Portland Street, Southport
Scorers: Conkling, Foley, Dalton (3 pens)
The 2011/2012 season has seen many records broken for Ventura FC & Sunday's crucial clash against ASM proved to be no exception as it delivered yet another win in Ventura's record run & also in delivering 3 penalties, the highest Ventura have ever received in any one game. Ironically it was the awarding & non-awarding of penalties that led to this being such a fascinating duel.
Determined to overcome their opening day defeat by ASM, Ventura started brightly & took the lead when Foley pulled back for Conkling to poke home his fourth of the season from close range. A foul that was blatantly inside the penalty area was then refused by the referee, who instead awarded Ventura a free kick on the edge of the box, this despite clear marks on the turf of where the offence was committed. Justice was done however as from the free kick the ball was crossed to Dalton who's header struck the bar & into the path of Foley who bundled home. Ventura then were very much in the ascendancy.
Justice was shortlived however as the referee then inexplicably awarded ASM a penalty in a similar position only this time the foul was clearly outside of the penalty area, again the turf showing the evidence. ASM slotted home to make it 2-1 & suddenly found their confidence again. Shortly before half-time however Foley was brought down again inside the box & this time the referee pointed to the spot for Ventura. Up stepped Dalton to convert the pen & restore Ventura's 2 goal lead going into the break.
The second half had an equal amount of drama as ASM fought their way back into the game, first with a goal from a break through the centre & then from a shot that was deflected in past Slocombe following a corner. Painfully for Ventura they slumped to concede another goal as ASM unbelievably took the lead at 4-3. Thankfully for the reds it was short-lived however as Foley drew another foul inside the ASM box & for the third time in the game the ref pointed to the spot, again the same defender at fault. Dalton again stepped up & with a change of direction in his penalty kick secured the equaliser. 4-4.
Foley & Dalton weren't finished however as yet again, incredibly, Foley was brought down by the same ASM defender & the ref awarded the final penalty of the day. A 3rd change of direction in his penalty kick from Dalton then gave Ventura the lead, ASM finally subbing their guilty centre-back. The reds also had a small re-shuffle & Nolan moved into the centre, putting Conkling to right-midfield to offer cover to Burgess. It worked as Ventura held on resolutely & saw out the remainder of the game with ASM unable to find an answer.
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| Ventura's line-up against ASM |
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