next roundabout which is The Turnpike Pub turn right into Yarnton Lane, go past the pub on left and Green Lane is on left which goes towards sports ground.

Littlemarsh Sports Ground, Green Lane Yarnton. No post code Im afraid see you there at 9.45am

28.04 Training at Shippon 6.00pm as usual from then for a bit!

2011-04-26T11:17:00.003+01:00

30.04 Away to Yarnton Blues details to be posted!

14.04 Training Shippon 6.00pm

2011-04-13T11:34:00.002+01:00

Dear all training fun game this week at 6.00pm keep watching for further information

09.04 Chesterton v Cumnor Minors (Loss 1-5)

2011-04-12T11:50:00.000+01:00

Apologies for the late post I have thought long and hard before putting this up for various reasons which I will list but put no comments up.

10 Players of Chesterton v 11 Players of Cumnor - delayed start
Constant challenging of the young female referee
Booking incident after Chesterton scored and the subsequent injury to Cameron
Various challenges

If I had seen the incident with Cameron I would have discussed with both Mark and Owen if it was worth continuing the game.

Now the football, we started well and kept them under pressure in the 1st half and we had several chances but unfortunately the ball would not go in. Towards the end of the half we failed to clear were put under pressure and they scored. Then late on Cookie was about to challenge for the ball and it spinned off his foot for a goal at the wrong end! HT 2-0

In the second half we worked well but we could not keep up with their speed and pressure and let in a further 3 goals. We did have chances at the other end but we were not clinical. Finally in the dying moments Flynn popped up to make it FT 5-1

Possibly a flattering result to the opposition who on balance were definitely better. However, we need to concentrate on the job in hand and play football. It was a hard game but as we get older some teams will grind results out.

Mentions to various players, Mehmet good in goal, Cookie did not do anything wrong and played well BUT next time must score at the right end on his debut. Louie battled in an unfamiliar midfield position and for his application and resolve deserves the Man of the Match. Well done to all!

Man of the match sponsored this week by BRUT aftershave 'Splash it all Over'

09.04 Away v Chesterton (KO 10.30)

2011-04-09T20:47:00.000+01:00

View Larger Map

We are meeting at Vine at 9.10am Leave promptly 9.15am in convoy!

Head up A34 to Bicester, cross M40 and take 1st left to Little Chesterton or 2nd left to Chesterton. Turn left into Green Lane/Akeman Street. Go past Golf Course on right and pitch on left shortly afterwards.
Bicester Sports Association, Akeman Street, Chesterton

This is the same ground we went to for Bicester Town Colts

26.03 Cumnor Minors v Chesterton Juniors (Loss 0-4)

2011-03-29T20:50:00.002+01:00

The first game where we failed to score!

A strong footballing Chesterton went one up in the 1st half after some good play BUT we handed them the goal after a couple of missed clearances. They had more chances than us but we had a chance go when we were one on one with their keeper HT 0-1

In the second half we pushed for a result and went to 3 at the back to try to get the players to win the ball in midfield and this worked to some extent BUT their players pressed our forwards and ultimately we lacked the strength up front and were out muscled by their defensive players. Better to go down trying for a win rather than wait for them to get another goal!

We changed the forwards around and we enjoyed some greater success narrowly missing the goal with a shot from Wills that was well saved and ultimately the follow up by Harry went over the bar. Phew!

Then in the dying embers of the game we conceded a third goal and a penalty on virtually the final whistle, possibly a generous scoreline for Chesterton FT 4-0.

Man of the match for a much improved performance was a deserved reward for Mehmet sponsored by the Queen (Not that queen but the drag queen who performs at the Dog and Duck).

Good luck for the next match a return game against Chesterton!

Congratulations to Mr Tilling on his birthday - Happy birthday from the boys

19.03 Cumnor Minors v Bampton Town (Win 2-0)

2011-03-19T12:42:00.002Z

They say short people do all the shouting and when the ref did not turn up it was time to put the mouth to the test and make him referee.

Overall not the most exciting of games as we were spoiled last week. But we can take our 1st clean sheet of the season from the match. We are still looking for one game where all players are available!

Two goals from Flynn Jackson were the difference but for the clean sheet Cameron Stevens was again made man of the match sponsored by Andrex makers of clean sheets.

The game was contested with a good footballing Bampton who played the ball well but ultimately lacked the killer instinct. We battled well, played fooball a bit and won the game, well done to all

19.03 Home v Bampton Town KO 10.30am

2011-03-14T14:16:00.000Z

As always all help appreciated we will be at ground from 9.00am to set up!!!!!! HELP Thanks etc

12.03 Chasewell Park v Cumnor Minors (Win 1-2)

2011-03-12T17:09:00.005Z

An excellent performance and result, probably the pick of this season and the boys did it all for RICHARD, Adam's dads BIRTHDAY

With so many candles, birthdays at this age always involve the fire brigade!

We started reasonably well with Chasewell with the better play, they had a few searching attacks that we managed to evade by good goal keeping, good defending and some good luck. However, they pressed more than us and we had problems transferring the ball from defense to attack, eventually their good right sided forward had a good shot to make it 1-0 at 12 min. The game continued with Chasewell having the better possession and several attacks with Cumnor largely on the defense. We did press in the dying moments of the 1st half and Flynn scored an opportunist goal on the final whistle, after some much needed pressure on Chasewell. We came in 1-1 at HT... phew.....

We changed the formation from largely 5 at the back to 3 at the back in the second half. We had a 5 man midfield and decided we were going to go down trying for a win even if it left us exposed at the back. The experiment largely paid off and most of the football took place in the centre and the Chasewell half, a change from the 1st half. We had the larger part of the play, but they had the better chances with our 3 man defense largely holding strong. They did have a shot with the ball bobbling ball in our box that came off the post. Well done Adam, Elliott, Cameron and Mehmet. We played some good football at times and it was a move of the best quality football, from where we had our best opportunity. An unnamed player had largely an open goal but could not get his foot on it and it drifted past the post for a goal kick. They then attacked and won a free kick near the edge of our box, was it or was it not? who knows, but at least Elliot had made a strong challenge that we were pleased about. From this their player had an excellent strike to hit the top corner of the woodwork. Right at the death we won a corner and from this the ball bounced around and Harry poked in another goal within their six yard box. The whistle went at the same time the goal was given. We had won!FT 2-1 The boys went mad and the parents invaded the pitch completely ignoring the respect barriers. Great play from the midfielders, George M, Matthew, Mason, Wills, Gareth, George D well done forwards Harry, Flynn and Louie.

A wonderful game from the Cumnor viewpoint, they had more chances than us although the overall play was largely close. I am sure if I was a Chasewell player I would be upset with 2 goals at the end of each half, but it was exciting.

A game played with a great bunch of kids, with Eric their manager refereeing fairly. They even gave us some doughnuts to eat, a lovely gesture. We wish them well and Thank them.

Man of the match postumously sponsored by diocalm after eating Brownies made for Richards birthday and doughnuts from Chasewell was Cameron, it could have been many including Adam, Elliot, Mehmet to name a few BUT well played to all we were all were 'man of the match.'

WE WILL ENJOY THIS WHILST IT LASTS - are we too late for a title challenge? ......

12.03 Away v Chasewell Park (10.30 KO)

2011-03-07T09:16:00.003Z

View Larger Map

You can see by the map this is near the Horton Hospital. The recreation ground is behind Easington Road, It looks like the best way is to turn off the Oxford Roas into Horton View. Go down the road and take second right into St George's Crescent. Possibly park their as apparently parking is difficult. Go to the end of the Crescent and it looks like their is a pathway opposite the end of the road into the rec. This area looks like it is a 1930's housing estate with no garages so expect it to be busy, particularly near the hospital.

Address provided is Easington Rec, Easington Road, Off Horton View Banbury OX16 9HR.

We may decide to double up some cars and go from Vine you have a choice of M40 or the Old Oxford Road into Banbury. Ie the road that goes through Deddington. MEET AT VINE AT 9.10AM AND WE WILL COMBINE CARS!

05.03 - Training 11.45am at Closes

2011-03-04T09:25:00.002Z

No match so lets have a KICK about! everybody welcome, brothers, sisters, dads etc......... have gentle taining and a bit of fun before next week - 11.45am till around 1.00pm

26.02 Match Postponed

2011-02-20T11:32:00.003Z

19.02 Charlbury Town v Cumnor Minors (Win 1-3)

2011-02-19T14:47:00.006Z

A nice trip away to a friendly side on the edge of the Cotswolds. A close game was expected and we were not disappointed.

It was a fairly drizzly day and early on there was water laying on the pitch that the Charlbury team managed to clear before kick off. We started with 11 players this week until about 10 minutes in when we were swelled to 12 when Grant arrived on the back of his dads tandem all the way from Abingdon.

The starting line up included Wills after his recent adventures in deep space with Apollo 46 on his adventures to Mars. George D was missing with mystery sickness and Matthew on holiday with no teeth!

