Ventolin soar past the Seagulls with last gasp winner...
Ventolin Inhalers earned their first points of the championship season, with a thrilling 4-3 victory over SB Seagulls last night.
In a reversal of last weeks game Ventolin this time came out on top in another seven goal thriller and put themselves back in the title race.
In what had been a traumatic day, the Inhalers squad were hit with a spate of injuries, players cup tied or on early easter breaks. This forced injured team captain Tony Dain to play in goal and regular keeper Andy Barton into his dream position out on pitch.
This though seemed to galvanise the Inhalers, who started the game at quite a pace and within 8 minutes were 2-0 up, and could have been 4 goals ahead such was their dominance. First Dan Keeley scored on his return to Ventolin colours, recieving the ball from Plass, he calmly slotted the ball past the Seagulls keeper, low to his right. Barton then made it two nil, finishing from close range after good work from Danny D.
Then from nowhere, the Seagulls broke clear, with the striker firing home past the exposed keeper. Ventolin hit back almost immediately with Danny D again linking well with Barton, who this time beat the keeper with a delightful finish restoring his teams two goal advantage. The final word of a pulsating first period went to Seagulls, who from their only corner of the half managed to somehow scramble home their second goal of the game after some poor marking by the Inhalers defence.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with Inhalers on top, creating numerous chances, the best of which fell to Barton and Keeley, although both Plass and Danny D could also have increased the lead had they been more clinical or had a bit more luck.
As it was it looked like the game would end as it had started the 2nd half, with Ventolin although well on top, holding only a slender one goal advantage. With seconds remaining though the Seagulls broke away and from the resulting corner managed to steer the ball past Dain in the Inhalers goal. Unbelievably that was not the end of it. Ventolin inspired by such injustice stormed straight back with a stunning team goal, that restored their lead once and for all.
Dain saved well, then surging out with the ball at his feet, he released Dan Keeley, who then by passed the final defender with a cute crossfield pass, finding Plass who with his first touch stroked the ball past the helpless keeper. Game over and a clinical demonstaration of Ventolins total football.
After the game the Inhalers team were in jubilant mood. Talking to the BBC's pitchside reporter Man of the Match Andy Barton was delighted to have been provided with the opportunity to show his on pitch skills and certainly will have left his manager with food for thought with his two goal all action display. Clinical going forward and resolute at the back Barton just pipped the excellent Danny D for the games MOM award.
Plass was delighted to have scored the winning goal, and happy at keeping his composure at such a critical moment. I thought we deserved to win and it was great to finish off what was a fantastic team move to earn a well deserved victory.
There is now a two week break before Ventolin take on rivals Amplicon Athletic it what promises to be another great game!
