On a cold night at Stanley Deeson, Ventolin Inhalers return to the premiership continued with their second consecutive defeat at the hands of the young and skilful NDNS. Going down 3-2 in an error strewn affair that saw Ventolin gift NDNS two goals, while again failing to capitalise on the opportunities that were also created.
Going into the wind in the first half Ventolin kicked off and instantly gave possession away with a misplaced pass into touch. This seemed to set the tone for the early stages with Ventolin struggling to pass the ball to each other and generally looking a bit jaded. NDNS on the other hand were vibrant and intent on picking up their first points of the season. Barton was tested early with a drive from the right before managing to save the ball with his feet as the NDNS striker followed up.
At the other end Loz went close with a good drive after a good run, while Ransom also created a half chance for Archdeacon who saw his shot well saved low to the keepers left.
As the half progressed Ventolin were begining to play some decent football and from one these plays, Loz and Ransom combined to tee up Archdeacon who made no mistake from close range. BArton was now begining to come out on pitch more giving Ventolin an extra man to attack with. This almost created an opportunity for Dain who after cutting inside, shot hard with his left, although too near the keeper who saved comfortably.
In some ways NDNS could be feel slight unlucky to be behind, having had the better of the early exchanges. As it was it wasnt long before the equaliser arrived. NDNS played the ball into the middle of the park, where Dain intercepted the pass, before then losing possession of the ball as the NDNS stroker broke away, NDNS pushed forward, another pass then releasing his partner who slid the ball past Barton. WHile the goal was well taken it was without doubt avoidable and ensured the teams went in at half time all square.
Ventolin while disappointed to have conceded felt confident that if they would keep things tight at the back, chances would come at the other end where NDNS were not as strong.
The second half began in disasterous fashion for Ventolin as Dain made an initial interception before trying to flick the ball back to Barton only to see the NDNS striker take it off his toe and slide his shot under the on rushing Barton, who could only watch helplessly as it rolled into the net.
For the next five minutes NDNS played some great football , creating several chances only to be denied by some superb goal keeping from Barton and a combination of last ditch tackles, interceptions and a post. Finally though the pressure told with another move ending in a shot that somehow founds its way over Barton and past the despairing chase of Ransom and into the empty net.
This forced Ventolin to up their game and this they did playing their best football of the match. Central to this was the emergence of Barton now playing as an auxillery sweeper and the energy of former Dark horse Danny who was winning lots of ball and making some incisive forward passes. Ransom and Loz were linking well and Archdeacon was constantly looking for space to engineer a shot at goal.
And is was Archdeacon who brought Ventolin back into the game, after converting cooly following good work from Dan and Barton, who slipped the ball into archdeacon after a mazy run from his own goal area. At 3-2 Ventolin were right back in it and with nearly 7 minutes remaining there was plenty of time for an equaliser.
NDNS were clearly rattled now and struggling to contain the extra man on field, this time it was NDNS who were forced to scramble the ball away and thank their defence for a series of blocks and tackles that kept their lead in tact.
The final two minutes witnessed a Ventolin onslaught and the ocassional break from NDNS as they tried to take advantage of the open goal. BArton on one occasion carried the ball from his own goal after thwarting the NDNS striker, before going past two players before shooting just over the bar.
Dan and Loz also went close in final goal mouth scrambles seeing their efforts saved on the line and the cleared.
Ventolins last chance had gone. The referee blew for time and Ventolin left the pitch looking dejected, knowing that this was a game they could certainly have one.
After the game Ventolin failed to make any one available to speak to the BBC team, it is thought there will be further comment to follow.
