07-05-2017                         CUMNOR MINORS  4  v  MARSTON U18s  3


After the disappointment of missing out on the league winners or runners up position in our last game two weeks ago, so knowing this was our FINAL game the boys not only wanted to bow out on high but they very much had pride to play for.................

LINE UP:-                                                   ADAM
                                       HARRY C   NATHAN    CAM  MEHMET  
                                                                 HARRY TH
                                          JAMES        GEORGE       HARRY Ti 
                                                        ELIOT           DOM

The boys started the match really well and were on the front foot from the off having plenty of possession and were looking to take an early advantage of the Brookes slope...but unfortunately against the run of play it was Marston who got the first goal when HARRY Ti was adjudged to have handled the ball....the Marston forward despatched the pen and they were one up(7mins),three minutes later and Cumnor had their equaliser when ELIOT was bundled down by the goalkeeper and HARRY Ti calmly slotted the ball home from the spot(hole), the game was now going from end to end with both teams trying to create chances and when Cumnor won a free kick on the halfway line the Marston defence probably didn't think they had to worry!!!MEHMET had other ideas when he simply lobbed the Marston keeper from there! WHAT A GOAL!!!!!and it was 2-1 to the mighty Minors, ELIOT then went close when lobbing the keeper after getting onto a great through ball from HARRY C and ADAM (yes adam) was so close to scoring when direct from a goal kick9from hands) when his kick bounced over the Marston keeper but just went past the post by inches, Cumnor then held on to halftime after defending well a flurry on corners and came off pitch well pleased their first half efforts HT 2-1.
With no changes to the Cumnor line up for the start of the second half (probably cus we didn't have any subs...again!)the boys were really going to have to work hard to keep their lead and the concentration level was going to be high ...and as expected Marston came out of the blocks quickly and Cumnor were doing some great defending with NATHAN again playing through the pain barrier and stopping everything, CAM commanding yet again in his defensive duties, MEHMET playing his usual no nonsense football and HARRY C holding firm and having a really great game with ADAM solid and totally in command of his area,with HARRY Th getting stuck into everything in the middle JAMES running around giving the Marston players no time on the ball and GEORGE working, working and more working in the midfield, HARRY Ti was also trying his best to break down the Marston wall on the left wing, DOM playing like we know DOM can play with loads of positive energy and ELIOT up front totally running his socks off....with a combination of all these things the boys got the reward they deserved when HARRY Ti was fouled in the box and smash home the resulting penalty for a 3-1 lead to Cumnor, with still 30 minutes left to play Marston then pulled a goal back when award yet another penalty... 2-3!!!hard work and total commitment continued from the Cumnor players and DOM went close when heading just past the post from a great HARRY Ti cross and with ten minutes remaining ELIOT then pounced on a short back pass and fired home......4-2 Cumnor, Marston then scored a goal with two minutes left to play BUT the Cumnor boys held firm to claim a fantastic win and a amazing team performance...FT 4-3.

 What a game and what a way to finish.....on our final game, massive credit to all the boys who played and gave 100% throughout the whole match, they all were men of the match and all deserve lots of praise..... I was and am very proud of them all.....as always

n.b A very emotional game for me and after being the Cumnor coach/Manager for the past 10 years(over 200 games and 350 training sessions ) it has been fun and enjoyable with lots of great memories to treasure of which I will never forget.....thanks to everyone of the players and the parents for there support throughout the past years especially to Adam/ Richard Bradley, George/Adrian Murphy and Cameron/Andy Stevens all of whom have been there from day one and have always been positive in their support of me and the team no matter what.........

..........and finally a very very big thank you to Harry and Lynne Tilling for always being there.... and I mean ALWAYS being there xx

to all.............MARK

 

(pics to follow soon)

                                          
 

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23-04-17                              CHARLBURY  4  v  CUMNOR  0

Four weeks without a match and again struggling for a full strength squad, the Cumnor boys turned up hoping to turn in a good performance and give their all against a team still vying for top/2nd possition.

