Raging Fever 3 Burton Albion Fans 0

Report by George Dugdale

Fever renewed acquaintances with their Burton Albion counterparts on a warm morning in Horspath. Having notched double figures in the away fixture, Fever were confident of a victory, despite Albion's improved performances of late.

The fixture in August was contested on a pitch that had far too much grass, so it was perhaps appropriate that this one took place on a solid surface with even less greenery than the average Fever player's diet.

Fever, sporting their blue away kit, started the game on the front foot with Dickon Ceadel and Paul Soper dominating the midfield. George Dugdale found acres of space on the right wing and James Longshaw was inches away from converting his low cross early on.

Despite the early Fever dominance, it was Burton who were next to threaten. A deep corner was met by the head of Albion's centre half, but he could only divert the ball onto the bar under pressure from two Fever defenders.

Having offered little protection to his goal in the earlier fixture, Fever were surprised to come up against a goalkeeper in fine form. The visitor's stopper got a hand to a Dickon Ceadel volley to miraculously turn the ball around the post, before pulling off a similarly impressive save as Ceadel got his head to Dugdale's resultant corner.

The firm surface had already claimed Andy Clyde's hamstring as a victim and soon inflicted further damage on James Longshaw. After landing heavily, Longshaw was left with a bloodied graze on his back. Breaking with recent winger traditions, Longshaw was not reduced to tears.

James Parker did well to block a deflected effort late in the half, meaning that the four-strong crowd witnessed a rare goalless half of IFA football.

Fortunately, they weren't to be disappointed for long. Albion failed to deal with Pat Wehmeier's ball into the box and having seen two firm efforts blocked previously, Ceadel was delighted to see a scuffed effort deflect in off a defender.

It wasn't long before Fever doubled their advantage. Dugdale's in-swinging corner was met by the unmarked Ceadel at the back post to notch his second of the game.

Burton responded well to this double blow and were camped in the Fever box for a sustained period of time. Very rarely do Fever have a height advantage over their opponents but the home defence put this to good use to repel an aerial bombardment.

Much like in the First Team fixture later in the day, Burton were reduced to 9 men at points as players struggled to live with the conditions.

Fever then extended their lead through a familiar combination. A Dugdale corner was once more met by the forehead of Ceadel who rifled his header into the back of the net to complete his hat-trick. Burton will not have have fond memories of the central midfielder, having seen Ceadel score five goals in two fixtures against them this year.

Very rarely do Fever keep a clean sheet and this was only preserved thanks to several excellent saves from 'keeper Parker in the closing stages.

This was a pleasing victory for a Fever side against opposition who were far more formidable opponents than the season's opener had suggested. To complete a good day for Fever, the first team repeated the trick in the afternoon. However, if Harry Worley were able to replicate Ceadel's goalscoring form from set-pieces, it would be appreciated by all at Fever.