Shrewsbury Town 3 Raging Fever 1

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Dougie07
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Shrewsbury Town 3 Raging Fever 1

Post by Dougie07 »

A few people mentioned that they would like to see reports on the forum as they aren't on the website at the moment. Here is this week's report...

Raging Fever were comfortably beaten by Shrewsbury in a game that saw the home side strengthen their position in the upper echelons of the IFA League.

On a damp morning, Fever were treated to their third excellent surface in consecutive away trips. The conditions suited passing football and both sides attempted to get the ball down whenever possible. However, it was also suitable for frogs and the game could only commence after George Dugdale had spent many minutes chasing the pitch invader around the centre circle.

With only a twelve man squad, John Matthews had to shuffle the Fever pack to avoid a top-heavy formation. Self-promoting centre-forward Rob Muskett was dismayed to find himself in the middle of the back line in the most significant change from recent weeks.

The match started at a frantic pace with both sides contesting firm, yet fair, challenges all over the field. Even the likes of Dugdale and Pat Wehmeier were able to cover their chronic lack of pace by covering the ground via their posteriors in committed sliding tackles.

The first clear cut chance fell Fever's way after excellent work by Matthews. The striker collected Dugdale's quick throw before volleying a pass into the path of the onrushing Dickon Ceadel. The central midfielder was forced to stretch for the ball and could only poke an effort over the bar.

Fever's makeshift back four were proving to be firm opposition and held an excellent line, much to the frustration of straying Shrews. When they looked to have been breached, there was always another man to rescue Fever from danger.

Shrewsbury possessed a significant aerial threat from set-pieces and it was from a corner that the home side eventually took the lead. A firm header was blocked on the line by the combination of James Parker and James Longshaw, before the former could only hook the ball into his own net as it slammed off the crossbar.

This was a game in which it felt as if the first goal could be crucial and it proved to be so in the second half.

Shrewsbury stepped up a gear and Fever were penned in their own half at the start of the second period. Several chances were squandered before the home side doubled their lead. Fever were unable to clear the ball with any significant distance and compounded the error by failing to tackle the man they had given the ball to. The Shrewsbury attacker danced in and out of the Fever defence, merrily watching the ball ricochet its way towards Parker's goal. Once more the ball was blocked on the line, before being slammed home at the second attempt.

The damage was soon increased by the confident 'Salop' side with a goal that combined the sublime with the ridiculous. Fever were awarded a throw in and by trying to take it quickly, only succeeded in giving it straight to the opposition striker with the defence out of shape. Unfortunately, the aforementioned attacker had the ability to dance past three Fever challenges before rifling the ball high into the net.

Just as it looked as if Fever were to be comprehensively beaten, they were able to make a rare foray into opposition territory. Dugdale was gifted the ball by Shrewsbury's otherwise imperious centre back, before sliding the ball down the line for Matthews. For the first time, the striker had open space in which to run and played the perfect ball into the path of emergency substitute Toby Pear. Pear, who had asked not to play due to wishing to avoid injury ahead of a final on Sunday, beat his marker to poke home. Pear limped away in celebration.
Dougie07
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Post by Dougie07 »

As the game looked to be ending without significant action, Parker redeemed his earlier error with a contender for save of the season. A floated effort looked destined for the very top corner, only for the 'keeper to fling himself to his left to claw the ball wide of the post. This save provoked applause from both sets of players and the pleasantries continued moments later as the referee brought an excellent game to an end.

A 3-1 defeat was no disgrace against possibly the strongest side Fever have played this season. Despite tensions being raised slightly in the afternoon's fixture, the two sides will look to build on their own friendly rivalry next season.

Fever: James Parker, Nicky Pear, Paul Soper, Rob Muskett, Pat Wehmeier, George Dugdale, James Simpson, Dickon Ceadel, James Longshaw, Nick Wehmeier, John Matthews, Toby Pear.

Goal: Toby Pear
jimmy p
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Post by jimmy p »

Dougie, bit miffed that you never mentioned that my finish was better than anything our forwards could manage :D :D
Dougie07
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Post by Dougie07 »

I'm trying to keep morale high!
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