It started closely with Cumnor pushing forward but after 5 mins we were caught by a quick break and a bit of sticky ball syndrome in a muddy goalmouth. The ball evaded Adam after a good block and also our defenders 1-0.

At 7 mins we were closing and Harry put in a good ball into the danger zone in the 6 yard box. The ball then cannoned off a scrambling Charlbury defenders foot sideways for an own goal. A good cross 1-1.

After this Charlbury applied some good pressure with multiple corners but they evaded our net. However, we were one on one with the keeper to get an offside decision against us. That subsequently the linesman apologised for an error!

Somewhere between 7 to 26 mins a tandem arrived with the missing Grant who was gnashing at the bit to get on. He came on shortly before Harry one on one with the keeper made a mad dash and just got their before their advancing keeper and slid the ball in to the bottom right HT 2-1.

In the second half we seemed the stronger team and played a fair proportion of the game in their half. Not withstanding this, we were susceptible to attacks on the break with Adam closing an attacker down one on one who pulled his shot/attempted cross. At 46min Harry got free in their box and performed a delightful lob over the keeper 3-1

Shooting boots also had a chance go close with a delicate bit of skill in the box that ended with a Rooneyesque overhead kick that narrowly missed. However, it has to be said that on two quick breaks we were left wanting for position and even Camerons fast legs could not propel him fast enough to keep up with their players. But Adam played with great positional awareness and made two class leading saves one on one.

Late on Flynn was chasing a cross from Harry in the penalty area, and was out manouvered in the the mire (or did the mire out manouvere Flynn) but had got up and was going for the ball when he was strangely brought down by the keeper for a penalty. Harry stood firm and then did not make the best of the attempt and it was well saved. FT 3-1.

I believe we had the better of the play and were SLIGHTLY quicker to the ball than them which helped. The pitch was big which also helped with the space and our passing. Well done to all the players, Adam, Cam, George M, Grant, Mehmet, Elliott, Wills, Mason, Flynn, Harry, Gareth and Louie. They all played well.

Mehmet was more mobile and played some excellent football, Wills gave us an extra dimension probably after his Apollo mission. Adam stunning in goal BUT overall excellent.

NASA sponsored man of the match and it was justly given to Harry for his wonderful penalty! and also for some .......of his other work.

Well done to Charlbury we always wish you well Thank You.

19.02 Away v Charlbury ( 10.30 KO)

2011-02-18T13:54:00.002Z

View Larger Map

Nineacres, Recreation Ground, Enstone Road, Charlbury OX7 3PQ

I know their is a big gravel car park by/near a shop supermarket?

Meeting at Vine at 9.20 for 9.30 departure arrive at Charlbury 10.00am. Combine cars

12.02 Cumnor Minors v Bicester Town Colts (Loss 1-5)

2011-02-12T15:16:00.004Z

A close game against a well discliplined, organised and hard but fair team.

We were a tiny amount behind them everywhere on the pitch;
Speed to the ball, marking, tackling, drive, organisation, Etc....etc

But, that can be made up over time if we believe in ourselves and have the determination to win the game;

However, the 1st half was roughly 50/50 possession, but they made theirs count. They were more incisive with their chances and defended well and left the pitch at half time after missing a penalty 3-0 up.

In the 2nd Half we changed the positions around and looked more settled and we played with an improved confidence and did not look out of position. The organisation worked for us but after after around 20 minutes of the second half we tired, where as Bicester stayed alive. They scored in the 50th and 55th minute and were 5-0 up until Louie restored some dignity for Cumnor in the last minute. FT 5-1

It has to be said we had two excellent chances., Harry hit a lovely shot from the edge of the box but, it hit the underside of the bar and bounced on the line. Louie had a good chance one on one with the keeper but failed to slide it past the 1st time but made it the 2nd - Well done.

We were very close but so, so far away in the end. The score could have been closer but we need to work harder on fitness and our positional play.

Cameron had a 'Stormin Norman' of a match playing in the last man role and as such was the only contender this week for man of the match. Thats not saying other players did not play well BUT he was outstanding.
Trophy sponsored by Norman Swarzkopf the Gulf war USA general.

Two birthdays this week, Pinky and Perky, lets just say Ian is not pinky and at his age he's not so perky either. Still better than being pinky...................Owen................Wales..............chateaubriand!

Image supplied of Owens birthday present from Angela........Im not sure its appropriate either!

12.02 Home v Bicester Town Colts (KO 11.15am)

2011-02-11T18:28:00.001Z

Sorry for delay in posting please get to Closes for 10.45. There will be parking issues and you should park at cricket club. No set up this week only packing away

Many Thanks

05.02 Banbury Youth v Cumnor Minors (Loss 1-7)

2011-02-05T18:10:00.004Z

After leaving late yesterday and refuelling the vehicle twice on this epic trek, I feel the time zone difference created a bit of jet lag for the players.

Also when we arrived I had to polish my glasses to see over to the other side of the pitch to where the posts were. The longest pitch I have seen and I was not looking forward to walking to the half way line. Missing two of out best players it was always going to be difficult but the boys tried hard.........excuse......5th excuse........41st excuse...etc..etc....70th.............

Anyway the game, a few short words.... under pressure in the1st half we broke fast and after some lovely passing Cam finished off with an excellent finish Cumnor 1 up. Our 1st break our 1st goal all was rosy in the garden.

Then at about 20 mins it was 1-1, then ....1-2..at this time Louie suffered a bruising tackle on the edge of their box and we were awarded a free kick then..1-3.................1-5. HT Then ..... FT 1-7. Although at odd times we did put them under some pressure but mostly it was all Banbury.

Man of the Match sponsored this week by 'The friends of the Titanic' was Mason who came on after starting sub and immediately made an impact in midfield with his closing down and tackling. Well Done, Well deserved Gus Poyet would be proud of you.

Anyway, two Falklands war heros (parents of our boys) commented on how similar the conditions were in the South Atlantic with the wind blowing sideways across the pitch. The only comparison I could make was it was probably the same distance away!

Home next week

05.02 Away to Banbury Town Youth KO 10.30

2011-02-05T12:10:00.002Z

View Larger Map

About 50mins and 35 miles so we need to leave from Oxford latest 9.10am sorry!

We are going to meet at Vine from 9.00am and combine cars!

We need to get to Junction 11 Banbury on the M40. Take A422 Exit to A361 Banbury
Go through 5 roundabouts heading towards A361 Banbury i.e. straight on
At 6 roundabouts turn right on A422 Warwick Road towards Wroxton and Stratford
Follow the A422 towards Wroxton and go over one roundabout and you will enter Wroxton
The road goes left then right.
Look for Horley Park Road on right and ignore, Then a close on right called The Firs
Directly after turn right into un named road Follow Road until Juntion on left, then right
Ground should be at next junction on left very shortly afterwards

POST CODE OX15 6ED Banbury Town Youth FC - Ironstones, Hornton Road, near Wroxton

29.01 Charlton v Cumnor Minors 3rd Rnd Cup (Loss 2-1)

2011-01-30T12:43:00.016Z

I have waited sometime before posting this report to fully digest the game!

A strong 2nd division side who are top of their game and the league who have only conceded 8 or 9 goals

It was 1 degree and the pitch was hard with some give, but in very good overall condition . The referee was doing some stretching exercises prior to the game to warm up.

The 1st half was a very good half with an 11 man starting line up that included, Mehmet in goal, GeorgeD, Cameron, Elliot, Adam, George M, Harry, Gareth, Louie and Flynn. Grant who had a terrific game played as last man against his choice! Charlton were organised well playing with a rigid 4-6 defending line that kept its shape at all times with a fine performance from thier excellent goal keeper (who looked suspiciously like a girl in this boy dominated football) which presumably is the reason for conceading so few goals. Obviously this is a spin off benefit for the use of the feather duster in those far top corners of the rooms/goals!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxCENSOREDXXXXXXXXXXXXX SORRY!

We played well, we passed we tracked and we tackled and we had three to four very good chances with two being cleared directly off the line. They had one good chance that bobbled in our area and Memhet made a good stop. It was a good game of football with the two teams 'ignoring the chances' looking even. Adam tackling and battling in midfield with a heavily strapped leg with Grant at the back we looked pretty secure. Good performances from the whole team with Elliot again making excellent goalfree kicks and showing some confidence now on the ball with good passing. HT0-0

Second half was a different story we changed the team around with Adam changing for Mehmet in goal and we looked out of shape and strangely lost our strength and battling in midfield that Adam provided in the 1st half, which left a big hole. It was left to Grant to 'Hoover' up at the back and keep the scoreline even. (I think theres an Andy Gray joke there somewhere again) Then the game was effectively decided on penalties.

