This was a heavyweight encounter between current premiership champions Ventolin Inhalers and record title winning champions Fairlight Garage. In what was a pulsating encounter, It was the current champions who emerged victorious after landing two stunning knock out blows that Fairlight never recovered from.
Man of the match Tony Dain led the way with a superb opener, before setting up in form David Jones who finished with aplomb to complete the evenings scoring. This leaves Ventolin 4 points clear of second place after three games and in with an excellent chance of defending their crown and in the process making it a hatrick of titles in a row.
Ventolin started the game with a core five, after Robinson was delayed from his away trip and Archdeacon was still in the treatment room. Opting to kick upfield first half and from the onset looked sharp and tenacious, winning the majority of 50/50 balls and generally having the better of the early minutes of the match.
Fairlight did create one or two shooting opportunities although these were comfortably dealt with by Barton in the Inhalers goal. On the whole though the Ventolin team had successfully shackled the dangerous Fairlight strike force and now had the platform to begin creating opportunities to open the scoring at the other end.
After some good build up play between Dj and Ross, the former saw his curling shot go narrowly wide of the post with the keeper wrong footed. Then Plass was unfortunate not to see his long ranger go in, after an excellent save from the fairlight keeper. Barton played a superb ball out from goal, finding DJ outwide, he played in Ross, who had stormed down the right wing,only to see his shot go over the bar. Perhaps the most impressive aspect though of Ventolins game so far had been their tackling and ability to make a number of excellent interceptions at key times. This completely disrupted Fairlights attempts to maintain possession and create any clear cut chances.
Again fairlight came forward in search of goals, this time Dain dispossesed the Fairlight player, before playing a ball forward to DJ, continuing his run Dain gathered the return pass , before stepping inside the last defender and driving the ball under the keeper. 1-0 Ventolin.
This was no more than Ventolin had deserved and in such a close game goals are always going to be worth a premium. This though was the foothold ventolin deserved after dominating the half and they werent finished yet. Continuing to have the better of the play Ventolin increased their lead after a sublime piece of skill from Dain, saw him turn his marker inside out before sliding an inch perfect through ball into the path of DJ, who held of his man, before curling the ball low and hard into the net. 2-0 Ventolin.
Fairlight were in disarray now, even arguing amongst themselves and could hardly wait for the referee to blow up. WIth less than a minute of the half remaining Fairlight broke clear, only for Barton, Ross and Dain to make consecutive blocks and clearances before the danger was averted and Ventolin could relax and enjoy their half time oranges.
Fairlight kicked off and immediately went on the attack knowing an early goal would be essential if they were going to get anything out of the game. Ventolin on the other hand seemed to be sitting further back, almost inviting Fairlight to attack them, which is not the best strategy Ventolin have ever adopted. This enabled Fairlight to gain a larger share of possession due to DJ often being left isolated up front, with little support as Ventolin retreated into defensive mode. This did of course invite more pressure, but once again the defence held firm with Dain and Plass both making a number of excellent tackles. Ventolin did creak away on the counter attack only for DJ to see his shot go narrowly wide, before Plass also had an excellent opportunity, only to shoot wide. As the half progresed and Ventolin held firm they once again began to gain control and snuff out any remaining hope the Fairlight players had of making a comeback.
Dain won the ball in midfield, before miscuing his pass to DJ who would have been clear on goal, then Plass slightly over hit a pass to DJ who again had drifted into an excellent position. Fairlight pressed once more, only to find the Ventolin defence as impregnable as ever and only too eager to launch counter attacks. All four players were linking well and getting forward in search of further goals, although perhaps due to tiredness one or two passes were now begining to go astray, although there was time for some excellent footwork in midfield from DJ, playing in Ross who was unlucky not to score. Ventolin ended the game as they had began, on top and looking like champions.
The players were in great mood at pitchside, knowing they had taken a giant step towards retaining their title. With a two week break now, Ventolin will be in cup action on the 10th June in the Brighton Summer Cup.
If they continue to play like this it will take a good side to beat them.
