Report by Nick Holloway

Raging Fever travelled north of the border to make their second appearance in Queen’s Park Supporters’ annual six-a-side tournament... and returned home clutching their first ever piece of silverware.

Held in the shadow of Glasgow’s Hampden Park, the event attracted 20 teams in the main competition and ten in the Masters’ tournament for the more (ahem!) ‘mature’ players. Fever entered a team in each; the youngsters forming an Anglo-Scottish alliance with a contingent from Motherwell FC (David, Andy, and Ross) and ringers Mike and James. The players had prepared in typical style the previous evening by sampling the local firewater during an enthusiastic exploration of Glaswegian nightlife.

Group stages
After changing in what is believed to be the world’s oldest football building – the pavilion at Lesser Hampden – both Oxford teams emerged hoping to be inspired by the ghosts of legendary players who once graced the famous stadium next door.

Those legends were spinning in their graves watching the lacklustre start that the combined Oxford-Motherwell side made to their campaign. ‘Oxwell’ fell behind to Shrewsbury Town in seconds, after a defensive mix-up allowed the opposition the freedom of Hampden to score. Things soon got worse when another goal seemed to put the result beyond the newly-formed team. They didn’t go down without a fight, though, with Nick Wehmeier replying from close range.

Oxwell bounced back against Nottingham Forest, beginning with a brace from Connolly. They didn’t get it all their own way, as Forest found a goal just before the interval. A Stuart Burson effort clinched the points, although the boys in red managed another consolation the score ended 3-2.

After other results, Oxwell knew they had to beat the Coasters of Oban to stay in the main cup. The ‘Well set about upsetting the Coasters’ attack, which worked for most of the first half until the team in blue broke through and took the lead. The second half was cagier, with Ross almost scrambling an equaliser. The Blues struck again to condemn our heroes to the Plate, a.k.a. the Losers’ Cup. Oxwell went into the last group game against the Queen’s Park Ladies’ side knowing they had to win or face utter humiliation. The males began well with Connolly finishing off a good team move. The ladies broke away and lashed a powerful leveller past Burson. James Longshaw atoned for an earlier miss by supplying Fraser, who found the net to seal a 2-1 victory.

The Masters’ team fared better in their group games. Goals from John Matthews, Robb Milne, and manager-for-the-day Rob Muskett saw off Ormond Saints 3-0, before a tougher encounter with Bristol Rovers was decided by strikes from Matthews and Muskett. The back line of Andy Clyde, Paul Soper, and Pat Wehmeier, ably assisted by James the goalie, were shutting out all-comers. A tight start in the next game, against Dulwich Hamlet, proved deceptive as Fever ran riot in the second half, overpowering their opponents 5-0 with a hat-trick from the clinical Muskett, a trademark Matthews finish, and a screamer from Wehmeier. Fever saved their best performance of the group stages till last, ironically in a losing cause. An unlucky own goal by Milne was scant reward for their efforts against an impressive St Mirren outfit, and it meant that they went through to the semi-finals as runners-up.

Knockout stages
In the Masters’ semi Fever took on Clyde, but neither team could make the breakthrough in a tense encounter, so it was down to penalties. Fever’s record in shoot-outs is on a par with England’s; indeed, as Milne blazed over the bar, those watching were reminded of Chris Waddle’s infamous Italia ’90 penalty miss. James the goalie then had his kick saved and it was all over. Another hard-luck story for Fever, and Muskett’s OAPs headed for a well-earned rest and a nice cup of cocoa.

Oxwell shrugged off their exit in the main tournament to challenge their fellow losers for the Plate. Rookie manager James Longshanks, memorably assisted by sidekick ‘Scottish John’, led his troops into the game against Rangers. The contest was very even and with chances at a premium one goal could decide it. That goal came when Fraser collected a Galloway pass and went on a mazey run which culminated in a turn and shot to send Oxwell into the quarter-final and a seemingly harder test against the ‘Scotspurs’ team of (you’ve guessed it) Scottish Spurs fans.

Talk before this game was of keeping it respectable after hearing of the team in white’s intimidating record. (They had been unfortunate to find themselves in the Plate having won three games, including a 5-0 thrashing of their previous opponents.) Manager Longshaw had other ideas though, going on a run down the wing and tucking the ball past the Spurs keeper to give the Yellows a sniff of an upset. Fraser sensed this, bagging his third goal in as many games from close range. Surely the ‘Well couldn’t lose this shock lead? The second half brought stern tests to 'keeper Cummings’ goal but he repelled all-comers. The score remained 2-0. Oxwell were in the semi finals.

The youngsters started to scent glory as they took on a determined and physical team from St. Johnstone. Fraser carried on his fine scoring run by blasting in an unstoppable shot to put the Yellows ahead. The lead did not last, as the Saints found a speculative equaliser, and just before half time they went in front from a fine passing move. All was not lost, though. Inspired by encouraging words from the lager-fuelled Scottish John, the Yellows replied straight from kick-off courtesy of Fraser. A Galloway free-kick then surprised everyone, most notably the Saints keeper, to complete a rapid turnaround. Fraser completed his hat-trick after a great one-two with Connolly that resulted in a cute backheeled finish. The Saints’ heads dropped, and Connolly then completed the scoring from close range. Oxwell had made it to the final!

And so it came to pass that the mongrel team Oxwell United had their first (and probably only) chance of silverware. Standing in their way were a youthful FC Troon side. The game began much like any final – tense. Fears were soon put to rest when Longshaw’s quick throw gave Wehmeier the chance to put the Yellows in the lead, which he duly took. As the second half began so did the rain, but this did not dampen the spirits of Fraser, who scored his now obligatory goal. Troon did not give up though and were rewarded when a dubiously-awarded corner found its way in. This allowed for a grandstand finale that saw the victory sealed in the final minute when substitute Ross converted at the back post. Manager Longshaw on the sidelines did the obligatory Chris Wilder Wembley slide! The full time whistle sparked jubilant scenes as Oxwell had won the Plate with a fine 3-1 win. News of Swindon’s play-off defeat at Wembley minutes earlier made the triumph all the sweeter.

Oxwell celebrate

An ecstatic Longshanks received the trophy, but his celebrations were short-lived as the Plate mysteriously vanished the following day en route to the airport. Longshanks was forced to abandon his plans for a victory parade around Botley in a Vauxhall Nova, and the Raging Fever trophy cabinet remains – for the moment at least – bare...

Raging Fever: James Cummings, Patrick Wehmeier, Andy Clyde, Paul Soper, Robb Milne, John Matthews, Rob Muskett, Nick Holloway

Goals: Muskett (5), Matthews (3), Milne, P Wehmeier

Oxwell United: James Cummings, Ross Galloway, Stuart Burson, David Fraser, Nick Wehmeier, Andy Ross, James Longshaw, Mike Connolly.

Goals: Fraser (7), Connolly (4), N Wehmeier (2), Longshaw, Ross, Burson, Galloway.