Raging Fever 4 Feltham Cowboys 5

Raging Fever kicked off the new season with a thrilling game against Feltham Cowboys. Still hurting from their 5-0 defeat in the previous season's fixture, the Londoners gained revenge in the cruellest of fashion.

Fever were down to eleven players for this fixture, with several players rumoured to be stranded in Sheffield, still trying to find a way out of Rotherham United's Don Valley stadium.

The match began at a frantic pace, with neither side able to retain possession for any significant period of time. It took a moment of confusion for the first goalscoring opportunity to arise, with Feltham presented with a great opportunity to open the scoring. A Cowboys attacker surged into the area and collapsed under supposed pressure from Fever defenders. Referee Steve Sharpe (who should definitely not be referred to as a better looking Keith Chegwin) pointed to the spot and James Parker was sent the wrong way from the resultant penalty kick.

Fever's problems were doubled moments later. Feltham's tall striker was a handful throughout the match and his left-footed finish left Parker helpless.

As appears typical this weekend, the Londoners were running riot, with Fever struggling to prevent Feltham's striker from bringing his team-mates into play at every opportunity. A fine move, in which the aforementioned player was heavily involved, resulted in Feltham's central midfielder bursting down the flank, before bending a shot around Parker in the Fever goal.

This acted as a wake-up call for a Fever side who were frustrated by their lack of quality in the first half. The pace of Simon Cant, himself a Feltham player, caught the Cowboys out moments before half-time. Cant knocked the ball past his defender and was unceremoniously upended. For reasons nobody can quite explain, the responsibility fell to George Dugdale, who put a miserable first half performance behind him to tuck the penalty home.

Fever gathered themselves at half-time and looked to make the most of the slope in the second half. Almost immediately, Dugdale's through-ball found Cant at the back post. The striker thumped his left-footed volley past the advancing Feltham goalkeeper into the top right corner. Fever were back in the game.

The next period of the game saw significant Fever pressure as they home side looked to draw level. Dugdale was using the wind to swing his corners under the Feltham cross bar and having seen one effort palmed away by the goalkeeper, was frustrated to see his next effort thump off the crossbar.

This was the first of several interventions by the woodwork. Cant came agonisingly close to doubling his tally as he thumped Russell McSweeney's through-ball onto the crossbar. Moments later, Dugdale drove narrowly over the bar from range. This attempt was bettered by William 'Gobby' Gale who saw his drive bounce down from the crossbar onto the goal-line, before being hooked to safety.

Fever were becoming increasingly frustrated by the resilience of Feltham, with the visiting goalkeeper making some fine saves to deny John Matthews and Cant. As Fever pushed more men forward, Feltham launched a counter-attack to restore a two goal advantage. Cowboys advanced down the left and the ball was squared for the troublesome striker to thump home.

The men in yellow rallied once more and were camped in the Feltham half as the game entered the final ten minutes. After a great deal of frustration, John Matthews tried his luck from outside the area and was rewarded with a large slice of luck. His shot deflected off the head of a Feltham defender, before looping over the stranded goalkeeper.

Fever had the momentum and finally drew level in the last minute. McSweeney, carrying an injury from earlier in the game, jinked through several Feltham players on the left flank before curling his shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

With only second remaining, it looked like Fever had salvaged an unlikely draw. However, Feltham were to have the last laugh. A through-ball caught the Fever back line square and the tall striker slid a low effort past Parker to complete his hat-trick and steal the victory for Feltham.

A thrilling game, but one that was highly frustrating for Fever's players. Matches against Feltham are always enjoyable affairs, but the gloating from certain Cowboys over the next year may place a certain strain on the relationship.

Fever: James Parker, Andy Clyde, Robb Milne, Stuart Burson, George Dugdale, William 'Gobby' Gale, Russell McSweeney, James Longshaw, John Matthews, Simon Cant.

Goals: Dugdale (pen), Cant, Matthews, McSweeney.