Barnet 2 Raging Fever 2

Report by George Dugdale

Raging Fever were held to a draw by a strong Barnet side on Bank Holiday Monday.

In my mind, Barnet were a club who trained on a muddy patch of recreation ground behind Sam Deering's house, providing a facility that even he couldn't be late to arrive at. As the Fevermobile pulled through the gates of an impressive training complex, featuring numerous grass and synthetic pitches, there was a sense of shock at the quality facility that the relegation-strugglers had to offer.

It is not every day that Fever play at a training ground and this was certainly a day for surprises. As we entered the changing rooms -ironically, considering earlier criticism, late – we were greeted by two girls and a camera. Before we had time to consider what kind of explicit activities they had in mind, we were informed that they were filming product research for Mars bars. I can only presume from their filming that Mars' target market is firmly in the unfit footballer category and as several players struggled to answer questions about their ideal Mars bar moment, others donned the blue away kit for battle.

With manager John Matthews absent, Nick Holloway took charge trying to enhance his fine managerial record, claiming to be 'unbeaten other than against the Exiles…they don't count'.

Barnet's centre half was quickly introduced to us as 'JT' and going one step further than his Chelsea namesake, insisted on revealing his substantial physique before kick off. As one team's defender showed his pecs, a Fever defender munched on a complementary Mars bar. The outlook was bleak.

The home side started the game on the offensive as Fever loosened up after their journey that morning. Karl Neal, Nicky Pear, Mike Bowe and Nick Holloway did well to keep Joel Harrison's goal protected and it was their hard work, in addition to some wayward Barnet finishing that allowed Fever to escape the opening period unscathed.

Fever then took the lead against the run of play. Dan Pear fired in a shot from the edge of the area and, much like the game later in the day, the Barnet keeper was unable to palm the ball around his post.

If one goal came as a slight shock, Fever were delighted to double their lead shortly before the half hour. Having already fired several shots into the netting behind the goal that prevented balls from straying onto the train line, Dan Pear was again heavily involved. The midfielder's low, near-post corner was diverted into the home net with Dan Curtis nearby. Judging by the lack of celebrations by both, the final touch belonged to an opposition defender.

Fever were growing in confidence as the half came to an end but only some woeful home finishing and a linesman's flag maintained the two goal lead. Barnet's full-back, who hadn't scored this season, fired in a low shot from the edge of the area. One attacker, in an offside position, hit the deck in order to avoid the ball and it appeared to bounce narrowly over his back before hitting the net. After consultation with his assistant, the referee ruled the goal out, judging that it had glanced the striker before beating Harrison in the Fever goal.

This setback appeared to spur the home side on as the second half began and it wasn't long before they had their reply. A ball bounced into the Fever box and a Barnet striker casually lofted the ball over Harrison to reduce the deficit.

Before Fever could recover their composure, the home side had drawn level. Fever conceded a cheap corner and our friend 'JT' rose above the blue shirts to nod the ball home.

Thom Airs came close to restoring the Fever lead moments later. Having received the ball in the corner, Airs left his marker confused before surging into the area. His cross-shot took a deflection off a Barnet defender but somehow stayed the wrong side of the goal line.

Nick Wehmeier was the next to threaten the home goal, charging in behind the Barnet defence from a Jimmy Hickman through-ball. However, the striker could only slash his shot wide of the right-hand upright.

The home side were still creating openings but were unable to find a way past Harrison in the Fever goal.

As the referee called for two minutes of additional time, Thom Airs fizzed a low shot past the post with the last clear-cut chance of the game.

This wasn't a bad result for Fever against a Barnet side who have had a decent season against some strong opposition, but the Oxford side will always be disappointed to throw away a two goal advantage. There were plenty of positives to take from the game, with impressive performances all over the pitch. Fever will hope to put this to good use next week as they travel to Dulwich Hamlet.

Fever: Joel Harrison, Karl Neal, Mike Bowe, Nicky Pear, Nick Holloway, James Longshaw, Dan Pear, Jimmy Hickman, Dan Curtis, Nick Wehmeier, Rob Muskett, Thom Airs, George Dugdale, Pat Wehmeier.

Goals: Dan Pear, OG.