Hammers smash and Grab leaves Ventolin stunned in 3-2 defeat!
Hammers FC ended Ventolins 10 game unbeaten run with a 3 goal second half salvo that left the misfiring inhalers with too big a mountain to climb.
As usual Ventolins' stubborn refusal to know when they are beaten, saw Tony Dain and Andy Barton both find the net, reducing the arrears to a single goal, ensuring a heart stopping final few minutes for both teams.
On this ocassion Ventolin were unable to score a third goal, with Loz going close at the end after a neat one two with Dain. This summed up Ventolins night, lots of good team play let down by a combination of poor finishing and some superb saves by the Hammers keeper.
The game started slowly, due to the humid conditions, with both sides content to play the ball around and seeing what each other had to offer. It was Ventolin who began to assume control of the half, and nearly took the lead after a pass from Dain, which found Archdeacon, who in turn tested the keeper with a low drive.
With Plass and Ross keeping things tight at the back it was Ventolin who were looking like they would soon take the lead, Loz made a great run down the left, crossed well, only to see Plass's shot turned around the post by the inform keeper.
Ross made another surging run forward, before unleashing a thunderbolt, that whistled just over the bar, Loz then took a quick throw finding Dain on the edge of the box, who struck a good first time shot, only to see the defender clear it off the line. There was still time for Ross to play in Loz who again saw the keeper deny him with another excellent save. HT 0-0.
The second half started in much the same way with Ventolin pressing forward and looking the likliest team to score, in fact the first goal was imminent. Plass won a 50-50 ball played in Dain who found archdeacon with a deft pass, clear on goal, unfortunately the keeper again came out on top making another good save. Hammers counter attacked at pace, ending with the big striker rifling the ball home from just inside the box.
This seemed to stun Ventolin who then made life doubly difficult when the defence went awol , leaving barton facing two Hammers players. They made no mistake 2-0. Ventolin were now on the rocks and it came as no surprise that the Hammers made it 3-0 after more poor marking left the Hammers striker alone to tap past Barton in the ventolin goal. Ventolin at last found their legendary spirit, surging forward once more, Loz saw his fine strike well saved, as did Ross who hit a fine angled drive. Plass then swept forward playing a ball into Dain, who instantly laid the ball off wide to Loz, who passed his man with ease and knocked the ball acorss to Dain who tapped home from 1 yard. 3-1.
Ventolin sensed their chance, pressing forward at every opportunity, Archdeacon played in Plass who again saw his shot parried by the keeper. Archdeacon then went close himself, before Loz hit another effort that the keeper somehow parried wide. From the resulting corner Ventolin keeper Barton stormed forward, meeting Joe's layback sweetly, firing it past his opposite number. 3-2 and 2 minutes left on the refs watch.
Ventolin sensed an equaliser, and with moments remaining Dain played a return pass to Loz, clean through, only to see the keeper once again deny him.
With that the game was over and Ventolin were left to reflect on the harsh realities of premiership football. If you dont take your chances at this level you get punished. The Hammers created only a handful of chances yet converted 3, Ventolin on another day could easily have scored six!
Ventolin manager Tony Dain was disappointed to lose a game that was clearly there for the taking, although he was pleased with the spirit to fightback to 3-2.
"At this level we have to be more clinical. All of us were guilty of missing chances we would usually score, although their keeper was clearly man of the match"
The most important thing about this season is that we have shown we can compete at the highest level, although we know we have two massive tests to come, starting next week against the talented Kezwaldos.
