Oxford University Press 3 Raging Fever 1

George Dugdale

Russell McSweeney

Raging Fever returned to action with a disappointing defeat at the hands of Oxford University Press on a sunny morning at Jordan Hill.

The Oxford side have been out of action since the summer tournaments and the rust was evident throughout a scrappy first half. With no goalkeepers available, Fever took the opportunity to use three outfield players between the sticks throughout the game. Fortunately, the first thirty minute spell passed without any danger. Winger George Dugdale was the first to don the 'smurf blue' shirt and remained largely untested in the opening half hour. Despite the perfect playing surface, the game itself was scrappy and frantic with neither side able to control the midfield.

Fever escaped phase one of operation makeshift goalkeeper without damage and striker John Matthews took charge of the gloves as half time approached. OUP came the closest to testing the Fever stopper, but their striker volleyed wide from a tight angle.

There had been plenty of endeavour in the first half, but very little quality to fill a match report with. There isn't much to grasp in terms of plot up to this point. Fever had no goalkeepers. OUP had no shots on target. Fever had no shots. Still with us?

Thankfully, the second half was a more exciting affair. Fever midfielder Russell McSweeney volleyed narrowly over the bar from a tight angle, but it wasn't long before he broke the deadlock. Fever worked the ball through midfield and McSweeney had time to drill a low shot past the OUP goalkeeper.

At this point, Fever grew in confidence and it looked like the only side who were going to win the game were the visitors. Stuart Burson and McSweeney were controlling the midfield, while Fever were having success on the flanks. OUP twice came close to putting the ball into their own net from Dugdale crosses from the right, while Nick Wehmeier dragged a shot wide when well placed.

Fever made it through to the hour mark with the lead intact and the final goalkeeper, centre-back and occasional striker Robb Milne took his place between the posts.

It was at this point that things began to go wrong. Fever's defence had timed the offside trap well all game, but were suddenly being beaten easily by a home side who were growing in confidence. This soon proved costly as a ball through the midfield caught Fever sleeping and the OUP striker beat both defender and goalkeeper to the ball to poke home.

OUP were one of the nicer sides you could wish to face, even overruling their own referee's decision at one point, but the nature of Fever's performance was more generous than it ever should have been. OUP were winning the 50/50 challenges, passing the ball with confidence and looking a threat whenever they attacked.

The hosts took the lead with twenty minutes remaining as their winger skipped past Andy Clyde and scooped an effort over Milne in the Fever goal.

The writing was on the wall for Fever when the publishers scored a third minutes later. The ball was passed into the midfield and OUP had time to slip the ball through to the same winger who slotted home at the near post.

Fever slowly got their act together in the closing stages, but it was to be too little too late. A neat interchange between goalkeepers Matthews and Dugdale, now playing up front and on the wing, resulted in the latter racing clear but the OUP goalkeeper got a firm hand to divert a dinked effort clear of danger.

Fever will face better sides than OUP this season and will have to play much better than this to get results. Despite the disappointment, it is good to have the Oxford United fans' team back on the field. Fever will look to return to form when they are visited by the ever impressive West Brom in October.

Fever: George Dugdale, Paul Lucas, Nick Holloway, Robb Milne, Geoff Carter, James Longshaw, Russell McSweeney, Stuart Burson, Aron McIver, Ben Meckiff, Andy Clyde.

Goal: McSweeney