Penalty 1 - Not given a double handed shove in the back on Harry who was protecting the ball for a corner in the Charlton penalty area. I would normally see these given. Then a goal kick was given as Harry fell on the floor he must have knocked it out why falling on it after being pushed over.
0-0 about 40 mins

Penalty 2 - Given to Charlton as Mehmet tried to muscle out a Charlton attacker in the penalty area after the attacker had accelerated past.
1-0 about 44 mins.

Penalty 3 - Given to Charlton after Harry out muscled a Charlton forward using his hands. Adam saved well only to be denied by the follow up.
2-0 About 47 mins

Flynn carried off after a late challenge on the shins outside their box 10 men no free kick.

Penalty 4 - Given to Cumnor after Louie had leg caught accidentally in there penalty area, with Harry succesfully converting.
2-1 About 50 mins

Louie carried off after an accidental step on his heal from behind 9 men About 55 mins

Overall a close game, Charlton are a good friendly side and we were welcomed well by their coaches. There were multiple stoppages for running repairs on Cumnor players. I think this was due to the cold conditions, the hard pitch and some slightly late challenges by Charlton which had no malice in them.

We badly needed some additional players today in these conditions and it was a very close game. Thanks to the boys for their efforts. However, we must remain focused on the game and loose our composure due to decisions possibly going against us we should think with our feet not our mouth, and concentrate on the job in hand. Lets hope we all learn boys and coaches from our small mistakes.

Well done Charlton they have our best wishes in the next round against Tower Hill.

Man of the match given to a worthy recipient Grant sponsored this week by Dyson Hoovers 'patented technology for no loss of suction for girls and boys'. Dyson made us add the boys bit to use their name!

29.01 Away v Charlton & District (KO 10.30 TBA) 3rd Rnd Cup

2011-01-24T15:13:00.007Z

View Larger Map

If you want to look closer at map just go in and use like any normal ggogle map by expanding and dragging around! The A pin is where we are going!

More details to follow when I have away team confirmation

I have still not had any confirmation about the game BUT due to distance suggest we meet aty the Vine at about 9.20 for a 9.30 latest depart as about a 40 minute run.

22.01 Cumnor Minors v Tower Hill (Loss 1-4)

2011-01-22T13:11:00.003Z

No excuses BUT we only had 11 players, 3 fast players out, Matthew no teeth, Cam roaming round Scotland in a kilt and Wills hard at work.

The day started with the cancellation of the referee and Lee was duly appointed (press ganged) to step in.

The game started well enough with Tower Hill having 4 good chances converting one at 25mins. The other 3 were foiled by good goalkeeping, good defending or just plain misses. Cumnor had one good chance just after this from a free kick on the edge of their box, Harry narrowly kicked over the bar. HT 0-1

It has to be said that the defence;
with Mehmet playing well in goal, Grant playing a fantastic role helping out at centre back, Elliot taking great goal kicks, passes etc... Adam playing well on the right with George D following up on the left.
All played with great determination.

The midfield with Mason challenging and attacking, Gareth on the left with George M and Harry worked very hard. Louie and Flynn worked tirelesly up front.

Second half we challenged early on and after a break Flynn was fouled in the penalty area and taken down. Not only was he taken down he ended up being taken off and sat out for about 5 minutes.

Harry finished the penalty well 1-1 35 mins. Following this Tower Hill turned up the heat and we slowed as we were getting tired with no substitutes. goals at 40,48,58 sealed the win for Cumnor sorry Tower Hill.

Overall Tower Hill deserved the victory BUT we are very proud of the hard work the boys put in with the weakened team.

Mentions to Louie up front, Elliot playing strongly, Adam playing outfield well etc..etc... Grant fantastic BUT man of the match to Mehmet who played his 1st full game in goal magnificently, perhaps Mehmet could handle the ball a bit more rather than playing the ball on the ground. Its normal for a goalkeeper to use his hands a bit more or am I just being old fashioned! Man of the match this week sponsored by Bruce Grobellaar.

Thanks to the parents who helped out today particularly Lee who refereed well. It was not an easy game for anybody, also well lined by Ollie Thanks to all.

22.01.11 Home v Tower Hill (KO 10.30am)

2011-01-20T09:24:00.003Z

Please can we be at the ground at at least 10.00am for the boys

For those that are prepared to help set up we of course appreciate your help as last week was excellent and Mark managed to spend a lot of time with the boys.

We will get their by around 9.20am to set up the normal bits and pieces any assistance as always is much appreciated

Out this week is Cam and Wills, Matthew

Please bring your sons if they can walk as usual! Many Thanks

15.01 Cumnor Minors v Stonesfield (Win 8-3)

2011-01-15T12:36:00.002Z

No silly comments, no stupidity, no infantile match reports, so you now know none of the boys write these.

Cam injured ( No legs and one handed) Matthew (No teeth) Elliot (No boots only planks skiing)

The makeshift line up was always going to test us and we started with 10 players. Adam, George D, Mehmet, Grant, George M, Mason, Flynn, Louie, Harry and Gareth.

After 3 mins - Goal Gareth 1-0 FANTASTIC
After 6 mins - 1-1 Break
After 9 mins - 2-1 Failed clearances in the goal mouth
After 15 mins - Goal Louie 2-2 SKILLFUL

Then Wills turned up and with 11 players we looked under less pressure and started to get our shape with some wonderful passing and interplay between midfield and attack. This developed over a period of time as our confidence grew, I had to check we did not have 12 at one point!

After 22 mins - 3-2 Flynn WONDERFUL
After26 mins - 4-2 Harry SUBLIME after a jinking run from Murphy in the box
After 29 mins - 5-2 Wills COOL
After 30 mins HT 5-2

After 33 mins - 6-2 Louie OUT OF THIS WORLD
After 41 mins - 7-2 Louie HAT TRICK
After 48 mins - 7-3 Break and mix ups
After 58 Mins - 8-3 Gareth GOALISSIMO an Eddy Wearing Up and Under

Afer 60 Mins FT 8-3

A fine performance with a lot of players struggling with half injuries. We had numerous chances and either just missed or was stopped by a fine goal keeping performance or last ditch defending.

Congratulations to a fine bunch of boys from Stonesfield for their constant effort and trying a credit to Old Man Dave the Manager.

Old Fat Mark the Manager, Old Fat Ugly Owen the Manager and last but not least Old Fat Ugly and Stupid Ian the manager enjoyed their morning. Thanks also to all the Young attractive parents who helped with setting up etc. THANK YOU

In fact we thought one of the helpers was so handsome, as he was their at the crack of dawn we decided to give his son Shooting Boots Man of the match. It could have been a few players including Louie for his fine skilful Hat Trick. Man of the match this week sponsored by George Clooney.

Thanks lads a fine performance.

15.01 Home v Stonesfield Strikers 10.00am ish KO

2011-01-12T14:48:00.003Z

Dear all as Im sure you are aware we need everybody left standing this week!

Pitch congestion so 10am start

If anyone can help mark up the pitch etc.....etc........etc.......... we will hopefully get some time to prepare the boys. We will get their around 8.50am-9.00am

In the absence of you helping please can we have the boys latest 9.30 please to get them ready

Many Thanks from THE MANAGEMENT

08.01 Ducklington v Cumnor Minors (Loss 5-2)

2011-01-08T17:13:00.012Z

It was a pleasant change from the ice, snow and volcanic eruptions that we have recently been experiencing in the Oxford area. The sun was out on a lovely bowling green of a pitch within a stadium that is only comparable to the Emirates.

Its been that long since a game of football, I think its softened the brain.

I thought we had gone to the wrong ground originally but they had forgotten to turn the sign around on the other side is Ducklington Junior Football Club. Although some of the mud remained from the championships last week particularly in one of the goal mouths.

It was a game of two halfs first half we played up hill against a FORCE 10 gale and in the second half we played down hill and strangley the wind stopped. The gods were against us today but we
fought hard with character and strength and had a very enjoyable game (except for the result).

With 'as always' a strong starting line up we were always going to be under some pressure

Picture taken of the referee just prior to kick off at centre circle

For the start the wind all of a sudden blew up and we were playing uphill. We started well enough and held a good tactical shape but over time the Ducks started to put pressure on us taking advantage of the wind and slope. At 8 minutes they had an attack with Matthew and their attacker one on one on the edge of goal. I thought Matthew had out muscled him but the Mallards' player quite rightly did not give up and tripped Matthew accidentally who fell, leaving the dabbling duck to waddle around Matthew to make a good shot past the diving Adam. Where are referees when you need them?

Elliot (Rodders) made multiple long goal kicks and was probably the player of the match in the 1st half with his defending together with Matthew, George (old man) playing right back instead of left back, together with Mehmet. Multiple corners took their toll with diving ducks having multiple heading opportunities but they did not take advantage of them.

We held strong but over time the pressure from the opposition supported by the wind and slope took its toll. We spent more and more time defending and got deeper in our own half with the expected outcome of two goals from the Quacks at 23 and 26 mins. To be fair the quality of their passing improved in the first half which did not help as well. Just before half time Adam made a terrific one on one save and bar his webbed hands we may have lost a couple more goals. HT 3-0.

