Report by Nick Wehmeier

Raging Fever 5 Stevenage Fans 1

With manager John Matthews away on international duty, Nick Holloway stepped into his shoes for this fixture against the Stevenage supporters team. Holloway had been victorious in his previous game in charge and so was looking to maintain his 100 per cent record.

Fever certainly started well and raced into an early lead. A good move down the right wing involving Thom Airs and Nick Wehmeier saw the ball find its way to Dan Pear on the edge of the box. Pear took on the defender and finished with a low shot into the corner.

Despite their strong start Fever didn't have things all their own way in the first half and had to withstand some strong Stevenage pressure, with centre back Kayvan defending solidly and goalkeeper Paul Soper being forced into making some fine saves. Both teams had their share of goal chances but the score at the break remained one nil.

Shortly after the interval, however, Fever extended their lead. Paul Lucas made good progress down the left wing and crossed into the box for James Longshaw, who was presented with a simple finish at the far post which even he couldn't miss.

If Oxford thought the game was now theirs, though, they were mistaken, as Stevenage found a way back in through a defensive mix up which saw them punished, as Soper was lobbed.

The game could now have gone either way, but fortunately for the home side it went the way of the Fever as they scored the next goal. Nick Wehmeier picked up the ball on the edge of the box and, with little space, manufactured a turn past his defender before firing past the keeper with a low shot from a tight angle.

This goal gave the Fever boys confidence and they went on to grab another two, firstly through Dan Pear, who slotted home for his second after picking up a through ball from Pat Wehmeier, and finally from Nick Wehmeier, also grabbing his brace, stabbing home from close range at a corner. There was just enough time in the game for Dan Pear to miss a penalty and his chance for a hat-trick, with the Stevenage keeper saving well from 12 yards.

Fever (and especially stand-in gaffer Holloway) were glad to come away from this game with a win, which was harder work than the scoreline might suggest.

Fever: Paul Soper, George Dugdale, Rob Milne, Kayvan, Paul Lucas, Nick Holloway, Pat Wehmeier, Dan Pear, Will, Thom Airs, Nick Wehmeier, James Simpson, James Longhaw, Nick

Goals: Dan Pear (2), Nick Wehmeier (2), James Longshaw