By Nick Wehmeier

Raging Fever 5 Kingstonian fans 3

On Saturday, Raging Fever welcomed a team of Kingstonian supporters to Horspath as last-minute replacements for Grimsby, who had been unable to raise a team.

If, having seen their opposition's results so far this season, Oxford thought they were in for an easy ride then the opening exchanges showed otherwise. Both sides enjoyed good possession without creating any clear-cut chances.

It was Oxford who were to score first though, with the breakthrough coming halfway through the first half. Rob Muskett put in a cross from the right wing (obviously doing his best again to be as far out of position as possible, given that he was supposed to be playing at left-back) which was knocked down into the path of Fever striker Nick Wehmeier who reacted quickly to fire a volley into the top corner from close range.

Despite some further good play, Oxford couldn't hold the lead until half-time, and Kingstonian hit back with a fine strike before the break. Keeper Danny Wells stood no chance in keeping out a volley from 25 yards. The teams went in at the interval all square.

The second half was a more open affair, and it wasn't long before Fever were in front again, as John Matthews hit a thundering effort into the top corner from 25 yards. A third goal, somewhat less spectacular, soon followed. Simon Hill, who was combining well with James Longshaw on the left wing, saw his mishit cross loop into the back of the net (while still apologizing for the poor quality of the pass).

Just as Fever thought they were pulling away, though, they were pegged back again as Kingstonian scored a scrappy goal. However, Fever soon scored again as Hill grabbed his second, finishing neatly after being put through by Stuart Burson. Again, though, Fever failed to capitalize on their two-goal lead, as Kingstonian hit back quickly once more. Longshaw, now making up the numbers for the opposition, beat a number of players (including, much to his embarassment, his cousin Burson) on the right wing and put in a cross for the Kingstonian striker to fire into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

The scoring was concluded shortly afterwards, as Danny Pear was rewarded for all his hard work with a goal, heading in from a Wehmeier cross at the far post.

At the death Fever had an excellent chance to increase their lead when Wehmeier passed to Matthews inside the box. It looked almost impossible for the manager to miss, but he hadn't reckoned with Kingstonian's defender miraculously clearing off the line with his head. The game, therefore, finished 5-3.

Thanks to Kingstonian for getting a team together at such short notice and taking part in a game played in excellent spirits.

Fever: Danny Wells, Gary Butler, Nick Holloway, Geoff Carter, Rob Muskett, Simon Hill, Andy Clyde, James Longshaw, Stuart Burson, Danny Pear, Paul Lucas, John Matthews, Nick Wehmeier

Goals: Wehmeier, Matthews, Hill (2), Pear