At half time we brushed off the loose dirt and took a breather from the cold and wind. Then all of a sudden the wind dropped dramatically in the 5 minute break and I could have sworn it almost changed ends.

We had the benefit of the slope in the 2nd half and the pitch was quite heavy by then. We pressed at their end without probably the final edge but Gareth shot a fine goal at 37 mins and we thought the game might be on. Just as we started getting excited we were caught on the break at 43 mins and the game was effectively over. However, we carried on and tried and never laid down and the players were rewarded with a skillful goal from Louie at 55 Mins but we were again caught on the break at 57 mins. Finally Adam made a fantastic diving save on another one and one and took a ball in the face at short distance whilst groping around in the muddy goal mouth, fantastic commitment. FT 5-2.

My congratulations to the thankless task that Grant (Elvis) and Harry did in the centre of the pond supported by Cam, shooting boots and Mason trying very hard in defense. Thank You. We rolled players on and off constantly which probably did not help the shape of the team but kept its energy levels up.

Duck shooter of the match could only have been Adam. But, both Elliott and Gareth made good passes with Matthew perfoming well in defense. Another game another Duck shooter.

Well done to Ducklington, we also thank the referee for praising the role played by Ollie on the line who suggested he should do a refereeing course. (That will be the end of him then) . Thanks also to the good support, it was a pleasure seeing the old ones as well and to Lynne for the chocolate for the boys. Happy New Year!

Im not saying Im not pleased but it would be nice to.....................

I could not get a picture of a duck so we have a chicken!

08.01 Away v Ducklington (KO 10.30am)

2011-01-04T15:17:00.003Z

Please arrive at 9.45 to 9.55am for a 10.30 KO

View Larger Map

Directions are get A40 to Witney. Turn off on the A415 exit, I think it is 3rd exit on the slip road roundabout towards Standlake.

Take what looks like the 2nd left into Aston Road and park in the school car park. Ducklington Primary School is immediately on right on entry to Aston Road. Park here if possible pitch is around the back!

06.01 Training at Tilsley

2010-12-02T09:20:00.006Z

Back on at 6pm as usual

21.11 Managerial Appointment

2010-11-21T20:18:00.002Z

GOOD NEWS EVERYBODY

After the relevant phsychometric, apptitude, reasoning and good looking tests, at the Rose and Crown it has been agreed that Owen Newman be appointed to the Management of Cumnor U11. The coaches are exceptionally pleased with this appointment particularly after a late challenge from Ray Wilkins for this post. Lets hope re reads the blog so he can accept the position!

20.11 Oxford United v Gillingham

2010-11-21T19:54:00.000Z

As it said in the OUFC programme this week,"GUARD OF HONOUR The successful local Cumnor Minors Football Club celebrates its 50th Centenary this season. The U11 Team wear the mighty OUFC away shirts with 'CMFC 1960' boldly printed. The club, managers and parents are proud of their players who compete in the Witney U11 A League, For ages 6-18 see http://www.cumnorfc.co.uk/

20.11 Cumnor Minors v Charlbury Town (Win 6 -2)

2010-11-20T17:52:00.010Z

An excellent performance probably the most enjoyable of our year.

With Elvis back from his concerts in Liverpool we played a new formation that paid dividends with Grant being pushed further forward, playing Matthew at the back.

The strong midfield featuring Grant in the centre, Gareth on the left and an under the weather Cam on the right. Up front the evergreen Flynn with Harry behind. The rejuvinated defence that had Mehmet on the left, Mason on the right with Elliott and an injured Matthew at the back (who had an excellent performance). Shooting boots playing a defensive midfield/advanced defense. In between the sticks the mighty Adam. Louie came on from the bench with plenty of skill. (Old man was recovering and Wills not attending after being knocked out in rugby at school). It started tightly over the first half...........but over the half we got stronger.

4 mins - Own goal that shooting boots swears blind he scored (in his dreams).
16 mins - Gareth scored a cracking shot in a crowded area
23 mins - Flynn again !
HT3-0
40 mins - Harry ,43 mins - Louie
At 5-0 we probably were a bit over confident and the heavy Cumnor pitch was starting to take its toll.
Two defensive mistakes, we failed to clear and the a mix up with defender and goal keeper with goals at 52 and 56 we looked under pressure and out of shape But a goal at 59min by Harry sealed the game.
FT 6-2

This was a very good performance and we missed a few but on another day Charlbury would have scored a few as well. Early on in the 2nd half they looked quite sharp and they contributed to a good game of football although they probably would not see it quite like that. A pleasure to see a team like this and may we play them lots (if they let us win).

Man of the match was the collective team BUT one has to get it and Gareth for his goal, his determination and his effort Well Done the team can be proud of you.

Our thanks to Tetley tea for sponsoring the man of the match, Lynne sold far more tea than is usual this week Mainly due to to the antics of Mehmets dad Iham, with a cup of tea in one hand he was attempting to kick a ball out from within the net, only to catch his dainty toes within the webbing. Next he was seen doing an unusual example of Strictly Come Dancing (Anne Widecombe style), and amazingly he managed not to spill a drop of tea on the grass at the expense of his head, body, arms in fact everything!

Sorry Iham! (shot as he approached the tea shop for another refill)

Thank you, Thank you etc... to the parents for the amazing help we had today Thank you!!!!!!!!!! It made this week an absolute pleasure and gave us time with the boys. Shame the Oxford match was not as good.

20.11 Home v Charlbury Town (KO 10.30am)

2010-11-16T20:48:00.006Z

We are meeting at Oxford United at the bronze Ox outside the ground at 2pm, We then have to go to the tunnel by the ticket office (Collection and sales) to the right of the main atrium entrance and meet James Patterson. If you are late and we have gone from the Ox go to the ticket office and ask, I will have my mobile if you need to contact!

Dress code is Cumnor tops + Dark blue or black track suit bottoms as it will be cold.

Unfortunately F&Bs booked so leaving at end of game Thanks

Mark and I will be at the ground at the latest 9.15am. If anybody would be available to help it would be much appreciated, then me and Mark should be able to spend some time with the boys for a proper warm up prior to the start together. In addition to this we have to clear up.

Jobs required;

BEFORE : Opening up, marking the pitch, cones out, respect barrier, clearing leaves, tea shop, nets up, referee payment, match cards preparation.

AFTER : respect barrier down, nets down, tea shop away, cones in, club house clear up, Locking up.

We intend putting some bibs maybe over the shirts if allowed to keep them cleaner for the Oxford game in the afternoon. I will email and post the time and place we need to meet for OUFC. I understand we will book F&Bs for after the match. Maybe a change of shirt after the match may be nice when we go in to eat so we can smell the food and not sweaty, dirty bodies! This will also allow the cars to clear.

13.11 Bicester Town Colts v Cumnor Minors (Loss 7-3)

2010-11-13T14:03:00.002Z

We paid our respects to the people who lost their lives in the 1st World War and subsequent wars with one minutes silence.

A well contested game by two fair teams, with respectful parents and managers on both side.

The game was a closely contested game for the majority, but towards the end we lost our concentration and Bicester were rightly rewarded with the result. Although the game was closer than the final scoreline suggested. a very enjoyable 1st half and start to the 2nd but we became tired late on and lost our composure but it was on the whole very enjoyable.

After a close start Flynn picked up on a mistake by their unfortunate goalkeeper on 8 min and this was followed at the other end by a goal at 14min. George was adjudged to have handled in our penalty area and even the Bicester management said it was harsh, after a well taken kick it was 2-1. We then got caught for 3-1 by a light kick that bobbled at the near post to slip under the diving Adam. Flynn then then pounced on another after the keeper parried from Harrys shot. HT 3-2 with the penalty being the deciding factor.

Second half started with another goal from Bicester but Flynn attacked on the break again and made it 4-3 at 50 mins. At this time Bicester looked slightly rattled and we had them defending for the 1st time for a period but following a goal shortly afterwards we lost our ability to close down and looked tired and Bicester capitalised with a futher 2 goals to end up deserved 7-3 winners.

well done to the players;
Adam who had a cracking 2nd half in defense
Cameron who unfortunately took a knock and sat out the majority of the 2nd half
Mehmet who had a solid 2nd half in goal who contributed nothing to the goals they scored
George who played centre back instead of his more recent midfield
Elliot who took excellent goal kicks and I belive continues to move forward
Mason who battled in front of the defense in the 2nd half
Gareth who put some miles in on the right side of midfield a good game
Louie who battled hard and at times showed some excellent football
Harry who floated a lot in the position he was given, gave it his heart
Wills battled hard and came off near the end struggling for breath after his hard work
Matthew had an excellent 1st half at left back and was a contender for man of the match
& finally Flynn who did nothing wrong and scored a hat trick from three half chances.

