CM v Ducklington - Postponed

The fixture planned for this Sunday 2nd February is postponed. Ducklington have a cup game and anyway LMF pitch is unplayable.
Let's hope for better luck next week

Training on Wednesday - OFF

The continuos rain has meant Fogwell Road pitch is even worse than last week so training is off.

Game v Ducklington - Postponed

Our next league game due on Sunday 26th January away to Ducklington has been postponed as they have a cup game on that day.

Training on Wednesday - OFF

We are training as usual on Wednesday 22nd January at Fogwell Rd, 7pm sharp

Update 5.30pm Wednesday 22nd January
Sorry folks but the pitch has still got too much standing water so we've had to cancel tonight's training.

Next game away to Chalgrove Cavaliers - Postponed

Our next league game is this Sunday 19th January away to Chalgrove Cavaliers with a 2pm kick off. Their ground is at Baronhurst Road, Chalgrove OX44 7TE. Could all players be on the pitch ready to warm up by 1.30pm.
If you need a lift we are leaving Elms Parade at 12.45pm. Please let us know so that we can be sure are enough spaces.

Update 10pm Friday 17th January
I haven't heard from Chalgrove so I assume the game is on as arranged.

Update 1.30pm Saturday 18th January
I've just heard from the Chalgrove manager, he's checking the pitch later today. Verdict will be posted on here.

Update 7.15pm Saturday 18th January
The verdict from the Chalgrove manager is that the pitch is unplayable so the game is unfortunately postponed

Training on Wednesday - OFF

We are training this Wednesday 15th January, 7pm sharp at Fogwell Road. The pitch is currently ok but there is some dodgy weather forecast on Wednesday so I will provide an update at around 2pm on the day.

Update 2:30 Wednesday 15th January.
There's too much standing water on the pitch and with rain forecast for this afternoon we will have to cancel this evening's training. Sorry folks.

CM v Banbury United

12th January 2014   home   result 3-1   half time 1-1
Scorers for CM   Cameron Craig   Jim Whitelock   Jack Hitchen

Cumnor Minors start the year with a solid win in the mud.
The pitch was just about playable following the recent rain and the morning frost but it made it difficult to play any sort of decent football
The game began with Cumnor playing against the wind and up the slight slope. It was a tight first minutes with both teams struggling to get accustomed to the conditions. Banbury created the more of the chances and were rewarded with a goal after 25 minutes when their No 8 John Marron picked up the ball in midfield and ran at Cumnor's defence. He unleashed a shot for 20 yards out and the ball flew inside the left post giving Kane no chance.
Cumnor strived for the equaliser but Banbury were dangerous on the break with Marron a constant threat.
The equaliser arrived after 40 minutes when Cameron Craig scored his first of the season with a strong run through the left of midfield. His shot was partially saved by their keeper, Aaron McClachan, but it bobbled over the line for a goal.
This meant the half finished 1-1
Pete's half time talk encouraged the players to battle it out reminding them that next half they were playing with the wind and so should be able to tale advantage.
In the second half the conditions worsened as the pitch cut up and it became a battle to control the ball. 
Robbie Catling was tripped in the penalty area in the 58th minute and Cumnor were awarded a penalty. There was some confusion who was to take the penalty as the natural contenders were being rested so Jim Whitelock stepped up. He coolly slotted it low to the right passed the outstretched keeper's arms giving him his first goal of the season.
Banbury's heads dropped after this and Cumnor began to take control. An error by their keeper gave an opportunistic third goal to Cumnor for Jack Hitchen in the 70th minute.
Cumnor could have added to the lead with Robbie, Mitchell and Jack Bowler going close. Banbury's frustration got worse and lead to Marron being sent off in the 87th minute for abuse to the referee. 
It was a good win for Cumnor in atrocious conditions against a much improved Banbury side. The whole team played well but man of the match has to go to Ben Upjohn who practically controlled the midfield.

Next game at home to Banbury United

Our next game is this Sunday, 12th January at home to Banbury United with a 2pm kick off. Could all players be on the pitch ready to warm up by 1.30pm.
The pitch is currently soggy but as long as there's not too much rain before Sunday it should be playable. I'll check on Saturday morning and post an update on here.

Update Friday 10th January
Following multiple requests the kick of time has been put forward to 12.30pm. So could all players be on the pitch by Midday.

Update Saturday 11th January
Following a pitch inspection it looks like it will be fine by Sunday and the game is planned to go ahead.

Christmas break

That's it for this year and we resume training on Wednesday 8th January.
Summertown have asked to postpone the game scheduled for 5th January as they won't have many of their players back at Oxford.
The postponed games have now been rearranged and they are listed to the right. You may notice there is a six week gap between our two last games. I've pointed this out to the league and will let you know their response.
In the meantime have a great Christmas and we'll see you all refreshed in the new year.

CM v Wantage Town

15th December   home   result 2-3   half time 1-2
Scorers for CM   Mitchell Larman   Jack Hitchen   Connor Penfold

Cumnor Minors got back to winning ways with a victory away to Wantage Town.
The start was delayed by 10 minutes as the appointed referee called in sick. Andy Plaistow deputised in the last minute with his third game of the day.
The game kicked off with a strong, blustery wind diagonally across the pitch with Cumnor facing the wind in the first half.
It was a great start for Cumnor, they got  a corner with their first attack and Connor Penfold's excellently lofted outswinger was bundled in by Mitchell Larman on the far post. This meant Cumnor were 1-0 up in the first two minutes.
They incredibly doubled their lead after just 7 minutes when a shot from Mitchell was deflected by a Wantage player; it looked like it was going in the goal but Jack Hitchen took no chances and buried it from a yard out.
Both teams then struggled with the conditions, the wind was a dominating factor and the pitch was not in the best condition making it awkward to pass on the floor.
Wantage pulled one back after 35 minutes when Charlie Bennett was judged to have fouled in the penalty area. The resulting penalty was blasted down the centre giving Kane no chance.
The half finished 2-1 to Cumnor. Pete's half time talk told the players to keep working as they had in the first half as playing down the slope with the wind should result in more goals.
The conditions worsened as the wind got heavier and although Cumnor pressed the Wantage goal they could not get the two goal cushion.
It was Wantage who scored with a breakaway after 65 minutes when a good low cross from the right found their number 9 who slotted home comfortably making it 2-2.
This galvanised Cumnor into action and following sustained pressure after 75 minutes Connor hit a sweet shot low to the keeper's right restoring their lead.
The weather deteriorated further later into the game with driving rain adding to the wind. Cumnor players were delighted to hear the referee's final whistle in the glom of the winter late afternoon.
It was a good solid performance by all Cumnor players with a deserved win in tough conditions. Mitchell Larman and Ben Scrivener both had promising full team debuts with Mitchell's first fifteen minutes proving to be the difference between the sides.


Next Game Away to Wantage

Our next league game is this Sunday 15th December away to Wantage Town with a 2pm kick off. Their ground is at Alfedian Park, Manor Road, Wantage OX12 8DW 
Could all players be on the pitch ready to warm up by 1.30pm. If you need a lift we are leaving Botley Parade at 12.50. Please let us know so that we can be sure there are enough spaces.

Training on Wednesday

We are training as usual on Wednesday 11th December, 7pm sharp at Fogwell Road. This is ahead of our away league game against Wantage Town this Sunday 8th December