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.