Finally lets hope Old Man gets better and wish Elvis well on his latest singing tour of Liverpool they were both dearly missed.

No stupid comments or photos this week from the match writer! but the idiot did forget to bring the man of the match trophy. When offered cash or the man of the match trophy Flynn listened to the crackling of the note and smell of the fresh ink and decided at high speed to take the money. Man of the Match this week sponsored clearly by the Bank of Doye. Thanks to Ollie another exemplorary performance on the line.

Well done to both teams an enjoyable encounter that we can improve on in our next meeting.

Close up of Flynns Wads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

06.11 Witney Vikings v Cumnor Minors (Win 2 - 7) 2nd Rd Cup

2010-11-06T13:41:00.008Z

STOP PRESS 2 - Vikings have advised game can be awarded to us and League is ok with this.
Game Abandoned, I know people want to know how the boy was and he has concusion and hopefully will be fine, needs to keep quiet for the rest of the day and hopefully no further complications. .

A lovely day and good parents greeted us for our game against the Vikings. Unfortunately the incident at the end has caused everybody concern.

We played an experimental formation and gave Elvis AKA Grant, the opportunity to play an attacking midfield role and Adam half a game in defense. Starting with 3 at the back and 5 in midfield.

We scored 3 good goals by 12 minutes (Grant 1 and Harry had 2). On the whole Vikings tried hard and made some useful tackles and played some good positional football at times. We were caught on the break to make it 3-1 and then Cam scored for 4-1. After this Witney dug in a bit and were rewarded with a dubious penalty after George D was alleged to have butchered their player in our box. 4-2 at HT.

2nd Half we were rewarded with a penalty Im not sure that was either. Harry scored his hatrick then Grant scored 2 more for his hatrick. FT 7-2

Unfortunately the game ended about 6-8 minutes early due to an unfortunate injury to a Witney player who was concussed after a challenge with Harry. He was exceptionally poorly and we wish him the best, he was immediatley taken to hospital and any futher play would not have changed the result, a good choice by the referee. Other incidents involved two bloody noses for Witney players which is most unusual. I have never seen this before in any matches we have played.

The injuries were probably a reflection of how hard the Witney players tried to close down and battle, at times they looked good and at others they followed the ball about. We compounded the problem at times by being drawn to the ball as well. Probably not the most exciting game to watch but we prevailed.

Special mentions to Grant who got three goals (A well deserved reward for a player who sacrifices his forward presence each week for the team as our resident lightning centre back, he is so good at the back he saves us far more goals than any player could score up front) and Adam who played well in defense but has a most peculiar Praying Mantis style for his headers but they were very effective. A bit like Johnny Wilkinson.

Well done to all including the Vikings, Man of the Match George Butcher Doye for some nice passing, defending and penalties! Sponsored by Butchers Dog Food.

(Picture taken previously of Mark Tillings legs - when he was legless)

If anyone stayed beyond the end of the game they were treated to a pair of frilly nickers and a rare pair of lilly white legs by our resident exhibitionist Mark T. All of a sudden when he took his trousers down their was a blinding light (the sun being refracted from a pair of white legs) and it was at that point I realised that Mark had once again taken them off. Lynne can you ask him to keep his trousers on in future when not in the privacy of you own home.

Our best wishes go to the injured Witney player, get well soon.

Next week Bicester Town Colts Yippee! Lynne can you buy mark some normal underwear please.

06.11 Away v Witney Vikings - Cup KO 10.30

2010-11-02T19:54:00.002Z

View Larger Map

On the way into Witney from the A40 from Oxford take the 1st exit into Witney around where the dual carriageway starts. You need to go over I think two sets of traffic lights. Go past the Griffin Inn on the left and the Carpenters Arms. Past Pensclose on the right then Newland Mill a road on the left. If you then look right you should see a cricket pitch and an entrance on the right to Witney Mills Cricket Club. Go in and park and pitch is over the far side. If you get to the mini roundabout you have gone too far and need to go back.

The address is sketchy it says Oxford Hill on the WDYFL website. It looks like Newland on the map who knows!

Please get their for 9.50am

30.10 Cumnor Minors v Banbury Town Youth (Loss 2 - 7)

2010-10-30T13:28:00.005+01:00

We were running short of players and just prior to the game we had another one out. With only 11 players against a title challenging side it was going to be hard work. The hard work started just before 9 with the set up and finished just before kick off, and then started after the match until 12.30. We will be PRAYING FOR HELP AT THE NEXT HOME GAME as it was just too much this week. The Banbury team turned up at 9.30am and started practising and Jamie provided some help with us marking up the pitches, thank you.

We started well making challenges and closing down and Banbury did not get time to settle but we could not keep this up over the whole game and gradually we gave more and more space and the superior passing of the Banbury team took its toll. Their first goal after 10 minutes was not pretty but they all count and at HT we were 5-0 down. Some good quality forward passing put our defense under pressure as the midfield could not keep that level of running up. We did however have a two or three half chances they had maybe seven or eight but they converted them.

At HT we took stock of the game and prepared ourselves for the second half. In particular we prepared ourself for the colourful language of Jamie the away manager. When I say colourful I dont mean in a swearing way although I understand some of their parents had a few things to say. Apparently he normally enjoys the finer things in life, philosophy and flower arranging were his main priorities. He uses comments like lackadaisical and langourous instead of words normally used, like 'pass and move'. These are redundant in his modern under 11 football world.

After going 6-0 down in the 2nd half a goal from Cam at 45 gave us a sliver of hope! We finally rounded off the 2nd half at 2-2 to retain some dignity. FT 7-2. A good overall spirit and the most important thing was it never changed, we all tried until the final whistle and for that I applaud all the boys. A hard game with players missing but we kept trying.

Man of the match for his effort, commitment and determination plus some useful tackling was Mason (well done). Sponsored by the philosopher Confucious 'Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it' We use this a lot watching U11 football.

Congratulation to Banbury Town Youth . In all seriousness they played well and consistently as a team and the passing was enjoyable, If not the result to us! Wait till we play them next time.

30.10 Home v Banbury Town Youth KO 10.30am

2010-10-26T20:54:00.003+01:00

Please get to ground for 10.00am latest any help appreciated with setting up and taking down as a lot of work for just two. Many Thanks.....

Training and matches

2010-10-18T11:19:00.000+01:00

Training Thursday 21st October - OFF

Saturday 23rd October Training 10.15am Shippon + parents + brothers + sisters + aunties etc.....

Thursday 28th October training half term CANCELLED

17.10 Bampton Town v Cumnor Minors (Win 1 - 2)

2010-10-17T10:21:00.009+01:00

At a packed Bampton stadium where the away fans outnumbered the home fans by 2 to 1 a crowd of at least 20 watched quite a one sided match that the scoreline does not reflect.

Cumnor started off the pressure from the whistle and moved forward into the opositions half but unfortunately the right side of defense left some gaps and after some swinging to clear the ball was punished with an easy goal from Bampton after around 10 mins.

After this we moved up the pitch and camped out largely in their half. Near the end of the half Harry put another one of his excellent inswinging corners into the box only for the Bampton keeper to parry it into his own net. HT 1-1

The second half was mainly Cumnor with the odd break from a defending Bampton and the deadlock was broke when Elliot got hold of the ball deep in the Cumnor half did some skillful interplay between George D back to Elliott who then fed a through ball through the midfielders who then put another ball into Harry who clinically finished. It must not be coincidence that the bast bit of football was rewarded with a goal. FT 1-2.

Not as good a performance as last week, but a win is a win. They did not have many opportunities and the only ones were on the break. Cameron had quite a few opportunities but his 1st touch eluded him, he could have scored 3 or 4 on another day but well done to him for making those chances and being in the right place. However, after a frustrating time with the bar and keeper (or was it barkeeper as in the Rose and Crown) after those close chances had he been drinking! we asked him to tighten up the defense and move to right back. Within three seconds all of a sudden he appeared in the centre forward position trying to get the goal that had escaped him, we all know Cameron likes to be an attacking defender when playing in that position BUT........However, excellent interceptions!

Overall we looked slightly slower than the previous week to the ball but their were good improvements from all of the new players, Mason again tried hard and is looking fitter - I understand he spends his evenings jogging round Shippon - Gareth who works his socks off but needs to get in closer before making his shots - Mehmet who spent a lot of time closing down the opposition was a big improvement on last week and finally Elliott who made a big step forward and was accordingly rewarded with man of the match. This weeks man of the match award kindly sponsored by the old England player Chris Waddle who could always be relied on to score a goal in a World Cup.

