Raging Fever 0 Northampton Town 1

Raging Fever fired a blank as they slumped to a home defeat to Northampton Town.

Despite the rest of Oxfordshire being underwater, Horspath's pitches were playable and Fever started the game well. Nick Holloway's friend, or Australian Phil as he is better known, provided a lively outlet at the top of the pitch and Fever were quick to any loose balls.

The hosts failed to turn their possession into chances and the Cobblers began to get a foothold midway through the half. James Parker saved well to keep the scores level, before Russell McSweeney fired wide at the other end.

The quality of the game was poor and with the pitch holding up fairly well, the conclusion has to be that it was the players' fault. Who'd have thought it?

The second half saw more goalmouth action and Fever spurned two fabulous chances to take the lead early in the half. A surging McSweeney run released Pat Wehmeier in the penalty area, but his low effort skidded narrowly wide of the left-hand post. Minutes later a cross was diverted into the path of James Longshaw by the Northampton goalkeeper, but his scuffed effort bobbled wide of the target.

This was to be the winger's last involvement in the game as a hamstring explosion resulted in much limping.

The visitors made the most of this fortune as they took the lead midway through the half. A high clearance from the Cobblers' goalkeeper was allowed to bounce by the Fever defence and although Holloway did well to block the route to goal, the striker squared the ball for his partner to tuck home from close-range.

It could have been two minutes later as the striker attempted to return the favour, but his partner had strayed into an offside position.

Fever's best chance of the game fell to Rob Hatcher, who has played for Northampton against Fever before but is actually an Oxford fan. His left-footed effort from the edge of the area thumped against the post as the hosts' last chance disappeared.

Fever: James Parker, Pat Wehmeier, Nick Holloway, Robb Milne, Nick Wehmeier, George Dugdale, Stuart Burson, Rob Hatcher, James Longshaw, Russell McSweeney, 'Australian Phil', Geoff Carter, Simeon Bean.