Report by Pat Wehmeier

Worthing 2 Raging Fever 12

With OUFC away at Crawley today, Raging Fever looked around for a suitable opponent nearby. Thanks must go to Nick Courtnadge and his Worthing Fans Team for providing the opposition on a “neutral” ground in nearby Horsham. The Worthing boys are known to us from the Ian Younger's in Glasgow and are a decent bunch.

The match kicked off some 10 minutes late due to Nicolas Lucas' train from Namur being delayed and his namesake Paul Lucas faffing about in the changing rooms!

A boggy pitch awaited Fever and didnt look conducive to suiting a passing game, which Fever don't really have anyway!

Fever got off to a dream start and were ahead in all of 25 seconds (Longshaw reffing at the time confirmed this on the stopwatch). Courtnadge in the Worthing goal kicked the ball straight to the feet of Matthews who had the simple task of rolling the ball back into the unguarded net.

Fever dominated the early exchanges and some good wing play by Pat Wehmeier put a cross right onto the head of Matthews who sadly headed wide.

However, some sloppy play from Fever soon allowed Worthing to equalise with a neat finish.

Fever quickly restored their lead, as a long punt upfield from Geoff Carter was flicked in by Muskett's head (did he get a touch?).

Fever were soon 4-1 up with 2 more goals in quick succession. A poor mix up just before half time by two of the four Nicks on the pitch, Holloway and Lucas, allowed a Worthing forward to nip in and round 'Big James' to make the half time score 4-2. Fever were disappointed, they could and should have been more goals up.

The 2nd half was much better and a combination of some decent play and Worthing tiredness made the final score 12-2 to Fever. The gap in class had shown in the end.

As there were so many goals, I cannot remember the order of goals or how all the goals were scored, so here is a list of the scorers and some of the goals I can remember. [Editor's note: This didn't happen when I wrote about our 12-4 win at Burton!]

Matthews 4 – Back in the team and back to his predatory finishing instincts. Let's hope “Ravanelli” can go on for another couple of years yet!

Muskett 3 – Playing in the home town of his wife and inlaws, who had come to watch, the striker was inspired to notch a hat-trick.

Longshaw 2 – Two neat left foot finishes from the man known as Longshanks.

Nicky Pear 1 – A neat finish after a shot had been blocked on the line

Danny Pear 1

Theo Dominian 1 – The goal of the game – a rifled 20 yard finish with his right foot. Yes, it's not just for standing on…

So, all in all, a good run out for Fever. What a shame the afternoon game saw another total capitulation by the lads!

Thanks to Nick Courtnadge and his Worthing lads, who were a decent bunch. We hope to lock horns with them again someday and also hope to take part in their annual 6 a side. Fever on Tour by the seaside perhaps…

Thanks also to Nicolas from Namur. Shame you saw such a dismal game in the afternoon mate!

Onwards and upwards.

Fever: James Parker, Nicky Pear, Geoff Carter, Paul Lucas, Nicolas Lucas, Nick Wehmeier, Pat Wehmeier, James Longshaw, Rob Muskett, Theo Dominian, Danny Pear, Nick Holloway, John Matthews.

Goals: Mathhews (4), Muskett (3), Longshaw (2), N Pear, D Pear, Dominian