We hope that the Bampton goalkeepers fingers are ok after shooting boots fairly challenged him in the box and wish a very nice group of parents the very best. We expect they will get some results as defensively they managed some how to keep the ball out. Good luck for the future and I also hope the fine for having players names on the back of shirts is kept to the minimum. A very good fair referee but we would like to see the game flow a little bit more

16.10 Away v Bampton Town (KO 10.30am)

2010-10-13T15:34:00.001+01:00

Our 1st ever match against Bampton
Bampton Town FC - Bampton Recreation Ground, Buckland Road (west), Bampton

View Larger Map

I hope the map is clear enough in itself

09.10 Away Tower Hill v Cumnor Minors (Loss 5-2)

2010-10-10T10:48:00.009+01:00

At a packed Tower Hill stadium at least 25 parents saw a good match of football from our point of view.

Tower Hill was always going to be a difficult game BUT we started from the whistle for a change, closing them down and not allowing them to play and breaking up their passing.

At 1 minute Louie got the ball in midfield and put a high through ball down the middle which Harry latched on to at great speed and skillfully lobbed the keeper, I have seen lots of those missed. 1-0 Cumnor Giants.

After 10 minutes they were level after their no8 a very quick and skilfull player originated an attack (in fact he probably initiated all thier attacks and finished some). From the edge of the box at 15 minutes Adam got close to saving but just tipped it over his own head for their second. HT 2-1. We matched them throughout the 1st Half and the only difference was thier No8. At half time Tower Hill players were saying they were being harry'd on the ball (I do mean Harry and others) and chopped and closed down and they were not happy. When I did say Harry I particularly remember when a player went by him and Harry did a cynical chop from behind that could have been given a yellow card. The Tower Hill manager said his team had not played well but I feel this was probably because of the pressure we had applied.

Second half and Tower Hill started being harder themseleves and doing little things like moving the ball forward at free kicks when the ref had his back turned, which was very interesting at this age. At 36 mins they scored a good third goal but we still managed to keep our shape and work rate.

At 47 Harry had a free kick from the edge of the box to the right side and performed an excellent inswinger on his left PEG to score. 3-2 and game on. After this the game was forward and back and Tower Hill had a couple of good chances but Louie got his foot to a ball at the edge of the penalty area and had a good shot that just missed the top corner and Tower Hill looked rattled and a bit out of sorts, it could easily have been 3-3. Harry did get involved in a bit of Argy Bargy with the referee which we managed to stifle before the referee reached for his RED card.

From this Tower Hill became the stronger side and gradually moved forward more consistantly and missed a couple of shots and we tired leaving huge space between the midfield and defense loosing our shape after about 52 minutes. They were rewarded for their endeavour and scored twice for 5-2 with goals at 57 and 59 minutes.

A very good performance from what sounds like Harry 'man of the match' and Louie BUT their was far more to this. All get a mention;- Adam strong hands (most of the time), Matthew and Cam excellent at left and right back. Grant sweeping as always and wanting to play further forward (He has my sympathy), Elliott looking better every game and more settled and will use his size in time to good effect. George M played a great role breaking down their attacks and getting forward, I think he covered more ground than he ever has, Midfielders, Flynn great running and defensive tracking, Gareth played his best game for us and is starting to fit in well, Mehmet was good on the ball and at times closed and tracked and I know will get their (if moaned at enough). Wills did not get the breaks on the ball but closed and tackled in midfield, needs a bit more match practice with the team and could potentially achieve anything, Mason came on late on and had his best performance putting himself aboout and closing players down. George D was unwell but came on for 5 mins at the end when the 2 goals were scored, not that Im blaming him - well done.

Overall a good performance doing what we have been trying to get them to do. The Tower Hill coach said we were a decent side and that was coming from a very competitive good team. We are not saying its a one man team but where would they be without their no8. We will get closer to them over the course of the season and we expect they will be challengers for the double again this year. Well down Tower Hill a good test for us and good luck to Peter and the gang, a very good side.

Mention to one of the linesman Ollie who has had two faultless games!

09.10 Away v Tower Hill KO 10.30

2010-10-04T09:53:00.005+01:00

View Larger MapTower Hill FC - West Witney Sports Fields, Burford Road, Witney OX28 0NB

Ignore the A its on the cornerish of Dear Park Road and Burford Road

Sorry for late post I have been away and when I got back we had a power cut and could not do a post on either my pc or my phone. Plus the phone was not working!
Please get there for 10.00am

02.10 Stonesfield Strikers v Cumnor Minors ( Draw 4-4)

2010-10-02T12:19:00.006+01:00

Games that we need to win in this League will come and go and this was one that went. We did the hard work by getting back in the match and then conceded late on for a draw. It did look like we were trying harder in the tackles at times (particularly Elliott the Hatchet), but we must not stand off their players providing them with room to run or pass past us. I believe we are improving..

Overall a good perfromance from Stonesfield which saw them two up after 7 minutes. We started slowly, we need to concentrate from the start as we cannot afford to give sides a 2 goal lead. This lead gave them confidence. If we were 2 goals up I believe they may have not believed in themselves and we would have ended up good winners. Early on although 2 goals down we felt by the play we should end up by getting goals back as the indications were good.

After an excellent cross by Harry they conceded a header into their own goal only for Mason to have a cracking shot in his own net after 12 minutes to increase their lead to 3-1. Flynn promptly scored from a break and then Harry from a penalty at 25 minutes for us to come in at Half Time 3-3. We did have lots of chances though and did hit the post twice.

Second half Harry scored from another penalty at 41 minutes and after this it was faily even with chances at both sets of sticks with Stonesfield hitting our bar. It looked like we would see the game out but after a corner from Stonesfield we tried to take the ball out of our penalty area and beat players, lost the ball and lost a goal. When this deep safety has to be 1st priority.

In fairness Stonesfield had a very quick player up front who did cause us problems and it was an enjoyable contest that finished a draw.

Man of the match sponsored by the Water Company who are promoting the replacement of washers on leaky taps was George Murphy for playing in defensive midfield who was up and down the pitch and made many winning tackles and some nice passes, his 1st time in this position. Harry deserves a good mention for his dogged performance and two excellently struck penalties.

Well done to Stonesfield we hope their season improves from here.A nice group of coaches, parents and boys.

02.10 Away Stonesfield Strikers v Cumnor Minors (KO 9.50am)

2010-09-27T16:20:00.005+01:00

View Larger Map

Go North on the A44 from Pear Tree junction A34, Towards Woodstock. Go through Woodstock and about two miles out of town turn left on B4437 to Charlbury and Stonesfield. About a third of a mile down it looks like road bears sharp right but you kind of go straight on to Stonesfield. About 2 miles down you enter Stonesfield. Take 1st Right into Greenfield Road which then changes into Longore. Take 4th turning on right said to be Field Close where the village hall is and recreation ground.

Please arrive at 9.20am for 9.50 Start

Stonesfield Playing Field, Field Close, off Longore, Stonesfield - No postcode provided.

Matthew unavailable

29.09 Training Wednesday

2010-09-27T09:12:00.000+01:00

Please note Training Wednesday, due to schools not consulting us about their open days!

25.09 Home Cumnor Minors v Ducklington (Loss 1-5)

2010-09-25T12:51:00.000+01:00

We went into this game knowing Ducklington were a good team and are expected to be there at the end of the season. Wherever, there is. We expected good things and knew this would be a step up but believed we had a good chance.

On a lovely morning on a good quality pitch we we played reasonably well. But, they showed the next step of what we need to achieve. The next step involves marking, challenging, tackling and being 1st to the ball. They looked a bit fitter and had that extra sharpness and by doing this did not give us an opportunity to move the ball. In turn due to this extra steel they won the ball and managed to move it with some good quality passing and interplay. Their corners were excellent.

We had some opportunities but they played with the defense high up the pitch constantly squeezing the game forward.

HT 2-0 after goals at 7 and 24 minutes.

We changed to a more adventurous formation after half time as we needed to push the ball up the pitch and to a degree this worked. After 35 minutes they scored but we battled away and we were very pleased to see a goal from Flynn at 47minutes and it was 3-1. They later took advantage of the gaps we left when trying to push forward and ended up worthy winners. FT 5-1.

Overall a very good learning opportunity that we can use to take our game forward. I believe we can all move forward and learn our best formation.We know what we need to do and we were not out classed and even at the end we did not buckle and we did not complain. A great team spirit.

Man of the match sponsored this week by 'Vinny Jones' who is going to be our guest coach over the next few weeks. - Grant Rutherford a sterling performance particularly in the second half. Thanks to Mehmet for stepping up to play in goal with Adams absence.

Thanks Lee for running the line whilst at the same time providing more coaching than me and Mark. Next time you are linesman can you leave the megaphone at home!

Well done Alan, parents and players of Ducklington we look forward to our next match. It WILL be a different game! Thanks to all.........................Next week................

25.09 Cumnor Minors v Ducklington (Home)

2010-09-22T15:56:00.000+01:00

KO is 9.50am due to pitch congestion. Everything is as per email sent in week, match is confirmed as 100% on.

