Training at Tilsley

We are training as usual on Thursday 29th November, 7pm sharp at Tilsley.
We have no game this weekend, our next match is away to Banbury on the 9th December.

Next game against Radley Youth - OFF

Our next game is a derby away to Radley Youth due to kick off at 2pm on Sunday 25th November at Thrupp Lane, Radley OX14 3NG.
Please could all players be on the pitch by 1.30pm. Those that need a lift are to be at Elms Parade by 1.10pm. Please let us know so there is space for you.
There is obviously some concern the game will go ahead because of the weather but apparently their pitch rarely floods. Any news will be posted here straight away.

Update 1pm Saturday 24th
We've just got a message from the Radley manager that the pitch is "wet" and a decision about the game will be made later in the day. This will be posted on here straight away.

Update 1.30pm Saturday 24th
Just spoke to Radley manager, a decision will be made later today or tomorrow morning, its 50/50 at the moment

Update 9.30pm Saturday 24th
No news from Radley so it's looks like a Sunday morning decision. I'll post straight away on here but if anyone needs to know the latest you are welcome to text or call my mobile. You should know the number but if not please email u17squad@cumnorfc.co.uk


Update11am Sunday 25th
We've just heard from Radley and they've called the game off. Apparently there is too much standing water on the pitch.

Training at Tilsley on Thursday

Posted 11.30am 22nd November
Despite the poor weather training is currently on for 7pm Thursday 22nd November ahead of our game on Sunday away to Radley at Thrupp Lane.
If either are called off for the weather I'll let you know straight away.

Training on Thursday

I'm sure it will not come as a shock to learn we are training 7pm sharp on Thursday 15th November, at Tilsley Park.
There's no game on Sunday.

CM v Garsington Youth

11th November   Away   Result 0-2
Scorers for CM:  Jack Hitchen   Jamie Smith

Garsingston's ground in Denton Lane has good facilities and even a dugout for the teams but it's on the top of a hill and the wind can blow a gale. Luckily the weather for this game was excellent with only the low sun causing occasional problems.
Garsington are expected to do well this season but haven't had the best of starts after four games and are lying in mid table. They have however, let in just seven goals which is the same defensive record as Cumnor indicating it was going to be a tight match.
Following a minute's silence Cumnor won the toss and elected to play with the sun behind them.
The game started evenly with both teams creating chances. The pitch was rather bobbly making passing difficult and it was Garsngton who managed the conditions well and strung some good passes together. Cumnor's passing was rather disjointed and on occasions they gave they ball away rather too easily but their play did look to be more effective.
It was Cumnor who broke the deadlock at 41 minutes when Jack Hitchen pounced on an error in the Garsington penalty area and slotted the ball home. Overall it was an even half and Cumnor were rather fortunate to be 0-1 up.
Pete's half time talk suggested that the pitch conditions meant they shouldn't be afraid to play the long ball and reminded all to concentrate on controlling more of the midfield, playing it tight when they didn't have the ball.
The second half started with Cumnor much more in control and they payed much better allround football. It became one of those games where the ball would not go into the net with Robble, Zak, Cameron Jamie and Obaida all going close. The Garsington keeper had a good game and denied a number of chances. Jamie also had a very strong claim for a penalty when seemingly upended as he was through on goal, although to be fair the referee in general had a very good game.
Eventually Jamie Smith eased any Cumnor's nerves and got the second goal with a carefully lobbed shot from just outside the penalty area.
Garsington had their chances in the half and didn't allow their heads to go down, battling to the end. They couldn't get past a resolute Cumnor defence and the game finished 0-2.
It was Cumnor's second clean sheet of the season, so very well done to the defence. The first half was rather uneven from the the rest of the team but they certainly made up for it in the second with some excellent quality football.
Special mentions go to Jack Bowler who had a great game at left back, Kane who was solid in goal, Cameron Craig who battled well, and the two new signings Zak and Mark who both had good debuts. Man of the match goes to Jamie Smith for his great all round play.

Next game away against Garsington Youth

Our next game is away against Garsington Youth. We haven't had confirmation from Garsington yet but it's due to be a 2pm kick off at Garsington Sports Club, Denton Lane, Garsington, Oxford OX44 9EL

Players are to be on the pitch ready to warm up by 1.30pm. For those that need a lift we are leaving Elms Parade at 1pm. Please let us know so there is a space for you.

Training on Thursday at Tilsley

We are training as usual, 7pm sharp on Thursday 8th November  at Tilsley Park ahead of our second away game of the season on Sunday against Garsington Youth

CM v Abingdon United U16s

1st November   Away   result 0-3   half time 0-3

This was a friendly game under the floodlights at Abingdon United's ground.
The game started well for Abingdon and they went one up after five minutes following a mix up in the penalty area. It took some time for us to adjust to the much bigger pitch after playing five games at Cumnor's smaller ground and Abingdon stretched our team around the pitch. They soon added two goals, the second was a well taken shot following a cross from the right and the third a shot from just inside the penalty area. We struggled to create chances ourselves and had difficulty in containing their midfield who played some excellent passing football. The half finished 0-3.
We changed from 4-4-2 in the second half to 4-5-1 to match Abingdon's formation and give us more presence in the midfield. Pete's half time talk reminded the players to concentrate more in the centre of the pitch rather than try to cover the whole area.
The second half was a great improvement for us with the game evenly matched. We could have reduced the deficit a couple of times with Cameron Craig and Zac both going close. We gave various squad members time on the pitch and they all contributed well. The match finished an honourable 0-3 and our players finished the game feeling a lot better than they did at half time.
It was a good friendly match against a skilful A league team who are favourites to win their league.