Playing 4-1-4-1 formation Cumnor started the game well and were on the front foot from the very start, but found themselves a goal behind with Charlbury's first attack of the game when there forward ran through the Cumnor defence like a knife through butter!!Cumnor kept going forward and had the lions share of the ball without creating any real clear cut chances, JOEL went close when lobbing the keeper but it was cleared of the line and HARRY Till was causing the Charlbury defence problems down the left flank with some great runs, but again it was Chatlbury who got the next goal when Cumnor failed to clear the ball and it ended up in the back of their net, the boys were still giving their all and were very much still in the game when the halftime whistle blew ( to say the game was played in good spirit would be an understatement ......it was 40 minutes before the ref gave the first free kick!!) HT 2-0.
After the halftime discussions the boys came out more than ever determined to turn the game around but again five minutes later found themselves conceding..to a well taken goal from Charlbury forward,10 minutes later in was 4-0 and realistically game over....into the final 30 minutes of the game and this was going to be a real test of character for all the boys( lots of teams would have dropped their heads and given up, NOT the Cumnor boys) they kept going forward looking to somehow get back into the match, HARRY Till fired a free kick just wide, DOM fired a shot inches wide, JOEL had a lopping header just go over, CAM had a shot well saved by the GK and NATHAN glanced a header just wide from a corner, at the other end ADAM was making his usual great shot stopping and the defence of HARRY C,MEHMET,ELIOT/CAM and NATHAN were all standing firm, with GEORGE,  HARRY Tho. HARRY Till still trying to create in the midfield and OSMAN doing his best by chasing everything down... but time ran out and the Cumnor boys (young men) had lost the match.... FT 4-0.

The scoreline doesn't really reflect the game, YES Charlbury probably deserved to win BUT by four goals!!!!!maybe NOT........credit must go to all to each and every player for not giving up and trying their very best throughout.

The ref spoke to me after the game, telling me that after all the years of refereeing that was the best under 18s game for attitude and sportsmanship ever...credit to all for that.

Also Charlbury ended up winning the league by defeating us as Hook Norton beat Chalgrove....a big well done to them

Men of the match:- HARRY Till (1st half) continuous running......ADAM(2nd half) great saves

Finishing 3rd in this very competitive league is a fantastic achievement by all losing key players were a big blow for all of us but with great team spirit and 100% effort these young men have been absolutely outstanding...well done.

nuff sed!!!!

 

cheers Mark

 

 

 

26-03-17                                           CUMNOR 0  v  CHALGROVE 5

After the disappointment of last weeks result the Cumnor boys where looking to bounce back quickly, but yet again for the umpteenth time in a row we lack players through injuries etc

The top of the table clash began with Cumnor kicking down the Brookes slope and trying to take advantage of the wind behind them, but it was Chalgrove who got the early breakthrough when a ball over the top from a goalkick found it's way into the Cumnor net, five minutes later the boys found themselves two down and now they were really up against it (15 mins), playing a 4-1-4-1 formation they did start to get control of the midfield and came close to pulling back a goal with a couple of good chances but unfortunately the goal didn't come and the boys trudged of at HT behind but very much still in  the game.
A quick team talk and the boys decided they wanted to go for it and go 4-4-2, from the off they were looking more dangerous upfront but again without getting that vital goal which would have very much brought them back into the game, instead they went three down when again they were caught out by a ball over the top, frustratingly both the management and boys didn't think all was lost and still could fight their way back into the game,with ELIOT,HARRY Till,JOEL and DOM all going close but it didn't happen and two more goals from Chalgrove put pay to any thoughts of a dramatic fight back....FT 0-5.

Not the result everybody wanted but know one can knock the effort and non stop running from all the players, praise to them all for never giving up two early goals conseeded lots of teams would have givin up but not these lads, with two games left there is still all to play for.

Men of the match:- CAM for some great last ditch tackling a HARRY Thomas for a great first half performance in the CDM position

special mention to HARRY Tilling for keeping calm all game!!!and ANDY Stevens for managing to recover from concussion before KO....caused by his son!!!!

cheers Mark and Happy mothers Day to all my female readers who are Mums

 

19-03-17                          BLEWBURY  2  v  CUMNOR  0

Another sunday and another difficult game against Blewbury, verses the opposition the wind and a very dodgy pitch!!!

The game never really got into any rhythm with both teams struggling to get any control, the conditions were obviously not helping and it wasn't until 20 minutes before Blewbury had a half chance to break the deadlock, trying to carve out chances the Cumnor boys were still doing their best only a free kick from HARRY Till nearly found its way into the net but the keeper just manage to hold on to the ball at the second attempt..a very forgettable half came to an end and it was goal -less!!
The second half and Cumnor were hoping to take advantage of the wind behind them, but more frustration and not managing to string more than 3 passes together didn't help their cause, after some strong defensive work from CAM,ELIOT,ADAM and JAMES Cumnor were finally breached when after a succession of corners one finally found its way in through a Blewbury header, but with 20 minutes left Cumnor had to up their game and take some chances, but before they knew it they were two down when a Blewbury player turned and fired in from just outside the area.....the rest of the game the boys huffed and puffed trying their best to get back into the game, but unfortunately without any luck or breaks of the ball the game ended in defeat for the boys...FT 2-0.

I think we just take this one on the chin and walk away, do not want to criticise anybody's efforts as yet again no one gave up and kept giving their all to the final whistle, it was just one of those days.....luckily we don't have to many of them.

