27.11 Cumnor Minors v Benson (Win 4-1)

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.