18.09 Away Deddington TC Cheetahs v Cumnor Minors (Win 2-3)

2010-09-19T09:31:00.004+01:00

With a warm welcome from Gerry the Pacemakers manager (sorry Gerry) and a sunny 3/4 pitch (surprisingly good) it was always going to be a difficult match.

Fortunately we got off to a good start with Cheaters fairly well contained and we did not allow them shooting opportunities. We broke twice and Flynn converted two, one on one goals with the keeper to make it 2-0. The later part of the half Cheetahs started pushing forward and started to put us under pressure but we managed to limit their chances. 2-0 HT.

We reformed the defense in the second half and early on after a corner Cameron sneeked one in at their near post. It appeared all their players thought he was crossing it and left the near post exposed, 3-0.

After this it was pressure all the way from Cheaters, three goals down they had nothing to lose and they pushed their midfield further up and were playing with three up front from time to time. They scored one goal mid half and our defense was remastered again. After this we largely held our own and had a couple of chances at the other end and even a follow in by Hand of God Harry, that would have taken us to 4-1 but was disallowed for handball (Harry swears not). The later part of the game Cheaters pushed and we gave more space at the back and they were rewarded with a second goal. We then gainly held on for about four minutes for 3-2 after a certain manager lost his voice trying to add a 5th man to our defense vocally.

During the game Mason got so fed up with the verbal from a manager he got his own back, after him shouting CLEAR he hit the ball as hard as he could from 2 Metres and with pin point accuracy, hit the mouthy coach on the bridge of his glasses. Slightly dazed he was able to see the punch in the air by Mason and all the other players slapping him on the back! no more than he deserved in my eyes, what I can see through them after that.

A gritty performance in the end that was a very good learning experience, Mentions to all, Elliot for his first time playing in midfield in his first game, well done a consumate professional. Flynn scoring two goals out of four on the break. Grant for sweeping up at the back and finally Adam in goal who was very safe and made some brave stops. Well done to all, us parents had a fun morning.

Man of the match Adam sponsored by our local opticions, for a change not because of the referee but due to Mason.

Well done to all and thanks to Gerry and his Pacemakers, his parents and his team. Come on Gerry! We will work on some basics next week which will strengthen our team and reduce the amount of encouragement.

18.09 Away Cumnor Minors v Deddington Town Colts Cheetahs 10.30 KO

2010-09-15T15:53:00.003+01:00

Deddington Town Colts FC, Windmill Centre, Hempton Road, Deddington OX15 0QH

Basically you head up on the Old Banbury Road from Kidlington, turn left at I think traffic lights.
If we want to share some cars we can discuss at training on Thursday to meet at Vine.

Please can you get to the ground before 10.00am - Thank You

11.09 Cumnor Minors v Yarnton Blues (Win 9-4)

2010-09-11T14:17:00.000+01:00

An excellent start to the season for which all us old gits sorry parents are proud of!

The boys did well, they closed down, defended, attacked, passed in fact they even had throws and free kicks. It was a good strong all round performance which had lots of things to please the eye and even my foot!

Goals were a hatrick for Wills - a nice shot in the top corner, 2 for Harry a beautiful header from a corner, 2 for Flynn his usual trickery, 1 for Louie a lovely strike and 1 for Cameron a real hack of a goal that Im not sure it was his or not but he deserved it.

Mentions to Adam, George D, George M and Grant, Plus......later

During the game the passing and moving between midfield and attackers improved, the closing down during the first half and the early part of the second was very good and we did not give them time to play. Overall everyone played their part together as a team and we give congratulations and celebrations to this fact.

We believe everybody deserved a man of the match award. However, we only had one and Cliff Richard our honoury guest gave it to Matthew for his stoic defensive performance, a new position for him that looked very comfortable.

Well done to all especially to the new boys Mehmet, Gareth and Mason - Thank You
On an even more up beat ending Elliott has agreed to join us and we look forward to him joining us next week.

We pass on our appreciation to Yarnton Blues a nice team with good parents and an excellent manager a credit to boys football. We genuinely wish them well.

11.09 Cumnor Minors v Yarnton Blues (KO 11.30am)

2010-09-07T13:50:00.003+01:00

View Larger MapHome game at Closes, Appleton Road, Cumnor. Please arrive at 10.45 to 11.00am as we need to get the boys concentrating before the game and give them a small team talk.

Their may be a lot of cars as Blues playing before plus the U10 and U9 have potentially got games, if you know please park at cricket club.

Wear new kit, we will need a volunteer as linesman and please can parents help after the game with removal of nets, respect barrier and tidying up the club house - Many Thanks

PS. We found out that Matthew kicked himself in the face!!!!!!!!!!!!1

31.08 Friendly Radley v Cumnor Minors (Loss 5-3)

2010-08-31T20:50:00.008+01:00

It was our first friendly against the winners of the OMBL U10 single team league. We were missing Adam our keeper, Wills and Matthew who had his mouth hit just before kick off (I wonder how and why?). We tried to fool all the parents with a fake address for the game but they are better than that. Anyway Matthew get better and thanks for the support! In goal we had Flynns brother Louie.

Famously it was a game of two halves. It was our first game and it almost looked like our 1st game ever. Radley kept attacking and were skipping round us playing hand clapping whilst we watched and enjoyed the show, mesmorised by the intricate angles that they were creating with the ball. They had around seven chances and scored four we crawled up their end once to see a particularly good bout of skipping by their defense. (4-0 half time)

Second half we closed them down largely not allowing their main skipping boys space and did not allow the hand clapping to occur. We were sharper and meaner, the midfield worked harder and did not leave the defense so exposed. When we closed they lost the ball and we passed around them and attacked well. We had more chances than Radley had in the first half and converted three goals only for our stand in goal keeper to badly fumble with a dreadful mistake and let the side down (not mentioning Louies name - if you didnt know it was Flynns brother the one in black with the yellow bib). We looked the much better side in the second half and this bodes well if we can keep it tight and battle in the league. If we can control and pass like this we will achieve good results.

Thanks Louie for your help - we will ring when we need you! - Thanks seriously to all ,the most enjoyable outcome and good learning experience - Thanks to Radley a good group of boys and parents.

26.08 Training at Shippon 6.00 to 7.30pm

2010-08-23T21:56:00.000+01:00

View Larger Map

Please be aware our training is Shippon sports ground - This is near Tilsley Park Abingdon

It is at Cherry Tree Drive, Shippon, If anybody does not know where this is they can call

From Carterton I would suggest heading to Abingdon via Marcham on the A415.
After negotiating the town of Marcham you will get on the straight road heading for Abingdon.

Towards the A34 junction, before on the left their is a turning I think it is the new Faringdon Road heading towards Gozzards Ford and Cothill. Then turn first right into Barrow Road towards Shippon. At the bottom of this road turn left and take 2nd right into Cherry Tree Drive. You will see the large sports field on the left, go to top of Road and park on site.

New Season - New Rules

2010-08-23T21:29:00.004+01:00

11 A side, 30 Minutes each way with linesman, with off side;

OFF SIDE RULE - Stolen from the Blues Site - Thanks Mark

Just in case any of you don't know the off-side rule!

Being in an offiside position

It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position.

A player is in an offside position if:
•he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent

A player is not in an offside position if:
•he is in his own half of the field of play
•he is level with the second last opponent
•he is level with the last two opponents

Commiting an Offside Offence

A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:

•interfering with play
•interfering with an opponent
•gaining an advantage by being in that position

There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
•a goal kick
•a throw-in
•a corner kick

29.06 - 11 a side Friendly at Kingston Colts - Win 5-3

2010-06-27T20:24:00.003+01:00

Overall a pleasing result for our 1st friendly with the invitation players playing well for their 1st outing.

Please get to ground at 6.00pm for around a 6.15pm kick off

The ground is at the junction between the A415 and A420.
The road between Oxford and Swindon on the A420 and Standlake and Abingdon on the A415

When at the junction if coming from Oxford take a left at the roundabout towards Abingdon, Southmoor and Millets Farm. Go over the mini roundabout towards Abingdon and Millets Farm.

When over roundabout the road bears to the left you should see Rectory Road to the right and about 100 yards further on there looks like there is a turn to the Cricket and Football ground which should be the same place!

Players are Mehmet, Matthew B, George D, Adam, George M, Grant, Flynn, Maybe Harry Flynns friend, Matthew C, Harry, Louie, Wills.

Tom and Cameron unavailable. Please wear Cumnor kit or dark shorts and socks.

13.06 - Carterton Tournament - SEMI FINALISTS

2010-06-13T19:52:00.002+01:00

After a good round of tournaments we qualified in some style for the semi finals.

Carterton Colts B 4-0
Carterton 0-0
Tower Hill Stars 0-0
Oxford City Colts 1-0
Garden City A - 1-0
Ardington B 1-0

At the semi final we met Garden City B and went down 2-0 with Adam being carried off after the 2nd goal.
Garden City lost in the final to Ardington A 2-0

Well played Adam, George D, Grant, Harry, Matthew, Flynn, George M.

