Raging Fever 2 Swindon Fans 4

Report by Nick Wehmeier

Fever welcomed a newly formed Swindon supporters team to Oxford for the first clash between these two sides for some time. Oxford manager John Matthews had done his best to keep the identity of the opposition a secret prior to the game, but once the Fever players found out, they were certainly relishing the opportunity to take on their local rivals.

The early encounters were quite cagey and it took some time for the game to get going properly. It was perhaps, therefore, inevitable that a mistake would lead to the breakthrough. That came when Gerard Foster, making his return to the side, misjudged a back pass, playing the ball across his goal into the path of a Swindon striker, who was presented with an easy finish past Joel Harrison.

To their credit, Fever kept playing their game and it wasn't too long before they were level. The goal came from a long ball played up the pitch which caused havoc in the Swindon box. Nick Wehmeier took advantage to slot home past the 'keeper with his left foot.

At this point Fever were playing some nice football but couldn't find a way to convert more of their many chances into goals. They would come to rue this as Swindon were much more clinical, taking advantage of uncertainty and an unwillingness to clear their lines by the Fever defence, to grab two unanswered goals.

After the break, Fever pushed forward and found a way back in via a penalty. A corner from the left found its way to Nick Wehmeier, whose goalbound effort was heading for the top corner when a Swindon defender used his hand to keep it out. Manager Matthews clinically despatched the resultant spot kick. After this lifeline Fever really should have capitalised further, but they were again unable to turn any more of their good play into goals. Swindon then killed them off with a strike of their own.

Fever were naturally very disappointed to have lost this one and could well have done much better, but they thank their Swindon counterparts for making the trip down the A420 for a clash that lived up to its 'friendly' status and hopefully paves the way for further meetings.

Fever: Joel Harrison, Gerard Foster, Kung Fu Martin, Pat Wehmeier, Paul Lucas, Paul Soper, Gary Neville, William 'Gobby' Gale, Russell McSweeney, James Longshaw, Ciaran Kennedy, Nick Wehmeier, John Matthews, George Dugdale

Goals: Nick Wehmeier, John Matthews (pen)