Its been a season of ups and downs for Fever in a season where they were in as the team to beat having finished 3rd last season.
The season started brightly at home to INT's, thumping them 5-0 with the new boys up front, Alex Rowe and Peter Sheerin both getting their names on the scoresheet within 10minutes.
Away to HBC saw Fever crash back down to earth losing 3-2, in a game that could've gone either way from a neutrals perspective.
Possibly one of the worst games in recent history followed, a 4-1 thumping vs SISC at home on St.Patrick's day, where Fever players would've been better off not having turned up in the first place despite taking the league.
The time to bounce back came vs new boys, EWHA United, who went ahead after 30seconds. Gareth Fannin scored a freak goal and later put the boys in the lead with a great volley that trickled in off the post. At 2-2, Alex Rowe's cheeky back heel put Fever back in front, with him having scored in all of his games for Fever so far, until EWHA struck twice at the death. Dead and not buried, the captain himself, Filip Pusnik whipped in an excellent free kick and the last touch of the game was a bullet of a header from another new boy, Simon Williamson, rescuing a point and keeping the hunt for promotion alive.
The much anticipated win came at last at home to MSFC, in a game that should've been over after the first period. 0-0 it was, with Fever having dominated, Pusnik coming closest with an excellent bicycle kick that went inches wide. Despite winning 3-1, a poor refereeing decision saw the second red card in Fever history being handed out to last seasons player of the season, Gareth Fannin who was sent for an early shower after 2 'bookable' offences.
Old foes renewed ties once again, and Seohyeon Celtic were the next team to face Fever, having had an unsuccessful season in the first division. Pusnik put Fever ahead early on, and against all odds, a second red card in 2 games was produced. Simon Williamson made a tackle that no critic has been able to criticise to date, and dubious refereeing saw him sent off after 23 minutes. The giant man was not happy and neither were his team mates.
Life without Williamson continued with a convincing 6-2 thrashing of Wanoo's away in a rescheduled match, with Alex Rowe cementing his place in Fever history with 5 goals.
Many pluses have come out of the first half of the season, but Dennis Byrne will still feel that there is a long way to go before his men are the complete article. The newboys have all been welcome additions with Rowe storming his way up to the top of the leagues goalscoring charts and defenders, Williamson and Kempson arguably becoming the first 2 names on Byrne's teamsheet. The disciplinary record leaves a lot left to be desired with the league this week announcing sanctions to dock teams points for excessive amounts of cards. This is something that surely will be cleaned up in the coming weeks.
Matchday 8 sees Fever travel to INT's, who have yet to beat Fever in 3 meetings to date. This fixture last season will be remembered for the swamp like conditions, where Pallos Leventes brace, one at the beginning and one right at the death helped Fever cruise to victory and claim 3 well deserved points despite an INT's fight back.
Lets hope for 3 points and that this second half siege is more successful than last time around.
Viva Fever
The season started brightly at home to INT's, thumping them 5-0 with the new boys up front, Alex Rowe and Peter Sheerin both getting their names on the scoresheet within 10minutes.
Away to HBC saw Fever crash back down to earth losing 3-2, in a game that could've gone either way from a neutrals perspective.
Possibly one of the worst games in recent history followed, a 4-1 thumping vs SISC at home on St.Patrick's day, where Fever players would've been better off not having turned up in the first place despite taking the league.
The time to bounce back came vs new boys, EWHA United, who went ahead after 30seconds. Gareth Fannin scored a freak goal and later put the boys in the lead with a great volley that trickled in off the post. At 2-2, Alex Rowe's cheeky back heel put Fever back in front, with him having scored in all of his games for Fever so far, until EWHA struck twice at the death. Dead and not buried, the captain himself, Filip Pusnik whipped in an excellent free kick and the last touch of the game was a bullet of a header from another new boy, Simon Williamson, rescuing a point and keeping the hunt for promotion alive.
The much anticipated win came at last at home to MSFC, in a game that should've been over after the first period. 0-0 it was, with Fever having dominated, Pusnik coming closest with an excellent bicycle kick that went inches wide. Despite winning 3-1, a poor refereeing decision saw the second red card in Fever history being handed out to last seasons player of the season, Gareth Fannin who was sent for an early shower after 2 'bookable' offences.
Old foes renewed ties once again, and Seohyeon Celtic were the next team to face Fever, having had an unsuccessful season in the first division. Pusnik put Fever ahead early on, and against all odds, a second red card in 2 games was produced. Simon Williamson made a tackle that no critic has been able to criticise to date, and dubious refereeing saw him sent off after 23 minutes. The giant man was not happy and neither were his team mates.
Life without Williamson continued with a convincing 6-2 thrashing of Wanoo's away in a rescheduled match, with Alex Rowe cementing his place in Fever history with 5 goals.
Many pluses have come out of the first half of the season, but Dennis Byrne will still feel that there is a long way to go before his men are the complete article. The newboys have all been welcome additions with Rowe storming his way up to the top of the leagues goalscoring charts and defenders, Williamson and Kempson arguably becoming the first 2 names on Byrne's teamsheet. The disciplinary record leaves a lot left to be desired with the league this week announcing sanctions to dock teams points for excessive amounts of cards. This is something that surely will be cleaned up in the coming weeks.
Matchday 8 sees Fever travel to INT's, who have yet to beat Fever in 3 meetings to date. This fixture last season will be remembered for the swamp like conditions, where Pallos Leventes brace, one at the beginning and one right at the death helped Fever cruise to victory and claim 3 well deserved points despite an INT's fight back.
Lets hope for 3 points and that this second half siege is more successful than last time around.
Viva Fever