We also met two very good potential players from Carterton who we hope join us next season. Lets hope they choose us, Memhet (I hope I have spelt his name correctly - wouldnt be the 1st Ive got wrong) looks a bit like Lionel Messi (plays like him too) and Matthew the Managers son from Carterton - FINGERS CROSSED!!!!!

As soon as we get confirmation and their cards we will order next years kit.

THANK YOU ALL YOU ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST! see you next season

05.06 Radley Tournament - RUNNERS UP

2010-06-05T17:50:00.003+01:00

2nd Tournament in 2 Weeks and another 2nd Place

We all thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon BUT we failed to WIN in out HATRICK year - three years in a row, BUT we got to the final and what a final.

BUT WE WERE ALL WINNERS PARENTS AND CHILDREN

What a great tournament and we did not lose a game.

Our results as follows:-
Drayton Wasps 1-0
Eastleigh Whites 1-1 - RINGERS FROM EASTLEIGH
City Colts Dragons 0-0 RINGERS FROM MILTON KEYNES
Blewbury 2-0
Oxford City Colts 0-0
Radley A 1-1 - After Flynn was butchered on the pitch in the oppositions penalty area and sat the rest of the game out. Also Lee was warned by the Ref and Ian uncharacteristically was warned by the same gentleman as well for questioning the colour of his stick and why he only had a toy poodle and not a normal guide.......
Radley B 2-1 - After being 1 down we came back to a draw after a cross from Matthew and a goal from Old Man.Then our RINGER Harry from an unnamed other club scored a cracking goal to go 2-1.

Final against the RINGERS from Eastleigh we were 0-0 after normal time of 5 minutes each way then we went down to 4 outfield players v 4. We had a few chances to win the game but did not manage to get the goal. In extra time Elvis performed a diving header on the goal line to keep out a good shot from the RINGERS that was travelling at some pace. The whole ground clapped for ages. Shortly after we conceded!

I cannot praise our team performance more highly WHAT A TEAM!

Stars were - ADAM - GEORGE D - FLYNN - GRANT - HARRY - MATTHEW - LOUIE PLAYED until 3.30pm but missed the larger part of the excitement but played his part - AND THE MASKED, MAD, MAROUDER, RINGER CALLED HARRY FROM ANOTHER CLUB!!!!!!!

FANTASTIC UNDER 10 FOOTBALL AT ITS BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!

23.05 Charlbury Tournament - RUNNERS UP

2010-05-24T21:34:00.001+01:00

Well done to the team overcame the heat and teams from;
Ardington 1-0
Charlbury 1-0
Chesterton 2-0
Ducklington 0-0

There were 3 leagues and both Ducklington and Cumnor went through to the Semi Finals as they both had exactly the same results.

Semi Final
Charlton and District 1-0

Final
Ducklington 1-2

An excellent tounament and we were 2nd to a good Ducklington team, thanks to the players

Adam
George M - 2 Goals - An excellent penalty!
Grant
George D
Harry - 3 Goals
Flynn - 1 Goal
Matthew

03.05 Presentation Night

2010-05-06T17:09:00.000+01:00

Dear all thanks for supporting the night!

Coaches Player - George (Shooting Boots) for an outstanding defensive contribution

Players Player - Flynn in his 1st season for his drive, determination and dynamic personality

Parents Player - Grant (Elvis) in his 1st season has moved from forward to defense and has improved dramatically throughout the season with strength, determination and drive

Most Improved Player - Cam whos speed and strength seems to increase with every match

Golden boot - Wills and Harry for 15 goals each throughout the season an outstanding contribution to the teams success.

Moments of the season - Tom for playing left back using only his right foot when injured and Adam for his fantastic half way line goal.

Other mentions to our team and congratulations to -

George (Old Man Walcott) for an improvement on being most improved player last season.
Matthew for having the patience of a Saint and from time to time having a sublime touch when on form

Our Thanks to Charlie who leaves us this year due to study commitments who will be missed particularly by his fellow school friends, we hope he continues his football when his work eases

THANKS TO ALL THE PLAYERS FROM MARK, IAN AND ALL THE PARENTS, WE HAVE ENJOYED THE SEASON. WE HAVE PLAYED WITH PRIDE AND WITH SPORTSMANSHIP THAT SHOULD NEVER LEAVE ANY OF US THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES!

27.03 Cumnor Minors v Deddington Town Colt Cheetahs (Win 4-2)

2010-03-27T13:27:00.008Z

The last game of the season and we could not play it on the normal pitch as it was waterlogged.

WE FINISH IN 3RD PLACE OBSCURITY, WE ALL HAVE HAD A LOVELY SEASON AND LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR AT 11 A SIDE!

After making the small pitch as wide as possible we played on that. Both pitches we have are regulation size one the largest possible dimensions the other the smallest possible dimensions.

The management took some light hearted stick from the "Jerry", the Deddington coach. Probably had something to do with the slating we previously gave his pitch. People in glass houses, Pot and kettle come to mind. The one game we play on the postage stamp was this one!

Anyway after last week we returned to normal and the pitch may have suited us better than them. The starting GIANTS were

Adam - In goal good saves one David James moment!
Old Man - Left back one parent said his speed particularly in the seccond game mirrored Theo Walcott
Shooting Boots - Chopper had a very good secure game as usual some nice touches up front in the 2nd game
Cam - Ran like the wind and gave us that extra bit of pace that we were missing last week in defense.
Wills - Was all over the place and his football was good to! Did a good job on their best player and had an enjoyable coming together with their 8th player, their corner flag who won the ball from him on a corner.
Bomber - Somewhat theatrical at times but made challenges and battled like only he can. A TERRY FRYING performance. (Terryfiying I think).
Flynn - Battled and scored tough as boots of old
Matthew - Gave it his all and helped us with 8 players this week well done.

1-0 6 mins good goal from Wills
2-0 18 mins Cam follow in from Harrys challenge on the goal keeper that was headed and Cam flicked in. However, he only realised he had scored after the kick off?
3-0 21 mins A bit of a goal scramble did Harrys boot get to it or did the keeper parry in - we give it to Bomber because if he had not been there it would not have happened wether he scored or not.
3-1 35 mins Bit of a David James or was that the next goal?
4-1 36 mins a speculative charge down by Flynn he then scored from an acute angle, Are all Flynns goals speculative, must be more like skill.
4-2 Late on a goal after some pressing and good passing but not enough closing down.

Overall not the best passing performance but a good battling one, well done a credit to all and I mean that for both teams!

Friendly around 9-0 ish to us. Man of the match Wills sponsored by the Royal Mail maker of small stamps!

Overall we wish Deddington Town Colts Cheaters sorry Cheetahs well. A good 2nd position finish in the league WELL DONE a nice team with a good manager and parents. ( I hope that helps mend some of the comments I made about their field, sorry pitch).

THANKS TO ALL THE BOYS WHO HAVE MADE THIS SEASON THE MOST ENJOYABLE FOR BOTH IAN AND MARK WE ARE PROUD OF ALL YOUR EFFORT AND YOUR PLAY- WELL DONE, V GOOD, HIP HIP ETC.......

PS Next time I leave the ground I really must put the tailgate up as all our kit and belongings were spread across the road into cumnor!!!! If anybody sees a pink jump suit with light blue bells on, around the roads in Cumnor, let me know I might know the owner!

27.03 Cumnor Minors v Deddington Town Colts Cheaters 10.30 KO

2010-03-24T19:43:00.002Z

At home, we need a ref etc ....... help etc.......... some players...... see you their!

20.03 Cumnor Minors v Launton Boys (Loss 2-4)

2010-03-20T13:38:00.001Z

A short match report as we have not a lot to say!

Starting Adam, Old Man, Shooting boots, Tom, Harry, Wills and Flynn.

Started ok, some nice interplay and passing for the 1st goal followed by a fairly easy tap in by Will on 8 mins. Over the whole game we did not see enough of this passing that made the 1st opportunity possible.
They broke and we didnt clear when we had the opportunity HT 1-1.

Matthew and Charlie on at HT

Flynn scored another speculative goal again - So that means they cant be speculative! and we were 2-1 at 21 mins.We did not close down fast enough and were punished by a goal 2-2 at 26 mins

We then had a comming together in the other teams penalty area which resulted in Harry and Flynn being carried off. We were then muscled out of the game going 3-2 down at 33 mins and 4-2 down on 40 mins. FT 2-4.

We really must make our challenges in future and not be scared of a challenge, George M played well at the back, Harry, Flynn and Wills battled well. But when Harry and Flynn departed we looked short on challenges and were rewarded with a loss.

Well done to Launton who we understand played one of their best games of the season.They certainly battled and over the whole match deserved the victory.

Man of the match for his battling performance against players at least 8 times his size was Flynn. Sponsored by Rennie "Melts away the misery of bad indigestion"

Dont be downhearted there always is another game!!!!!!