Next game away to Abingdon Utd U16s

Our next game is a friendly away against Abingdon United Under 16s. Kick off is 6.30pm on Thursday 1st November.
Their ground is at Northcourt Road, Abingdon OX14 1PL.
Players are to be at the ground by 5.45pm so they are warming up by 6pm.

Abingdon United are top of the OIYL A league so it promises to be a good match.

All family and friends of the club are very welcome to come along.

Training on Thursday at Tilsley

We are training as usual, 7pm on Thursday 25th October at Tilsley Park.
We don't have a match this Sunday but there is a friendly arranged for the following Thursday evening.

Friendly v Abingdon Utd U16s

We've arranged a friendly against Abingdon Untied Under 16 side, kick off 6.30pm on Thursday 1st November. This will be at Abingdon's ground and details to follow.

Training on Thursday at Tilsley

We are training as usual, 7pm on Thursday 18th October at Tilsley Park.
There isn't a match for us until 11th November so we are trying to arrange a friendly in the meantime. There may be a game on a Thursday evening and any news will be posted on here first.

CM v Summertown Stars U18s

14th October   Home   Result 3-4 after extra time   Half time 1-3   Full time 3-3
Scorers for CM:   Cameron Criag (2)   Conrad Deer

It was again excellent conditions for this OIYL cup game in warm autumn sunshine.
The game started at a fast pace with Summertown's first attack hitting the crossbar from a shot just inside the penalty area.
Summertown took the lead after 15 minutes with a strong shot from the right low to our keeper's right giving him no chance.
We fought back well and after 23 minutes Conrad Deer scored with one of his trademark looping shots, this time from the left.
Both sides then created chances but it was Summertown who re-took the lead after 28 minutes following a mix up in the penalty area from a corner on the right.
There followed more Cumnor chances with Conrad, Jamie and Robbie all going close.  Summertown had their share too and it took an amazing last ditch piece of defending from Ben Whitehead to save what looked like a certain goal.
Summertown however increased their lead when a corner from the left seemed to loop directly in to the net.
This meant the half finished 3-1 to Summertown and many felt Cumnor had a tough job ahead of them.
Pete's half time talk reminded all that it was not beyond the team and with some some resolute defending and bite in midfield we could get back in the game.
With these words of advice we started the second half strongly and got a goal back after 62 minutes when Cameron Craig shot home following a diagonal cross from Robbie Catling.
This spurred us on further and it was Cameron Craig again who got the equaliser after 70 minutes with another well taken shot following a through ball from Jack Bowler (I think).
At 3-3 we thought we had the game in the bag but Summertown dug deep and forced two excellent saves from Kane Slaymaker. We also had our chances but the 90 minutes finished at 3-3.
This meant 30 minutes of extra time and the possibility of penalties.
The first half of extra time was evenly matched with both sides going close but neither breaking the deadlock.
The second half continued much the same as the first with some excellent football by both sets of players. It was Summertown who got the goal following a Rory deLap style throw from the right which was bundled in the net.
Cumnor frantically searched for the equaliser with Conrad going close and Jake forcing an excellent fingertip save by their keeper from a 25 yard free kick. Summertown were dangerous on the break hitting the post and denied by a great save from Kane with a fierce shot to his right. Towards the end we threw everyone forward including Kane and again Ben Whitehead nearly scored with a header going just wide. We had more chances and Daniel West's header struck the keeper's shoulder when it  seemed destined to go in. 
It was Summertown who hung on to their lead and breathed a massive sigh of relief when the referee blew for the end of the match 
The referee, Tim Siret, had a pretty good game letting the players know the reasons behind his decisions even if they didn't always agree with the assessment.The linesman for Cumnor should have chatted less with the Summertown management and perhaps he would have done a better job of keeping up with the action.
Despite being very competitive, the game was played in good spirit by both sets of players and it was a great advert for youth football. A neutral spectator would have thoroughly enjoyed the game but it was perhaps rather too much an emotional roller coaster for those involved with either club. Congratulations to Summertown and I hope they progress well in the cup.
Cumnor Man of the Match goes to Cameron Craig for his two well taken goals and tireless running throughout the game.

