Dulwich Hamlet 0 Raging Fever 12

Report by George Dugdale

Fever picked up a comprehensive victory on their penultimate away day of the season at Dulwich Hamlet.

Any Oxford-based team runs the risk of being slightly worse for wear on May Day morning and this was no exception. Somehow, the entire squad arrived at the Isthmian league club's Champion Hill ground in time for kick-off.

Fever started the game slowly and were almost punished as a Dulwich striker found himself one on one with James Parker, but could only fire wide of the left-hand post.

As the hangover from the previous night's activities began to lift, Fever grew into the game and scored the goal that opened the floodgates. Pat Wehmeier's volleyed clearance found it's way to Simon Cant who raced in behind the Dulwich backline, before opening his body to slot past the advancing goalkeeper.

The main suspect in the previous night's activities, Thom Airs, was involved in Fever's second. His run through midfield was followed by an incisive pass to Simon Cant in the left-hand channel. The striker attempted to square the ball to George Dugdale who was unmarked at the back post, only for the winger's goal-drought to be extended thanks to a wayward Dulwich interception that could only divert the ball into the home side's net.

Cant doubled his own tally moments later after fine work from Jimmy Hickman. The midfielder intercepted a Dulwich pass before hooking the ball across the goalmouth. Nick Wehmeier set the ball back into the six yard box where Cant was waiting to slam the ball home.

Cant's strike-partner was the next to trouble the scorers. Dugdale hung up a cross to the backpost where Cant backpedalled to knock the ball down. John Matthews managed to get enough purchase on his header to see the ball squirm into the net at the front post.

The provider then completed one of the quicker hattricks in Fever history as he exhibited his predatory instincts. Fever did well to keep the ball alive on the edge of the Dulwich penalty area and as the ball dropped at Cant's feet, he steered it inside the far post to make the score 5-0 at the break.

Fever had been invited to play at Dulwich's excellent ground due to their reputation as a team that play the game in the right spirit. The manner in which the away side ruthlessly put their hosts to the sword in the first half may dictate that Fever are not invited back.

The first of four goals in ten second half minutes was a lovely team goal. George Dugdale and John Matthews combined to release Nick Pear on the byline. The full-back pulled the ball back for Cant to slot home another goal.

Cant's fifth goal was equally clinical. Thom Airs crossed low from the right, allowing Cant to spin his marker with one touch and fire home with the second. The striker celebrated his fifth goal of the game by heading to the substitute's bench where he could inflict no further damage.

If a footballer scoring five goals in a game is rare, James Longshaw scoring from a header is an event which could cause rational thinkers to question the future of our universe. John Matthews advanced down the right wing and his whipped cross landed square on the opposite winger's forehead. With precision that Andy Carroll, Tim Cahill and other aerial predators would be proud of, Longshaw sent the ball back from where it had arrived, leaving the 'keeper stranded as the ball looped into the net.

Nick Pear was continuing to provide a potent attacking outlet on the right and his fine cross resulted in a second Dulwich own goal.

If Longshaw's header was a shock, the sight of Dugdale breaking his Fever scoring duck – stretching back to February 2010 – was far more alarming. Having intecepted a wayward pass in the Dulwich backline, the winger exchanged passes with Matthews before curling a right-footed shot low into the Dulwich net, beyond the despairing dive of the Hamlet keeper.

Nicky Pear then got the goal that his performance had deserved. James Longshaw was heavily involved, backheeling into the full-back's path, allowing Pear to crash a low shot in at the near post.

Nick Wehmeier rounded off the scoring as he surged clear, before rounding the goalkeeper to tap into an empty net.

Fever were treated to beer and snacks in the Dulwich Hamlet boardroom after the game to round off a very successful day's work.

Raging Fever: James Parker, Stuart Burson, Nicky Pear, Nick Holloway, Paul Soper, Pat Wehmeier, George Dugdale, Thom Airs, Jimmy Hickman, James Longshaw, Simon Cant, John Matthews, Nick Wehmeier.

Goals: Cant (5), Matthews, Longshaw, Dugdale, Wehmeier, Pear, OG (2).

Highlights of Fever's victory can be viewed here – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhNh_r_Ma8I&feature=channel_video_title