Raging Fever continued their dismal run of form in 2005, losing 5-1 to Northampton fans. The appearance of 18 players by kick-off caused a selection headache for the manager, but he started with the ?tried and tested? eleven that bother to turn up to away fixtures.

Playing into a gale force wind that did not favour the natural long-ball approach of Fever, the first 15 minutes were something of a farce, as the ball spent most of the time swirling in the air and neither side had any chances of note. After 20 minutes however, Northampton broke the deadlock with a neat move down the right wing culminating in a low shot to keeper Gary Butler?s right. This prompted five substitutions (there were 18 of us remember) and one of the replacements, Kasim, was unlucky to see his firm header saved. Just prior to half-time there were Feverish (geddit!) shouts for a penalty as the ball struck a Cobbler elbow, but the appeals were rightly waved away by the referee.

At half time a further three substitutions were made and the feeling was that playing with the wind in the second half gave us a great chance. These hopes were lifted when, ten minutes into the second period, Gary Neville struck a sweet 25-yard shot against the bar and Kasim?s follow-up shot struck another Cobbler arm. Once again the referee got it right ? this time giving the penalty, which Neville duly converted. The next ten minutes saw constant Fever pressure, with Steve Fuller integral in linking-up the play. Further substitutions were made, with many players coming back on for their second stint. Immediately Gary Silver put a volley just wide and John Matthews headed narrowly over from a corner. Further efforts from Silver, Neville, Andy Barr, and Pat Wehmeier were all well saved.

Fever came to rue the lack of a breakthrough when, in a rare Cobblers attack, a speculative shot took a deflection off Geoff Carter?s head and into the net. Two minutes later a mix-up in the Fever defence, as the ball held up in the wind, allowed the Cobblers to lob the Fever keeper, who was left stranded. Only two minutes later (again!) Butler had a ?blonde moment? and dropped a mediocre shot at the feet of a Cobblers striker, who duly netted. A horrible five minutes had passed in which a probable Fever win had become a certain loss.

Undeterred, Fever kept up the pressure they had previously enjoyed and forced a number of corners, but to no avail. Salt was rubbed into the wounds as the Cobblers found a fifth goal in the dying moments. The game was played in a great spirit, and Fever performed well despite the final scoreline, which flattered the visitors immensely. The fact that they voted their keeper Man of the Match rather than their striker who scored a hat-trick tells its own story? not that we?re bitter.

Fever Team: Gary Butler, Geoff Carter, Paul Soper, Pat Wehmeier, Nick Wehmeier, Martin Brodetsky, Domi Crowder, Nicky Pear, Gary Silver, John Matthews, Steve Fuller, Andy Barr, Paul Lucas, Steve Gilbert, Gary Neville, Kasim, Dan Pear, Luke Doffman.

Goals: Neville (pen)