Shrewsbury ?Away? Fans FC 4 Raging Fever FC 2

Oxford United?s fans team put in a battling performance but could not avoid yet another defeat – their ninth in twelve outings this season – in their first ever visit to Shrewsbury. As usual Fever started brightly but could not translate their superiority into goals, with only a handful of long-range shots, notably from Dan and Nicky Pear, to show for their efforts.

Shrewsbury were creating chances but rarely threatening Danny Wells in the Oxford goal, until a crazy ten minute period towards the end of the first half, which saw the home team bag four goals in quick succession. On three occasions the Yellows’ defence allowed a ball from the Shrews midfield to pass through / over / around them (delete as applicable), with confident finishes being applied by the grateful, unchallenged forwards. The fourth was from the penalty spot after Martin Brodetsky was adjudged to have tripped his opposite number in the box, despite vociferous protestations to the contrary on his part. [It were never a penalty, honest – MB]

On a very warm day, fielding a young line-up, with no substitutes available and kicking up the steep slope in the second half, RF?s cause looked hopeless, with another rout seemingly inevitable. Indeed, just after the restart Nicky Pear trod on the ball on the edge of his own area and was very relieved to see the Shrews forward spurning the chance to increase the lead yet further.

However, as the half wore on the Oxford fans battled back into the game, with Domi Crowder and Dan Pear taking control of the midfield. Shrews were reduced to very hopeful long balls, none of which troubled the Fever defence. As the pressure started to tell on the home goal, RF benefited from a stroke of luck as a Shrews defender was unfortunate to see the ball bounce up and hit his hand in the penalty area while attempting to clear his lines. John Matthews converted the spot kick with some style, and then reduced the deficit yet further with a rasping volley from the edge of the area; a goal that would have graced any football match.

Fever now had the bit between their teeth, and the chances came thick and fast. Simon Eddy volleyed just over the goal from a tight angle; Dan Pear crashed a fine header against the bar; and Jon Brown had a late volley, which was arrowing towards the top corner, cleared off the line by a Shrews head. But it was not to be, and in the meantime Gary Butler, who had switched with Wells in the Fever nets, made just about the only genuine save of the match in tipping a Shrews shot round the post.

Ultimately Raging Fever will feel that this was a match they could and should have won, but after finding themselves so far adrift at the interval, they will take great heart from a spirited comeback in what is probably their last competitive match of the season.

RF team: Danny Wells, Martin Brodetsky, Gary Butler, Pat Wehmeier, Nicky Pear, Domi Crowder, Dan Pear, Simon Eddy, Jon Brown, Nick Wehmeier, John Matthews

Goals: Matthews 2 (1 pen)