Ventolin Inhalers somehow maintained their unbeaten record and with it their title challenge after recovering from 4-2 down at half time against Team Waitrose, to win 5-4 with only seconds of the match remaining. Goalkeeper Andy Barton was the unlikely hero, storming from his goal to score the games winning goal. Loz Robinson (2), Tony Dain and Joe Plass completed the scoring in what was a performance of two halves.
Ventolin now know that a convincing win against league new comers and whipping boys Five skin on Monday night will leave them in an almost unassailable position, with only one game remaining, to claim their third premiership title and possibly second in three seasons.
With no changes to last weeks line up Ventolin were looking forward to another strong performance and hopefully securing the points against a team who had previously beaten an under strength Inhlars side 8-1 three seasons ago.
As kick off neared Team Waitrose only had three players on the pitch and were forced to recruit two reserve players until their team mates arrived. This seemed to lull Ventolin into a false sense of security as they seemed somewhat all over the place in the opening minutes, although they nearly took the lead from kick off when Robinson toe poked a fierce shot narrowly wide.
Team waitrose though were causing problems in the Ventolin defence with their quick counter attacking and took the lead after some clever inter play provided the Waitrose striker with space behind the defence and time to slot the ball comfortably past Barton. 1-0 Waitrose.
Ventolin responded immediatley with Plass and Dain moving the ball forward towards Robinson, whose angled shot took a timely deflection off the Waitrose full back and past the outstretched hands of the keeper and into the empty goal. 1-1.
Almost instantly Waitrose regained the lead, Ventolin who had been guilty of missing a number of tackles and interceptions, again failed to close down the Waitrose attackers and this time were made to pay in some style after an excellent finish from the lively striker. 2-1 Waitrose.
Clearly stunned by conceeding a second goal, they went straight back up the other end wjhere some good combination play involving Dain who took Robinsons, pass and cushioned it back into his path, before Robinson returned the ball to Dain who then slipped the ball into the unguarded net. 2-2.
This was turning into a game of all out attack and once more Waitrose responded going close with another good shot that Barton did well to save. The next goal wasnt long in coming and it was Waitrose who again took the lead. An excellent run down the right wing, left Ventolin open, and the Waitrose player cooly drew barton before passing it low into the far corner. 3-2 Waitrose.
With only a minute left before the break Waitrose increased their lead. After more confusion in the Inhalers defence, allowed the Waitrose player the opportunity to score, which he did, clinically. HT 4-2 Waitrose.
The half time team talk was a reminder that while Ventolin hadnt been at their best, this was a game they were more than capable of winning if they were more solid at the back and converted the opportunities that were sure to come their way during the second period.
Ventolin kicked off, passing the ball around before pressing further forward as the spaces opened up. With a more structured approach Ventolin were limiting the Waitrose strikers possession of the ball high up the pitch, and causing the Waitorse team to drop deeper.
At 4-2 down both sides new the next goal would be critical to the outcome of the game. Archdeacon was unlucky not to connect with a fine cross by Robinson, before Plass almost scored after a cut back from Robinson. At the other end Barton was called upon to make a number of fine blocks and interceptions as Ventolin continued to press forward in search of the goals that would turn this game in their favour.
Robinson was finding space further forward with Plass and Dain, now winning the midfield battle. It was this combination that reduced Ventolins arrears. After some good hold up play by Archdeacon, Dain took his pass before slipping it wider to Plass, who made no mistake, slotting a curling strike into the corner of the Waitrose net. 4-3 Waitrose.
Ventolin sensed their chance and pressed forward once more, winning a number of free kicks and corners before Archdeacon won a corner on the right. Plass lined up the corner and chipped it expertly into the path of the un marked Robinson, who with a deft side foot volley scored the goal of the game and more importantly Ventolins equaliser. 4-4.
Waitrose were reeling now, having seen their two goal lead disappear. Having been forced onto the back foot for most of the half Waitrose decided to press forward and attack now, in search of their own winning goal.
Suddenly the dangers of the opening period returned as both sides attacking intents were leaving big holes at the back. Dain made a number of excellent tackles and interceptions, along with Archdeacon who was doing as much defending as attacking such was the flow of the game. As the clock ticked down, Waitrose attacked once more, only to find Barton in imperious form. A long cross field pass released the right winger, who cut inside before squaring the ball to his team mate, Barton forced him wide, before he played it back across goal, where his colleague only had Dain on the goal line to beat, fortunately dain stopped the shot and launched the ball forward towards Archdeacon. Barton was now sprinting down the pitch, and after a neat exchange between Plass and Archdeacon, the ball founds its way into the path of Barton only yards from goal. Although Waitrose rushed to close him down, he somehow steered the ball into the roof of the net, capping a remarkable second half comeback by the indominatable Inhalers. 5-4 Ventolin.
Waitrose barely had time to kick off before the referee called time on what had been a pulsating encounter for the neutral and one that left the Ventolin fans as they headed home dreaming of a second title to celebrate in three seasons. Ventolin were naturally ecstatic, after showing the kind of heart and effort that is required to secure titles.
Silver fox Andy Ross commented "That could be the game the wins us the title".
Team manager Tony Dain was really pleased to win a game that for the first half they looked more than capable of losing. "We werent at our best tonight, but when it really mattered we dug in and managed to turn it around, and thats down to our superb team spirit."
Loz robinson was not althogether happy with his performance, although he could reflect upon a stunning goal and his hand in at last two goals. "It was a really starnge game and could have costs us" John Archdeacon echoed these thoughts " We got there in the end, but we made hard work of it, and to be fair they have a couple of tricky players."
Next week is the big one. Win well and the title is Ventolin's for the taking and may even be confirmed on the night should Amplicon Athletic fail to beat Fairlight Garage.
