Ventolin Inhalers produced another excellent team performance defeating second in the table FC Hammers 4-2 in the evenings televised game. Goals from Archdeacon, Plass, Dain and Ross ensured Ventolin maintained their 100% start to the season and cemented their place at the top of the premiership table.
The evening had started with Ventolin fearing the game had been cancelled when upon arrival the stadium was in darkness. Fortunately this was due to the lighting technician enjoying a rather long tea break, and matters were soon rectified.
Ventolin started with the same team as last week with Barton in goal, and Plass, Ross, Dain and Archdeacon making up the starting five, with Robinson again starting on the bench due to the early kick off time.
Ventolin started quickly with Dain winning the ball in midfield before playing Archdeacon clear, who with the angle narrowing, saw the keeper make an excellent save. This established the early pattern of play, Ventolin using the ball well and creating a number of chances. Plass played an excellent crossfield ball that Dain collected before attempting to beat the keeper at the near post. earning a corner after the keeper deflected the ball wide. Ventolin were soon in front though. Ross played a ball forward into the feet of striker Archdeacon, who looked like he had missed the chance, only to expertly arrow the ball low and hard past the hammers keeper from a good 15 yards. 1-0 Ventolin.
Ventolin were finding plenty of space behind the Hammers defence and Plass and Dain both saw their efforts go close, before Archdeacon looked like he had made it 2-0 only to see the ball somehow hit the bar and come back out. Dain then almost set up Archdeacon only to see the Hammers keeper intercept the cross, when it looked certain to reach its target.
At the other end Barton was in sparkling form, making two excellent saves that prevented two certain goals. Ventolin were looking compact and hard to get behind, with the defence making a number of excellent tackles and interceptions that ensured they would go in at half time 1-0 up.
Ventolin regrouped knowing that although in the lead, they could not afford to relax and would need to score again to ensure certain victory. Ventolin were soon in control of the half, retaining possession and using the ball to good effect.
Robinson nearly doubled their lead, going close with a decent strike, after some good build up play between Ross and Plass. Secure at the back and confident in possession it wasn't long before Ventolin had the chance to increase their lead. Breaking from the back dain played the ball wide to Robinson, who surged down the wing crossing the ball for the incoming Archdeacon who couldn't quite reach it.
As Ventolin continued forward in search of further goals they were hit by a classic counter attack. With the defence outnumbered as the inhalers players raced back, Hammers managed to find the opening, and clinically levelled the match. 1-1
With over 10 minutes to go Ventolin didnt panic, but redoubled their efforts this time in search of what would be a now match winning goal.
They didn't have long to wait. After another good save from Barton, he sprinted from his goal before slipping a neat ball forward to archdeacon, he laid the ball back to plass who neared the Hammers penalty box. As the last defender approached he slipped the ball across to Dain, who seeing Plass's movement returned his pass, for Plass who now stroked the ball past the hapless keeper. 2-1 Ventolin.
From the very next attack it was 3-1. Winning a corner Archdeacon spotted the run of Dain, who in an instant smashed a first time half volley into the far right hand corner of the net.
The Inhalers were rampant now, and sensing the Hammers heads had dropped, went for the jugular. Taking the ball from Barton, Dain spotted Ross running down the wing, where he knocked a perfect long pass into his path. Ross gave the keeper the eyes before slotting the ball inside the nearpost. 4-1 and game over...and another goal for the silver fox.
With only seconds remaining Hammers reduced the arrears after some tired Ventolin defending allowed the Hammers centre forward space to collect the ball inside the box, where unchallenged he arrowed the ball past Barton. 4-2 Ventolin.
And with that the referee called time on what had been a superb hard working team performance from the legendary Inhalers.
MoM Tony Dain was thrilled by the teams attitude and performance. It was bloody cold out there, but we were all up for it and i think controlled the game and thoroughly deserved the win. On a personal level it was nice to chip in with a goal again - its been way too long!
Silver fox Andy Ross was also pleased with the team performance, we are playing well and as a team we never give up, this was more than deserved tonight. And im always happy to get amongst the goals too. Archdeacon and fellow scorer plass were also in good mood and thinking ahead to next week, where Ventolin face unknown quantities Pathetic Athletic at the slightly later time of 6.40 and the chance to make it 4 wins out of 4.
