Second in the table Ventolin Inhalers had to settle for a share of the points in an exciting end to end 2-2 encounter with AC Hummous, who belied their position at the bottom of the table with a barn storming performance against the in form Inhalers.
Ventolin were forced to reshape their line up after strikers John Archdeacon and Lawrence Lon both failed late fitness tests leaving the Inhalers with a bare five for a game they were aiming to win. This did though mean an Inhalers debut for new signing Ian Moggs, an experienced defender, who last played football some six years ago. Although before this had played regularly at a good standard for Witney Town.
The starting line up of Barton, Plass, Dain, Moggs and Ransom, while full of quality and experience was worryingly lacking any out and out strikers, would this forced change have a bearing on the game?
The game started at a frantic pace, With AC Hummous, a big strong and quick side putting the Inhalers under early pressure, forcing them onto the back foot, and who were struggling to find an outlet to get out of their own half. Only a combination of tenacious defending, and several good early saves by Barton prevented AC Hummous from taking the lead. The Inhalers regrouped, and now began to assert themselves, getting the ball down and playing the ball around more confidently, Plass was seeing much more of the ball and finding his team mates with a series of good passes, creating space further forward where Ransom and Dain were now finding themsleves with opportunities to open the scoring.
It wasn't long before the Inhalers took the lead after good combination play between Ransom and Dain, which culminated with Dain curling the ball into the far corner of the net after being played clear by Ransom. The game resumed with the same intensity, with both teams playing some good football and creating several further opportunities to add to the score. AC Hummous then did just that and what a goal it was. After receiving the ball about 20 yards from goal, the AC Striker, side stepped last defender moggs, before unleashing a blistering left foot drive into the top right hand corner of Bartons goal.
New signing Moggs was enjoying the run out, although coming to terms with the fact that 6 years of not playing and game of high intensity pitch invasion are not easy bed fellows. A well earned rest was required and due to a sub being recruited minutes before the game started a breather was possible.
As the clocked ticked towards half time supersub Aaron could have become an instant here with the Inhaler fans, when with the AC keeper out of his goal found himself clear, only to shoot wide of the goal. This was the last action of what had been an exciting half of football.
While the score reflected the even nature of an entertaining half, Ventolin felt that if they could keep the dangerous striker quiet they could certainly score some more goals themselves.
The second half continued in much the same way as the first attacking end to end football with chances for both teams. The only real question was who would take their chances and go on to win the match.
First Plass played Dain into space out wide, who surged forward firing a low drive from distance, that the AC keeper did well to Parry, also recovering well to foil Ransom's attempted follow up.
Plass and Dain again combined well, creating a good chance for Ransom who saw his first time effort comfortably saved. Plass then had another shot well saved before Ventolin made their final change of the night bringing back Moggs for the final quarter of the game. Ac continued to create chances themselves, although more on the counter attack as Ventolin were enjoying a greater share of the possession. Twice Barton folied AC in one on ones with their strikers. As they continued to impress, AC thought they had taken the lead when their goal getting striker profited from a fortunate bounce of the ball, in a challenge with Barton, leaving him clear and waiting for the ball to drop before taping into the empty net, only for Dain to hook the ball from under his nose and out of danger.
Ventolin were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when Plass was upended inside the area, only for the referee to wave play on. At the other end AC were pressing forward and from one of these attacks they took the lead. Again Ventolin were caught out slightly out in defence, allowing the scorer of AC's first goal the opportunity to rifle in his second of the match.
This galvanised the Inhalers who went straight on the attack, Plass burst clear only for the defender to make a last gasp tackle after chasing him down. After further pressure the Inhalers won a corner, from which keeper Barton saw his first time shot go narrowly wide.
Dain then found Plass who beat two men , and motioned to shoot only to square for Ransom who saw his shot well saved by the keeper. From the resulting corner Dain showed a piece of ingenuity chipping the corner high over the melee of players and into the path of Moggs who on the half volley, swept the ball home.
With the wind in their sails Ventolin pressed for a winner, coming close through Dain who hit a first time shot narrowly wide and Plass who again tested the keeper after good work from Ransom. This attacking style does of course leave gaps in the defence and AC finished with chances of their own, forcing Barton into a final series of saves before the referee called time on a game that could have gone either way or ended up 6-6 such was the attacking nature of these teams.
With better finishing Ventolin could have secured all three points. They will take some satisfaction from maintaining their unbeaten run and playing good football, although it may well be 2 points dropped in what could be a very close title race.
The post match concensus was of a pretty good all round performance , although Barton and Dain both stood out for their individual contributions.
Man of the Match Andy Barton felt his team were unlucky not get all three points as they created the better chances and did enough to win the game.