Next game at home to Summertown Stars U18

Our next game is a OIYL Cup game at home on Sunday 14th October against Summertown Stars U18s with a kick off at 2pm. We will be playing at The Closes. Players please be there at 1.15pm for this interesting tie.

Berks and Bucks FA County Youth Cup

We are entered in this cup.
We were given 21st October as the date for the first round but it seems as if it is now Sunday 25th November.
Here's a link to the relevant web site that gives the first set of fixtures - listed as 2nd Round (and in all other rounds!)
Berks and Bucks County Youth Cup
The web site is confusing to say the least but if you press the + at 'cup entry list' we appear to have a bye into the next round whatever and whenever that is.
I'll keep an eye on the website and I'll also let you all know if I hear anything.

Training on Thursday at Tilsley

You will not be shocked to learn we are training 7pm sharp on Thursday 11th October at Tilsley Park.
This is ahead of our OIMYL Cup game against Summertown Stars Under 18s, kick off 2pm on Sunday 14th October at The Closes

CM v Grove Rangers

7th October  Home  Result 6-2   Half time 3-1

Scorers for Cumnor Minors: Conrad Deer (3)    Robbie Catling (2)    Jim Whitelock

The conditions were excellent for a game between the only two teams in the division with 100% records, both having won their first four games.

It was a great start for us and after just 5 minutes we took the lead with a strike from the left by Robbie Catling.

Grove equalised ten minutes later with a well taken shot low to the left by Ollie Webb gave Jake no chance.

We re-took the lead when Robbie got his second goal after 20 minutes.  Conrad Deer added a third after 35 minutes when he was put through by perfectly weighted ball from Obaida Mohamedi

This meant the half finished with us leading 3-1

Pete's half time talk reminded the players not to be too complacent and to expect a strong fight back from Grove.

The game proved to be tough but we added to our lead with a strong headed Jim Whitelock goal from a Conrad corner.

Grove reduced the deficit after 55 minutes when Ben Whitehead was judged to have fouled inside the penalty area. Ollie Webb got his second goal when he blasted a shot to the left from the spot making it 4-2 This gave Grove heart and it took some resolute defending and a couple of great saves from Jake in goal to maintain our lead.

There was a moment of controversy when Jake allowed a ball to bounce over his head. The ball was heading towards goal but the Grove striker didn't take notice of his fellow players' shouts not to touch it and hit it into the net. This meant he was judged to be offside and the goal disallowed. 

On the sixty five minute mark Conrad scored one of the best goals I've seen for a long time when he took on two Grove players down the left then cut in beat another player and took a sweet shot to the keepers left. The Grove players tired and began to lose heart, which allowed us to create quite a few chances towards the end. Cameron Craig and Jack Hitchen both came close before Conrad claimed his hat trick with a coolly taken lob shot over the keeper's head to make it 6-2.

This was our best display in recent years. Grove Rangers are a good side but we battled well and deserved our win, taking our chances.

All played well today but special mentions to Westy and Obaida for working exceptionally hard to deny them anything down their left wing. Jake made some great saves to preserve our lead at various times and our defence and midfield played their part with strong performances all round. The man of the match goes to Conrad Deer, not just for his hat trick but his tireless work and that great fifth goal.

Many thanks to Kane Slaymaker for running the line in his usual firm but fair way.

Well done to all.

Next game at home to Grove Rangers

Our next game is at home on Sunday 7th October against Grove Rangers, kick off 2pm. We will be playing at The Closes. Players, please be there at 1.15pm.

This is a big game against the only other team in the division with 100% record. It should be a good match so all supporters are very welcome for this one.

Training on Thursday at Tilsley

We are training 7pm sharp on Thursday 4th October at Tilsley Park ahead of our home game at 2pm Sunday  7th October against Grove Rangers