11.09 Benson v Cumnor Minors (Win 1-2)

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.