Men of the Match:- CAM and ELIOT both sound have been on the winning side
special mention to OSMAN who's work rate was exceptional

cheers Mark

12-03-2017                    CUMNOR MINORS  2 v  HOOK NORTON 1

Another sunday and another morning call to inform me that the pitch is unplayable!!!

Anyway we played at home v Hook Norton U18s playing on the footy/rugby pitch! and again with absentees missing from our starting line-up, but the boys were still determined to (as always)to give 100%

Cumnor started the match well and had an early chance when HARRY Till lobbed the ball over the keeper and bar, ELIOT then went close when  heading just over from a corner, both teams were doing their best to break down some resolute defending but both defences were standing firm and chances were of a few, all players from the Cumnor team were putting in a shift, with, GEORGE, HARRY Th.HARRY Till and HARRY C trying their best to create chances from the midfield but as the half-time whistle went it was stalemate 0-0 @ HT.
The second half started very much like the first with both teams putting in a real shift, eventually there was a goal... when a through ball alluded the Cumnor defence and the HK forward finished well to give his side the lead(53mins)0-1, BUT as normal the Cumnor boys never ever give up and three minutes later from a goalkick HARRY Till smashed the ball back into the net from the HALFWAY LINE!! (what a great goal),........these boys never fail to amaze me and were now looking to win the game, DOM picked the ball up from a throw in and in the blink of an eye turned and fired over the keeper from fully 30 yards out ( again,what a goal), now 2-1 up and with 20 minutes still left play the boys were going to have to battle and defend for their lives, CAM, ELIOT, NATHAN and JAMES did this brilliantly and when ADAM made a absolutely fantastic save and HK hit the post surely the boys were going to hang on,with JOEL chasing everything upfront and doing his very best to hold the ball up and OSMAN coming on to add support to the midfield.....the final whistle finally sounded and yet again the boys had won a hard fought match FT 2-1.

I am running out of great things and high praise for these boys, asked to give everything, they turn up each and every week and do so,...great team work great attitude = great results....FANTASTIC

Man of the Match :- ELIOT for great defending and teamwork( and giving up refereeing a cup final to play for us today) and JAMES for always being in the right place and never panicking under pressure

special mentions to, ADAM,CAM,NATHAN,GEORGE,HARRY Till,JOEL,DOM,HARRY C,HARRY Tho,and OSMAN...all of whom played their part in this great victory.

 

 

cheers Mark

 

26-02-2017                           HOOK NORTON U18S  1  v  CUMNOR MINORS U17S  3

Four weeks have come and gone since our last game and today we travelled to Hook Norton again with key players missing this was going to be a test not only against the opposition but the playing against adverse conditions!

Cumnor started the game well and were on the front foot but without creating any real clear cut chances a shot from HARRY Till went just wide and DOM headed just past the post from a corner, HN were slowly getting more and more into the game and CAM had to make a last ditch tackle (one of many he made)to save a chance on goal, then suddenly from know where HN had the lead when a cross come shot flew over ADAMS head and in, 0-1 after 22 minutes Cumnor where now starting to look venerable and ADAM was called upon to make a great last man save and it was all hands to the pumps to try and go in at halftime still in the match,all defenders DOM,CAM,MEHMET and NATHAN/HARRY Th did a great job and at half-time it was 1-0.

A change around of personnel and the Cumnor boys came out for the second half looking more confident Hook Norton again went close but while it was only one-nil the boys were always still in it and GEORGE,HARRY C,HARRY Till and JAMES were trying to create chances for the front two and when GEORGE then put a through ball to DOM he battled his way through the HK defence and forced the ball over the line for the equaliser, with still 25 minutes of the match remaining,the game now was suddenly in the balance and with HK over hitting the ball with no help from the wind behind them JOEL dribbled his way into the area and then got tripped up  ..PENALTY to   Cumnor! HARRY Till then did what he does best and lash the ball into the back of the net from the spot, 2-1 to Cumnor and with 15minutes left this was going to be hard work to hang onto.Hook Norton were then awarded a penalty themselves BUT this one was smashed against the underside of the bar and  then was cleared, Cumnor then rounded of a another fantastic spirited performance when DOM ran through on goal and sublimely lobbed the keeper for 3-1 ....FT.

 

Never giving up,never dropping heads,never blaming others and great teamwork all added up to yet again another superb team performance.....WELL DONE ALL...FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC!!

 

Man of the Match:- CAM for a match winning performance at the back

special mentions to DOM for 2 great goals and NATHAN for a solid game at the back

 

 

ABOVE 

Heather,Lynne and Fiona celebrate Cumnors great victory!!!!!!!!!!

 

cheers Mark

29th January  2017                                      Cumnor 3-1 Hinksey

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

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

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

Men of the match-

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

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

Written by Eliot Thomas

 

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

 

                                 Pompey's Conor Chaplin celebrates Cumnors great win