Tournaments

We are considering playing a number of number of tournaments during the spring and summer and these are the favourites so far.

Cholsey   Sat 26 May   5 aside
Crowmarsh  Sun 3 June  5 a side
Radley  Sun 17 June  6 a side
Kidlington  Sun 24 June  11 a side

We do need an idea of who is available for these before we book. Please let me know via  the management or text/call my mobile on 07785 746756.

Friendly on April 29th

Cumnor Minors U15s have invited us to play a friendly on April 29th at Midday.

It should be another good game against one of the top under 15s in the league. 

If you want to play please let me know via the management or text/call my mobile on 07785 746756.

No training on Tuesday

Posted Tue 20th Mar:
No training tonight as it's the end of the season. We will be moving towards our summer sessions on Sundays. Any feedback regarding timing and location would be gratefully received.

CM V Radley Youth

18th March 2012   Result 4-2  HT 2-1

Scorers for CM: Robbie Catling   Obaida Mohamedi   Jamie Smith   Leo Branica

This was the last game of the season and a local derby meant this was bound to be an interesting match.

We started in our usual way, constantly bombarding their goal but failing to score with this time, Leo, Jamie, Max and Jake all missing out.

It took Robbie to get the first goal after 25 minutes when their keeper passed to a defender. Robbie took the ball off him and began bearing down on the gaol. Ignoring my cries of 'don't shoot!' he shot to the left side of the goal giving their keeper no chance.

Following more attacks Obaida used his tremendous speed to take the ball from a long forward pass and shoot into the lower left side of the goal meaning we were 2-0 up.

We got a little complacent and allowed Radley to pull one back shortly before half time with a well taken goal by Josh McGowan shooting from inside the penalty area.

Pete's half time talk centred around maintaining the work rate, not dwelling on the ball and making sure we didn't allow Radley back into the game.

The first 15 minutes of the second half were pretty even, Radley had the tails up and were searching for an equaliser and we desperate to get our two goal lead back. Connor made an excellent point blank save from their striker to deny them what looked like a certain goal. Max and Jamie both went close with long range shots

Jamie was causing havoc to their defence and got his reward when he was pushed in the back in the penalty area. He scored from the resulting penalty with the calm assurance only generally seen in the Premier League.

This meant we were 3-1 up and with 10 minutes to play, Pete made the brave decision to bring off Jack for Leo and play three at the back. He was rewarded almost immediately when some great interpaasing between Obaida and Leo led to Leo scoring his first goal of the season to great cheers all round.

Radley got their second with three minutes left when a well taken cross allowed Jason Black to head home.
Man of the Match goes to Charlie Bennett for another consistent good game in central defence.

It was a very good result for us against a well organised and managed Radley team and fitting end to a successful season.

Next game home to Radley Youth

Posted Wed 14th Mar
Our final league game is home against Radley Youth on Sunday 18th March at the Closes, kick off 2pm. Please be there by 1.15pm for this vital game.

Training on Tuesday 13th March

Posted Mon 12th Mar:
We are training as usual on Tuesday, 7pm at Fogwell Road ahead of our last league game of the season on Sunday.

CM v Deddington Town

11th March 2012   Result 3-3  HT 2-1

Scorers for CM: Jamie Smith   Max Robson   Obaida Mohamedi

This was a morning kick off and the game began in glorious sunshine.

It soon settled into a good even match with both sides playing some quality football.

Jamie broke the deadlock after 20 minutes scoring directly from a corner with his looping cross going over the goalkeeper's outstretched arms.

Deddington levelled the score ten minutes later with a shot following a breakaway giving Connor no chance.

They then took the lead shortly before half time scrambling the ball into the net. There was a suspicion of handball and unfortunately Ben was yellow carded and Charlie sent off for remarks said to the referee.

Deddington manager, Barry Grant, spoke to the ref at half time and he graciously allowed us replace Charlie with another player to keep the numbers even. This was a great piece of sportsmanship on Barry's part.

Pete concentrated on the football aspect in his half time talk praising the lads' effort and asking Robbie and Obaida to go wide when we were on the attack to stretch their defence.

This tactic worked well in the second half and we spent large portions of the game in their half limiting Deddington to breakaway chances.

