Training on Thursday

We are training as usual, 7pm sharp on Thursday 28th February at Tilsley Park.

CM v Ducklington FC

24th February    away   result 3-2   half time 2-0
Scorers for CM: Ben Whitehead   Charlie Bennett

The game stated fairly evenly with Cumnor doing more of the attacking but neither team created clear cut chances.
After 20 minutes it was Ducklington who scored first following an uncharacteristic mix up in defence allowing their striker to jab the ball in from the centre of the penalty area.
Cumnor pressed for the equaliser but another mix up in their defence meant they two down after 35 minutes with the ball creeping inside the right post.
The half finished 2-0 and Pete's half time talk reminded Cumnor players that whilst they had to work hard, they were creating chances and the game was still within reach.
The second half started well for Cumnor and they had many opportunities to score but kept contriving to miss. It took a great long ball from a free kick by Kane after 55 minutes to central defender Ben who coolly shot from just outside the penalty area making the score 2-1
Cumnor pressed further for the equaliser but another defensive blunder allowed Ducklington to restore their two goal advantage, this time the ball crossing the line across the goal after claims for a goal kick.
Charlie Bennett raised Cumnor's hopes after 85 minutes when scored with a great shot from 30 yards out to the top left of the goal.
Ducklington held firm though and the game finished 3-2.
It was a below par performance all round from Cumnor with some lax defending but then again it was the two central defenders who scored the goals.

Next game away to Ducklington FC

Our next game is away to Ducklington FC, kick off 2pm on Sunday 24th February.
Their ground is Glebelands Playing Field, Standlake Road, Ducklington OX29 7US. Players are to be on the pitch ready to warm up by 1.30pm.
If anyone needs a lift to the game please be at Ems Parade by 1pm. Please let us know to make so we can arrange sufficient places.
Ducklington FC are confident the game will go ahead despite the cold weather that is forecast. All updates will be posted on here so please assume it's on unless revised on here.

Thursday training

We are training as usual at Tilsley, 7pm this Thursday 21st Feb.
This is ahead of our league game on Sunday 24th Feb away to Ducklington.

CM v Cholsey Bluebirds U18s Friendly

17th February    away   result 3-3   half time 1-1
Scorers for CM: George Thomas  Obaida Mohamedi   Kane Slaymaker

The game kicked off in glorious spring-like sunshine although the pitch was an awkward surface to play on thanks to the recent rain. Cumnor began well but contrived to miss a series of chances with Zak, Cameron Craig, Obaida and Conrad all going close. It was George who scored the first in the 23rd minute with a well taken goal following a superb through pass from Jim.
The chances still kept coming - and going, with Cameron hitting the post twice in quick succession and George had a great shot from twenty yards tipped over the bar.
Cholsey began to get more into the game and equalised at 35 minutes with a well taken goal shooting to Kane's left inside the penalty area meaning the half finished at 1-1
Cumnor made wholesale positional changes at half time to give players the opportunity to try different areas, the most significant being Ben in goal and Kane into central midfield.
Cumnor re-took the lead after 55 minutes with a well taken shot from Obaida from the left curled inside the opposite post. Cholsey were much improved in the second half and after 65 minutes  equalised from a corner. They created further chances forcing an excellent save from Ben and some last ditch defending. Eventually they took the lead after 75 minutes following a defensive mix up.
Cumnor fought back well and equalised with 8 minutes remaining when Kane powered home a header directly from a Conrad corner.
There were more chances created and missed by both sides but the game finished an honourable 3-3 draw.
It was decided to hold a penalty shoot out with Cumnor winning 4-2 with goals by Obaida, George, Ben and Conrad, together with a save from Kane.

This was a good work-out played in great spirit ahead of our league game against Ducklington next Sunday. Good luck to Cholsey for the rest of the season.

Next game is a friendly away to Cholsey U18s

We've arranged another friendly against Cholsey U18s, kick off 2pm Sunday 17th February. Their ground is Cholsey Recreation Ground, Oxon. OX10 9PT. Players are to be on the pitch ready to warm up at 1.30pm. It's a friendly so friends of the club are welcome to play.
We are leaving Elms Parade at 1pm for all those needing lifts to the game. Please let us know so that space will be available.

Training tonight - OFF

There's no training tonight as we have a friendly on Sunday against Cholsey Bluebirirds.

Training on Thursday

We are training as usual at Tilsley Park, 7pm Thursday 7th February. We have a break this Sunday and our next match is a return friendly against Cholsey Bluebirds U18s, kick off 2pm Sunday 17th February. Details to follow.

CM v Garsington Youth

3rd February   home fixture played away   result 2-3   half time 1-2
Scorers for CM: Robbie Catling   Jack Hitchen   Cameron Craig

This game was due to be played at The Closes but as the pitch was waterlogged the fixture was moved to Garsington's ground.
The pitch was reasonably dry but rather bobbly following the recent rain and Garsington kicked off with Cumnor playing down the slope in the first half. The game started evenly but as the half progressed Cumnor gradually gained the upper hand. Conrad worked tirelessly up front and came close a number of times. Goalkeeper Kane's excellent kicks from hand caused Garsington's defence all sorts of problems and Conrad was very nearly rewarded with a goal when a careful lob from a long Kane kick hit the crossbar and bounced back into play.
The deadlock was eventually broken after 25 minutes when a great move with Jake Gerring supplying Conrad with a long ball down the left wing and Robbie Catling heading in Conrad's pinpoint cross.
Garsington struck back 8 minutes with a good piece of interplay on the right leading to a goal from a shot inside the penalty area to Kane's left.
Cumnor fought back and re-took the lead after a series of corners at 38 minutes when Jake's cross fell to Jack Hitchen who coolly stroked it into the net.
This meant the half finished 2-1. Pete's half time talk reminded them that it was going to be tough in the second half with Garsington playing down the slope.
The prediction was right and Garsington applied pressure in the second half going close a few times, hitting the post and a remarkable goal line save from Westy when he hooked the ball off the goal line as it seemed certain to go in.
Cameron Craig briefly eased Cumnor's nerves after 70 minutes when he scored from a great shot 25 yards out going over the keeper's head, making the score 3-1.
Garsington hit back 5 minutes later with a strong header directly from a corner.
The following fifteen minutes meant some resolute defending from Cumnor as Garsington fought for the equaliser, although Cumnor had a few chances themselves on the breakaway with striker Obaida Mohemedi going close on a number of occasions.
It was a great win for Cumnor and probably the toughest game so far this season. Garsington are a good side and should do well in the remainder of the season.
All players should be pleased with their performances today and joint man of the match goes to Conrad Deer for his great skills and tireless running, together with Ben Whitehead for leading the defence so well.