Raging Fever’s first game of the new season saw them beaten 7-4 by their Shrewsbury counterparts, a result that perhaps doesn’t totally reflect the level of play. In the end it was the visitors superior fitness that told, this being their fourth game of the new campaign already, and they have yet to be beaten.

Shrewsbury took an early lead, but Fever equalised midway through the first half after an excellent run by Domi Crowder saw him beat three players before setting up John Matthews with a simple goal. Unfortunately Fever were unable to maintain parity, and the teams went in at half-time with Shrewsbury 3-1 ahead, their second coming from a penalty.

In the second half Shrewsbury pulled further ahead before a Gary Silver penalty made the score 4-2. Another Shrewsbury goal followed but an excellent long-range shot from Pat Wehmeier again pegged the scores back. In an end-to-end encounter the Shropshire lads scored yet another penalty, but Simon Eddy bundled the ball into the net from a corner. Silver’s initial shot was handled on the line, but the referee allowed the follow-up goal to stand. The score was now 6-4, but Shrewsbury cruelly scored again in the final minute.

RF: Joel Harrison, Martin Brodetsky, Gary Butler, Geoff Carter, Pat

Wehmeier, Simon Eddy, Bob, Domi Crowder, Steve Gilbert, John Matthews, Gary

Silver, Andy Clyde, Jon Brown, Chris Dammers, Dave Crabtree

Goals: Matthews, Silver (pen), Wehmeier, Eddy