Ventolin Inhalers began their premiership campaign with a comprehensive 6-1 defeat of lasts seasons 3rd placed team the Hopefull Hammers.
Only a degree of carelessness in front of goal prevented Ventolin from doubling their tally, such was their control of this match. Leading scorer Joe plass and new signing and Man of the Match Brett Joyce each bagged a brace, with additional goals from Dan Keeley and Tony Dain completing the rout.
Ventolin had again been busy in the transfer window, adding Zion star Brett Joyce to the seasons squad and his impact was immediate opening the scoring after a good team move involving Plass and Dain before PLASS squared the ball to JOYCE who calmly fired the ball home. Ventolin soon doubled their lead after a through ball from DAIN released PLASS who carried the call forward before placing the ball past the hopeless keeper. Ventolin were threatening to run amok, and further chances were created, but spurned with Dain, Joyce and Keeley all missing from positions where it was easier to score.
Hopefull were then provided with a gift back into the game. After hesitation over a bouncing ball by Dain, the hopeful striker miss hit his shot, yet it still squirmed under the body of Keeley, trickling into the net. This was the wake up call Ventolin needed and is if stung into action by his only mistake of the game KEELEY lofted a perfect long ball forward to his brother who in the moment of the match, positioned himself perfectly to head the ball over the oncoming keeper and into the open net. A moment of pure class that seemed to extinguish any hopes of a hopefull recovery. HT 3-1.
The second half saw Ventolin continue to take control of the game, creating a number of chances with some excellent free flowing football. Unfortunately the finishing at times was shocking. Dain was put through by crossfield balls from Keeley and Plass but somehow contrived to slot both balls wide of the goal from positions he would normally score with ease from. DAIN did eventually break his hoodoo after being played in by JOYCE and this time made no mistake with a firm finish. At 4-1 it was game over and now just a question as to whether Ventolin could continue to miss the numerous chances presented or add to their already impressive score.
Keeley and Joyce were also doing their best to keep Dain company in the worst misses of the match category, both guilty of wasting gilt edged chances they would normally snap up. Ventolin did again find their scoring boots, and it was leading scorer PLASS who again crashed the ball home after a series of passes with DAIN.
Keeley in the Ventolin goal had hardly seen the ball and what he did he dealt with comfortably, in some instances starting our build up play from the back and adding to the progressive style of play that Ventolin are becoming known for.
The scoring was rounded off by Joyce who combined well with strike partner Keeley throughout the match, which is a positive sign for the future. Starting around the halfway mark they passed and dribbled around the hopefull players before KEELEY played in JOYCE who crashed the ball home. There was still time for Joyce to complete his hatrick, after being played in by Dain, an open goal beckoned, but somehow Joyce managed to lift the ball over the empty net. In some ways this was the story of evening - countless chances missed. Although to be fair the biggest story of the evening was Ventolin scoring six on their return to the premiership and extending their unbeaten run to 8 games and Dan Keeley for scoring one of the best pitch invasion goals of the year with his skillful header.
Without getting carried away this was an excellent start to the season, and will certainly increase team confidence and belief that if they continue to perform this could be a very exciting season. Man of the match Brett Joyce with two goals on his debut and one assist was pleased with his performance, although feels it can only get better as he plays more regularly.
Next week sees a repeat of last seasons match with FC UNITED NATIONS who were promoted in 3rd place from the championship due to a an unnamed premiership side going into administration. This promises to be another tough encounter and one that will require another excellent team performance, especially as this is a night match not starting until 9.20pm.