We were rewarded with the equaliser after 60 minutes with a strong shot 10 yards out from Max Robson. 

We continued to go for the winner and got a goal after 70 minutes when Joff slipped the ball to Obaida in the penalty area and his left foot shot hit the net from 5 yards out.

It looked like we were going to celebrate an unexpected victory but with only 2 minutes left to play Deddington equalised with a good shot 12 yards out from their number 5 on another breakaway move.

It was an excellent draw for us against the 2nd placed team in the B league and everyone again played their part. Connor had another great game and as Westy remarked, kept us in the game in the first half with some spectacular saves. The defence was resolute against a fast and well organised attack and could do little about the goals conceded. Midfield and attack played some excellent passing football and on another day would have scored more goals.

Man of the Match goes to Obaida for a tireless performance on the right wing.

The linesman was fantastic although not quite as  professional as Nick Penfold who was too ill to fulfil the role today.

Friendly v Deddington Town FC Sunday 11th March

Posted Wed 7th Mar:

The kick off for our friendly against Deddington Town FC is 10.30am at Fewcott Road, Fritwell. OX27 7QA People may remember it from our pre-season game. Please be there for 10am.

For those wanting a lift to and from the ground we will be leaving Elms Parade at 9.30am. Please let us know so we can make sure there are enough spaces.

This is an informal game so friends of the club are welcome to play.

Club fundraising night out on Saturday 24th March

Cumnor Minors club have organised a fundraising night out on Saturday 24th March at Cumnor Village Hall. It features the 'locally acclaimed' Giffords who promise a variety show for all the family. It starts at 7.30pm and tickets are a mere £6 for adults and £4 for children. There is a licenced bar and all proceeds will go to the club. Please contact the management for more details and tickets.

Training on Tuesday 7th March

Posted Mon 5th Mar:

We will be training as usual at 7pm on Tuesday at Fogwell Road.

CM v Northway

4th March 2012   Result 1-3  HT 0-1

Scorer for CM: Robbie Catling, for Northway: Jordan Jennings (2) Jake Smart

At midday it looked as if the game would be called off with the snow beating down. Both teams were keen to play so the referee deferred his decision for an hour. He was right and although the pitch was muddy the weather improved sufficiently for it to be a reasonable surface.

We started the brighter of the two teams and were unlucky not to go ahead in the first few minutes. The game settled down into a good even battle with both sides creating chances with Obaida, Robbie, Conrad and Ben E all going close for us. Northway broke the deadlock with a freakish goal after 30 minutes. A cross from the left byline was taken hold by the wind and drifted it into the goal taking everyone by surprise. Their player claimed it was deliberate but no-one from their side believed him - nor us.

This meant the first half ended 0-1. A good performance from our team against the wind.

The second half carried on in much the same way with both teams playing good creative football, although as legs got tired in the muddy conditions Northway began to threaten more.

Connor made one of the best saves you are likely to see in youth football when he tipped a screaming shot from their striker, Andrew Collier, onto the crossbar. Andrew even took the trouble to congratulate Connor on his save which was a nice touch.

Northway scored their second with twelve minutes to go, a scrambled goal following a corner.

We still pressed for a goal but Northway increased their lead seven minutes later with a good low shot from six yards out.

At last we got our deserved goal just before the final whistle when Robbie took his chance and shot low to the keeper's left.

Although we lost 1-3 it was probably among our best performances of the season against one of the top teams in the entire Under 16s league. It is easy to see why they have comfortably won every one of their league games and are in the semi finals of the Oxfordshire Cup.

The game was played in good spirits and all players enjoyed the match. Nick Penfold was as usual an excellent linesman, even noticing when a throw-in didn't go onto the pitch much to the surprise of the referee. 

Everyone played their part so man of the match is a joint award to: Connor, Westy, Ben W, Charlie, Jack, Conrad, Jim, Jake, Obaida, Robbie, Ben E, Leo, Joff, Cameron and Nick. Well done to all.

Next game home to Northway

Posted Thurs 1st March
Our next game is on Sunday 4th March at home to top of the table, Northway, kick off 2pm. Please be there at 1pm to warm up for this major fixture.

Update Sun 4th March
Despite the rain, snow and cold the game is still on!