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.
