Ventolin Inhalers produced one of their legendary performances to end a mixed season on a serious high with a stunning 4-3 victory against in form Hammers FC. What made the result all the more remarkable was that Ventolin played the whole of the second half with only four players. We have just heard on the late news wire that Ventolins last gasp goal actually prevented them from being relegated after a series of freak results this evening.
Ventolin approached the game in a slightly apprehensive manner, due to the enforced absences of strike partners John Archdeacon and Loz Robinson who were both unavailable due to prior work commitments. Having been unable to secure any replacements Ventolin headed to Stanley Deeson in the hope they could recruit a fifth player there, which they did, albeit a goalkeeper for the first half only.
Ventolin started brightly with some good early possession, and could have taken the lead when Plass saw his early shot well saved by the hammers keeper. Dain then found Plass with a neat square ball, which Plass struck first time, only to see the keeper make another fine save. At the other end Hammers went close only for new keeper Moggs to make a couple of excellent saves.
Ventolin did finally take the lead after more good work from Plass found Dain wide on the left, cutting inside he slipped a ball inside for Ross, who having made his run made no mistake, unleashing a cultured drive past the keeper and into the Hammers net. 1-0.
This seemed to inspire the Hammers who pushed forward, from one of these attacks and the resulting corner, their rangy striker, beat two players before driving the ball from distance hard past the Ventolin keeper. 1-1.
With the half drawing to a close, and with Ventolin on top Plass made it 2-1 Ventolin. Playing a quick one-two with Ross, Plass found himself clear and finished in style.
Ventolin's half time involved the stand in keeper having to leave and the remaining four deciding that Plass would play a sweeper/keeper role, which had worked so well once before.
Hammers looked on, salivating at the enforced changes to the Inhalers line up.
Hammers kicked off and were immediately on the attack and very nearly equalised were it not for a stunning save by Plass, who somehow managed to get his leg to a shot that looked destined for the bottom corner. With Barton playing a lone role up front and dain and ross sitting reasonably deep, Ventolin were able to retain more possession than might have seemed likely with a man less. Using Plass as an additional outfield player was unsettling the Hammers and enabling Ventolin to launch attacks of their own. Ross went close with a long shot, and Dain saw a shot tipped wide, at the other end Hammers were rushing any chances they had, when more control would have certainly seen them equalise.
Ventolin then made it 3-1 after more excellent build up play, first plass found dain who played it wide to ross, who in turn laid it back inside to Plass, he then switched it wide to Dain who was progressing into the Hammers half, cutting the ball back inside for Barton who survived a lucky bobble to find himself clear of the last defender. Barton then finished in style driving the ball low under the keepers despairing dive. 3-1.
Incredibly Ventolin had increased their lead when outnumbered. This though seemed to spark the Hammers into life, and with the very next attack, made it 3-2. After some hesitency in the Ventolin defence, the Hammers striker muscled his way into the box, where he fired the ball past Plass. Ventolin were beginning to visibly tire now , and as a result were finding themselves under increasing pressure. Several chances went begging when a calm head in front of goal would surely have seen an equaliser. Ventolin were still causing problems though, winning several free kicks in the Hammers half after some clumsy challenges, this not only provided opportunity for Ventolin to attack the Hammers goal, but also used up more time, something Hammers were beginning to run out of.
Once again Hammers pushed forward only this time Barton made a fine challenge, before dain cleared the ball out of danger. Ross then made another great tackle before Plass made another astonishing save, this time with his hands. It looked like ventolin had weathered the storm and then disaster. Hammers played the ball down the wing for their striker to run across too, in a race with barton he found himself clear, dain couldnt get across and Plass who had sprinted from goal, all looked on as he steered the ball from wide into the empty net. 3-3 and with only 2 minutes on the clock it looked like the Hammers might have escaped with a draw.
Ventolin were determined not to lose now after playing so well and managing to remain in the game for so long with only 4 players. Their efforts were soon to recieve an unexpected boost.
As fortune would have it Hammers were themselves then reduced to four players when Dain found plass high up the pitch, only for the hammers player to scythe him down. A dangerous tackle and as the last man, it could only mean a red card for the hapless hammer.
This sent shockwaves through the hammers team and certainly reduced their ability to form any meaningful attacking threat. From the next goal kick ventolin produced the moment of the match. plass from goal played a ball to dain, he slipped it straigh back to plass, before moving up the pitch, seeing his run Plass angled the ball forward and wide, where Dain held the ball up, before slotting a perfect pass inside the defender, for Plass who had continued his run, to collect the pass with a single touch before stroking the ball home in some style. 4-3 Ventolin.
Ventolin celebrated briefly and then rushed back to defend for a final time, knowing there would be barely time for Hammers to kick off. And so it proved as the refereee blew his whistle the moment hammers played the ball forward and the ball went straight into touch.
And that was it. the end of a memorable match that left everyone playing and watching knowing they had witnessed something out of the Ventolin book of legend. A stunning victory at the death after playing the second half with only four players.
For ventolin it proved once again that even in adversity with belief and spirit you can achieve more than you sometimes think is possible, tonight was one of those ocassions.
Manager Tony Dain was thrilled by his teams efforts, and the fact that they continued to pass the ball and try and retain possession even when outnumbered. Dain himself weighed in with 3 assists after some fine passing moves and was pleased to contribute to the team performance.
Man of the match Joe Plass was also ecstatic, after he not only scored two goals, he made several excellent key saves at the other end too.
With Ross once again adding another goal to his already impressive statistics, and Barton again showing he is more than just a great keeper, it really was a superb all round performance to end the season on.
Victory has also ensured Ventolin retain their premiership status after what has been a strangely topsy turvy season. With defeats to VFL Wolfpack who have now won their first premiership title, Fairlight and Kezwaldos, all disappointing, they could also be proud of two excellent victories against High & Mighty and Hammers FC. The two other games involved a no show and a cancellation, both of which added to the slightly disjointed feel to this seasons campaign.
Roll on the new season!
