That's all folks

We finished the season a credible fourth and well done to the lads for sticking it out right to the end especially as it became apparent we would finish mid table whatever the results.

Congratulations to captain Ben Whitehead for winning Managers' player of the season.
Well done to Robbie Catling for Player's player and Jack Bowler for Supporters player of the season. There was a good spread of votes for both award which showed how well all players contributed to the cause.

A special mention to Daniel 'Westy' West for being awarded the special Cumnor Minors "Haggis" Trophy. This is an award given each year to a player at the club. Westy's achievement was to join at the first meeting at Under 7s and not missing a season right the way through to the last game at Under 18s. A team rarely makes it right from the start to the Under 18s, there must be over 200 teams under 7s in the Oxford and Witney Under 7s and there was just nine at Under 18s and only four had been around from the start. He also picked up a fair few player awards on the way too.

A big thank you to all the supporters who helped each week with putting up and taking the goals, running the line, generally clearing up and most importantly cheering when we got a goal!

I hope all the lads have a try at Men's football, we had some decent players and should do well.

Well, that's the lot, it's been a great journey with plenty of high spots to cover the occasional lows, a big thank you to everyone involved with the team.

Nigel and Pete

Presentation Day

This year's presentation day is Sunday May 18th starting at Midday at The Closes in Cumnor. We will be giving out team trophies at 1pm. All players, past and present, families and friends are welcome to this informal event.

CM v Ducklington

4th May 2014   away   result 6-2   half time 3-1
Scorers for CM   Robbie Catling   Cameron Craig

Cumnor's U18s last ever game finished with a loss but it was a spirited display.
It was always going to be a tough match against the team top in the league needing a win to make sure they would get the title and it was made harder for Cumnor by players dropping out for various reasons. The 12 that were prepared to play battled well in the first half, matching Ducklington and creating more of the chances. Their efforts were rewarded with the first goal after 12 minutes as Robbie coolly slotted into the right. Cumnor held on to the lead and created further chances but Ducklington drew level with a well taken strike inside the penalty area after 32 minutes. They increased their lead five minutes later and scored a third just before half time.
Pete's half time talk praised the lads efforts and reminded them they were still in the game.
As it was the last game Ben Whitehead agreed to go in goal for the second half to give regular keeper, Kane Slaymaker, the opportunity to score.
The second half started evenly but Ducklington had the luxury of five substitutes so were able to regularly change players keeping them all fresh in the heat. This meant the tiring Cumnor players let in another three goals in the half although Cameron Craig replied for Cumnor with a great individual goal.
The Man of the Match for Cumnor goes to the players brave enough to play in a game against the best team in the league that had nothing on offer except the pride of finishing the season. Well done to them all.

Next game v Ducklington

Our next and very last league game is on Sunday 4th May away to Ducklington with a 2pm kick off.
Their ground is at Aston Road, Ducklington, Witney. OX29 7US
For those who need a lift we will be leaving Elms Parade at 1pm.

Update Friday 2nd May
Kick off has been changed to 1pm so we will be leaving Elms Parade at Midday

Last training session

The very last training session for the squad is 7pm on Wednesday 30th April at Fogwell Road. All past and present players and friends of the club are welcome. It would be good to get decent numbers for this monumental occasion.

CM v Ducklington

27th April 2014   home   result 3-7   half time 2-3
Scorers for CM Robbie Catling (3)

This was Cumnor's last home game against a strong Ducklington side aiming to win the league.
The first half was evenly fought and it was Ducklington who took the lead after 18 minutes from a corner. Cumnor pressed hard after that and were rewarded with two goals in quick succession from their top striker, Robbie Catling, to lead 2-1. Two substitutions by Cumnor with 10 minutes to go in the half disrupted their flow and they conceded two late goals in the half meaning it finished 2-3.
Pete's half time talk reminded the team they were still in the game and to continue battling as they did for much of the first half.
Ducklington started the stronger in the second half and gradually broke down a tiring Cumnor. Their heads went down and the goals started to leak in with a further four from Ducklington. Cumnor got a consolation late in the game when Robbie's header following a corner was judged to have crossed the line.
Cumnor's man of the match was Robbie Catling with an excellent hat trick.

Next game home to Ducklington

Our next game is our last home match and it's against our old rivals Ducklington with a 2pm kick off. It's our usual venue, Louie Memorial Fields, could all players be on the pitch ready to warm up by 1.30pm. Yeah right.

Training on Wednesday

We are training this Wednesday 23rd April, 7pm at Fogwell Road. This is ahead of our last home game on Sunday 27th April against Ducklington

Easter break

There are no games scheduled and we'll take a break from training over Easter.
Training will resume on Wednesday 23rd April ahead of our home league game on Sunday 27th April against Ducklington

No Training

There's no training on Wednesday 2nd April and no match on Sunday 6th April. Enjoy the break.

CM v Summertown Stars

30th March 2014   away   result 3-1   half time 1-1
Scorer for CM   Robbie Catling

It was a disappointing reverse score for Cumnor Minors as Sumertown Stars avenged their 3-1 loss from the previous week.
The game started well for Cumnor with Robbie Catling opening the scoring after just 2 minutes when he converted a looping cross from Ben Scrivener. Summertown gradually got back into the game and after 20 minutes they scored from the penalty spot after Daniel West brought down their striker.
The half finished 1-1.
Summertown Stars started the second half more brightly and took the lead after 55 minutes with a shot from just outside the penalty area area. They increased their lead after 68 minutes with a close shot following a cross from the left.
Cumnor struggled in the heat to make any headway and whilst they created a couple of half chances the game finished with Summertown Stars the winners.

Next game away to Summertown Stars

Our next league game is away to Summertown Stars kick off 2pm on Sunday 30th March at Cutteslowe Park.
Could all players be on the pitch ready to warm up by 1.30pm.
For those needing a lift we are leaving Elms Parade at 1.10pm