Ventolin Inhalers turned on the style on MOnday evening beating inform High and Mighty 8-3, this after recovering from 2 goals down in the first five minutes.
Ventolin were forced into some late call ups due to John Archdeacon working away and the unexplained absence of Loz Robinson.
Ventolin were able to call up Stephen Winter and Alex Termouth as late replacements - both more than justifying their call ups with excellent performances.
This was clearly going to be a game of two halves with the strong wind blowing across Wilson Avenue. Playing into the wind to begin with Ventolin soon found themselves defending deep, struggling to keep their opponents at bay. It was no surprise that after a poor clearance, the mighty striker smashed the ball past Winter in the Ventolin goal. With their very next attack, mighty scored again, this time a speculative shot from range was deflected off the Ventolin defender, completely wrong footing Winter and into the net.
2-0 down and still at least 10 minutes of the half to play Ventolin changed tack. Pushing up the pitch they began to stretch the mighty, playing some neat balls across the pitch and retaining some good possession. Dain picked up the ball in midfield, playing a ball into Termouth who returned the pass to Dain who then slipped the ball back to Termouth on the edge of the box, he made no mistake, cracking the ball low and hard past the diving keeper.
Ventolin sensed a nervousness in the Mighty and pushed forward with even more desire, sensing that even against the wind, if they got forward there could be goals.
More good football found Plass on the ball, spotting Dain wide he played a perfect pass for Dain, who crossed first time for Termouth to sweep home his second, to make it 2-2.
The Mighty were now begining to argue amonst themselves stunned at what they were witnessing at the hands of team they expected to beat soundly. As they bagan to lose their cool, the tackles began to get a little naughtier with one player in particular on a mission to kick or have a go at anyone within distance.
Ventolin won a corner, Ross found Plass, who played Barton clear , only for the striker to fire high over the bar. A golden opportunity missed, although within seconds Barton had made amends with a neat finish after turning his man acutely in the box and finishing in style, after a clever pass by Termouth,
The referee blew for half time with Ventolin incredibly winning 3-2 against the mighty wind.
Ventolin knew that if they stayed solid and played their football, with the wind behind them it would be difficult for the mighty to get back into the game.
Determined to win this game, Ventolin came out strongly and from their first attack of the half made it 4-2, after more good team play, Plass played in Ross on the left, who made no mistake, taking the ball in his stride before hammering his shot just inside the far post.
This seemed to rattle the mighty, with their deranged striker in particular losing his rag with his own team, while simultaneously hurling abuse at the opposition. This only played into Ventolin's hands as they continued to play the ball around in some style. It was soon 5-2, this time Dain played a through ball to Ross who again found the net with a crisp finish.
This seemed to tip the mighty striker over the edge and after being harried off the ball by Barton, resorted to using his elbow, on Bartons mouth. A melee ensued with Ventolin disgusted by his whole approach and keen that he should be sent off for violent conduct. The referee seemed to bottle his moment and only produced a blue card, much to the dismay of everyone else at the ground. 5 minutes in the sin bin hardly seemed fair for deliberate violent conduct.
With Mighty now down to four, Ventolin pressed on, creating a number of chances, first dain saw his shot saved, after good build up play from Barton and Plass, then Ross went close again with another decent strike. before termouth completed his hatrick with another good finish, after good work by Plass and then Dain. 6-2 and with the mighty now back to 5.
This made little difference, with Ventolin in complete control now, Plass won the ball well in midfield before slipping a pass through to Barton, with 30 yards to goal and the mighty striker hot on his tail he sped forward maybe 10 yards and then crashed the ball into the top corner of the goal, leaving the keeper stranded. A stunning strike and a worthy goal of the game, although Ventolin were not finished yet. Ross was keen to complete his hatrick and after being played through by Plass, saw his shot just beat the keeper and the post.
Fortunately the keeper was in a generous mood, and played his goal kick straight into the feet of Ross, alone on the edge of the box. This time he made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball home for his hatrick, making it now 8-2. Winter was then called upon to make an outstanding save, diving feet first across his goal to divert the strikers shot wide of his goal.
With the game drawing to a close and Ventolin in celebratory mood, mighty broke away and scored a third consolation goal, against a tired but happy Inhalers.
After the game Ventolin were joyous, with both the performance and the result.
Hatricks for both Termouth and Ross, as well as a brace for Barton, as well as striling performances from Dain and Plass at the heart of the Ventolin midfield. Ventolin are now joint top after 3 games.
