Ventolin Inhalers produced yet another excellent all round team performance to defeat under strength Kezwaldos 9-3 at Stanley Deeson on Monday night.
Centre forward John Archdeacon led the way with a hatrick of tap ins, ably supported by Andy Ross and Loz Robinson who both weighed in with a brace and man of the match Joe Plass and Tony Dain who both found the net to complete the scoring. This victory leaves Ventolin requiring only a point from their last game of the season against title rivals Fairlight Garage to retain their title.
With their opponents struggling to raise a team and without influential ex brighton player Kerry Mayo, Ventolin knew this was a game they should win.
Both sides started slightly nervously, with several misplaced passes and interceptions meaning neither side gained control of the game. This made for a very open if slightly disjointed opening period, where both sides had chances to go ahead, only to be prevented from doing so by a combination of poor finishing and some outstanding goal keeping.
Ventolin did eventually break the deadlock. After some good build up play involving Archdeacon and Robinson, the latter squared the ball to Dain, who took it into his stride before unleashing an unstoppable drive that whizzed past the keeper before he even had time to react. 1-0.
This seemed to settle the Inhalers down, who now began to create chances. First Plass went close after good work from Robinson, before Dain broke free on the right, where his cross only just failed to meet the on rushing Archdeacon. Robinson could have added a second only to see the keeper some how steer his goal bound effort around the post, after more excellent passing football.
It was from another passing move, this time involving Plass, Robinson and Archdeacon that created a simple finish for Ross to double the lead with a superb team goal. 2-0.
As the half drew to a close Ventolin went to sleep, losing their shape, resulting in the defence being outnumbered as Kezwaldos pressed forward, and with the extra man, who ran unchecked into the box before slotting the ball past Barton. 2-1 HT.
In a strange way the kezwaldos goal inspired Ventolin and focused their minds during the half time interval. This was a game they would not lose and set about ensuring another three points on the road to the title.
As good as their word Ventolin were immediately on their game and increased their lead within a minute of the restart. This time good work by Robinson and Dain resulted in Plass firing a stunning strike past the keeper from a tight angle. 3-1.
From the very next attack Ventolin made it 4-1 with Plass again instrumental in the build up, before playing in Ross who cut across the box before unleashing a fine finish into the far corner.
With the game now won, ventolin relaxed and continued to play some excellent football, although at times they were leaving themselves open at the back in the rush to score further goals. Archdeacon who had been getting into some excellent positons finally got on the score sheet after bundling the ball home with the help of the last defender. 5-1.
This was not a scoreline the usually strong Kezwaldos were used to being on the end of and through sheer will forced themselves back into the game with a well finished goal after a clanger from Barton in the Inhalers goal. 5-2.
Kezwaldos then shot themselves in the foot, as almost immediately the Keeper who with the ball at his feet attempted to dribble the ball out. Unfortunately Robinson was too quick for him and dispossessed him easily before slotting the ball into the empty net. 6-2.
Robinson doubled his tally almost instantly after a series of excellent interchanges with Archdeacon saw him slot the ball past the keeper and into the back of the net. 7-2.
At 7-2 Kezwaldos could have let their heads drop. Instead they regrouped and came back at Ventolin. Going close on a couple of occassions before they reduced the arrears with another well taken goal, after a mix up between Plass and Dain in defence. 7-3.
With only a couple of minutes remaining Ventolin pressed forward in search of more goals, knowing the title could end up being settled on goal difference. Plass played a fine ball wide for Dain who cut back inside before crossing for Archdeacon to tap home at the far post. 8-3.
And as that looked like being that, Robinson played a clever ball wide to Dain who again found the space to fire a dangerous ball into the box, for Archdeacon who once more managed to scramble the ball home. 9-3 FT.
After the match ventolin were eager to play down their chances of another title, knowing they have a very tough game coming up against Fairlight Garage. That being said the confidence levels in the team remain high due to another consistent and powerful display.
Manager Tony Dain was again pleased by his teams all round efforts and general consistency. Since the start of the year we have only lost twice and tonight we beat one of the two teams to have beaten us this year, so that felt good. Next week we have a chance to defeat the only other side to beat us this year. Almost perfect symmetry.
