Raging Fever’s pre-season games concluded this morning, with a hard-fought 4-4 draw against Feltham Cowboys, from South London. The Feltham boys came along specially for this game, thanks to their Oxford-supporting goalie for the day, Steve. The game was played in a friendly spirit, and was a pleasure to play, so thanks to the opposition for that. Fever only had eleven players turn up, so with no substitutes and the hot weather, they knew that they had their work cut out.

The game was quarter of an hour old when the visitors took the lead. A long cross from their left evaded everyone and crept past Danny Wells at the far post. Fever were rocked by this, but held firm and started playing some good football, keeping the ball in Feltham’s half for long periods. Five minutes before half time the home side, playing at Cutteslowe Park for a change, scored the equaliser that their build-up play deserved, Stuart Burson charging into the box to blast the ball home. The half-time score was 1-1.

About ten minutes after half-time Fever took the lead following a spell of decent football. This time, last season’s leading scorer, John Matthews, was on hand to prod the ball home from close range. Then Fever’s luck changed when the visitors were harshly awarded a penalty for handball, despite the ball striking Martin Brodetsky’s shoulder. The penalty was clinically converted by Feltham’s No. 8, who looked the best player on the park. Almost immediately Feltham took the lead again, as poor marking from a corner allowed a Cowboy to ghost in and smash the ball home.

Despite this setback, Fever continued battling. A handball decision went against Feltham, and RF were awarded a penalty. John Matthews stepped up, but put his kick too close to Steve Sharpe in the Feltham goal, who saved with his feet. However, Fever continued to press, and they were rewarded when Burson, looking suspiciously offside (but there were no linesmen to make a decision), smashed the ball past Steve.

Three-all was a fair reflection of the game, and the sides were talking about the possibility of a penalty shoot-out when another defensive lapse allowed Feltham in to score what looked like the winner. However, some excellent interplay between Burson and guest player Simon Cant set Burson free and he was blatantly tripped inside the area. This time Matthews made no mistake with the spot kick, placing it just inside the post to his left. This left the final score at 4-4, and both teams went home happy. Especially Feltham, who were stopping at the White Horse in Wycombe on their way back to London.

Raging Fever:Danny Wells, Nick Holloway, Rob Muskett, James Simpson, Martin Brodetsky, James Longshaw, Dominic Crowder, Stuart Burson, Steve Gilbert, John Matthews, Simon Cant.

Goals: Burson 2, Matthews 2