Ventolin Inhalers were on top form as they defeated Hammers FC 6-1 to win this seasons premiership title, and with it secure a place in Ventolin history.
Ventolin went into the game 2 points clear of second placed Wolfpack, knowing that as long as they beat Hammers, they would be champions, ragrdless of the Wolfpack result.
The line up was as usual settled around the core team, minus, Andy Ross who is recovering from a knee injury. With Barton in goal and Dain and Plass at the back and Robinson and Archdeacon further forward Ventolin were looking strong and eager to get started.
Ventolin started slightly nervously, with one or two misplaced passes, allowing Hammers to press forward and take the early initiative. The Inhalers defence remained tight and began to get the ball down, providing a series of good passes into Archdeacon and Robinson who were begining to get into the game now.
Archdeacon was unlucky when a quick crossfield ball from Dain, squirmed away from him, before he could get his shot off. Robinson then had a shot well saved at the near post after good build up play with Plass.
Ventolin took the lead through a clinical finish from Plass, who having received the ball from Robinson, side stepped his marker before stroking the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 Ventolin. It was soon 2-0 as only minutes later Plass doubled his tally, this time after more good team play, Archdeacon laid the ball off to Plass who repeated his earlier cool finish, only this time firing in to the other corner of the goal.
Ventolin settled down now, retaining possession and creating a number of chances to increase their lead. Archdeacon went close with a looping header, Robinson saw another good shot well saved before finally making it 3-0 just before half time, finishing off a fine team move that swept the length of the pitch.
At pitchside title rivals VFL Wolfpack were watching in horror as their title chances evaporated in front of their eyes.
Ventolin started the second half know that a repeat of the first half performance would indeed secure the points and with it the title.
Relaxed and confident in the knowledge they were playing well, Ventolin maintained their hold on the game and played some of the best football seen all year at Pitch Invasion.
With all players combining, the Inhalers were in total control, passing the ball all over the pitch, running into space and making the Hammers look distinctly ordinary. Archdeacon who had been leading the attack, continued to get into some great positions, only to be foiled by a combination of good goalkeeping and some hurried finishing. It was clear though that the next goal would not be long in coming. Soon enough Ventolin were awarded a somewhat dubious penalty, only for Archdeacon to cooly slot the ball over the bar.
Not to be denied Archdeacon did moments later make it 4-0 after a superb team move that culminated in Robinson sliding a ball across the box for Archdeacon to tap into the empty net.
Remarkably, bearing in mind Barton had been largely an observer in the game so far, his next touch was picking hte ball out of the net, after a good run and finish from the Hammers midfielder to make it now 4-1.
This only encouraged Ventolin to press for more goals, and from the very next attack Archdeacon made it 5-1 after Dain made a superb tackle in defence, before exchanging passes with both Plass and Robinson, before crossing for Archdeacon to finish in style.
Ventolin were not finished yet and after a pass from Robinson, Plass back heeled the ball into Archdeacon who completed his hatrick with an assured finish from just inside the box.
6-1 and the title in the bag. Ventolin played out the final minutes of the match in some some style, retaining possession with some wonderful pass and move football.
The referee signalled for time and with that Ventolin began their celebrations.
Comment to follow -
Barton, Plass, Dain, Ross, Archdeacon and Robinson, names that will all go down in Ventolin history, as the team that won Ventolin's second premiership title in 10 years.
