Ventolin Inhalers profuced the performance of the season to beat in form Kezweldos 4-2 to remain two points clear at the top of the Premiership and with just one game to go, in with a genuine chance of the title.
Ventolin were rocked earlier in the week by the news that defensive stalwart Andy Ross would be out for a good 6 weeks with a knee ligament injury. The core Ventolin five of Barton, Dain, Plass, Robinson and Archdeacon were all available, as well as new signing Brendan Ireland.
Both sides were clearly up for the game, and looking forward to a cracking match.
Ventolin kicked off and immediatley started passing the ball around with a precision not seen for a good few seasons. Dain and Plass at the back were controlling the play and providing good ball for Robinson and Archdeacon, who were starting to cause panic in the Kezweldos defence, with their clever runs across the line and inter play. When Kezweldos had the ball Ventolin were closing them down quickly, causing the usually composed Kezweldos players to play a number of passes into touch or that were esily intercepted by the lively inhalers.
From one such interception, Plass found Robinson wide on the right touchline, and with quite some distance to goal, he surged forward, beating his man with ease before unleashing a stunning strike from wing, that flew past the keepers despairing dive, before bulging the far corner of the net.
The goal sent a surge of confidence through the Inahlers, who were now clearly on top and playing as well as they have done for a long time. The key to the success so far was the controlled passing game being played by the Inhalers. With Kezweldos reduced to chasing shadows and forced into defending their goal in the face of Ventolins good play.
Ventolin were then further rewarded after some good team play, Dain played the ball into Archdeacon, who laid it off to Robinson, he sidestepped his marker before firing a Ronaldinho like toe drive low inside the keepers near post. Robinson was on fire now, causing panic in the kezweldos defence everytime he had the ball. He nearly completed his hatrick with another excellent strike only to see the keeper tip this one around the post. Archdeacon then nearly made it 3-0 after going close with a sumptuous chip that beat the out rushing keeper, only to bounce inches over the bar.
Archdeacon then took a breather allowing new signing Brendan Ireland into the fray, who was almost instantly on the scoresheet after a lovely through ball from Robinson, saw him round the keeper, only to go too wide to be able to convert the opportunity. Dain then found Ireland with a fine curling pass that had just a tad too much on it, leaving him with a difficult opportunity, that ended with the keeper making another fine save.
Kezweldos when they did have the ball were being restricted to a few long range strikes, in good part due to the continued excellent defensive play of the Inhalers players, apart from this Barton was largely a spectator at the football feast unfurling in front of him, although he did play an excellent long pass down the wing to Robinson, which set off another Ventolin attack.
Ventolin made it 3-0 as the half was drawing to a close. Dain intercepted a Kezweldos pass, before playing a cute ball through to Ireland, who this time made no mistake, lifting the ball cooly over the keeper and into the unguarded net.
Ventolin had just produced one of the best first half performances in the teams history, and knew that a similar performance in the second half would surely give them a well deserved victory.
The second half began much like the first, with Ventolin enjoying a good share of the possession and looking reasonably comfortable with it. Robinson made a superb run down the left before laying it off to Plass, who surrounded by defenders, used the famous Plass swerve in an attempt to create an opportunity for himself, only to see the keeper once again make another excellent stop.
Kezweldos began to get forward more themsleves, pushing the Inhalers back into their half, and for the first time in the game, found themselves on top. For the next 6-7 minutes Ventolin found themselves camped in their own half as Kezweldos tried to find a way through, only to be thwarted by a series of tackles, interceptions and saves, or long shots that failed to find the target.
Ventolin then delivered the classic sucker punch, under the cosh themselves, Plass sprang from defence, playing a quick floated pass downfield to Robinson, who shaped to beat his man only to flick the ball into the path of Archdeacon, who waited for the ball to drop before calmly slotting the ball home.
4-0 and with that surely the match. Well its not like Ventolin to deny their fans - and with only a minute remaining, some poor defending allowed the Kezwledos striker to slot the ball home. From the resulting kick off Dain, who to this point had been excellent tried one pass to many across the backline, and watched in horror as it was intercepted and smashed past Barton in the Ventolin goal. Barton was unhappy at the loss of the clean sheet and the sloppy nature of the goals, reminding his defenders to be alert at all times even when a game is won.
With that the whistle sounded and Ventolin were ecstatic, knowing that the title is now firmly within their grasp, having for first time beaten Kerry Mayo's Kezweldos. And beaten them in some style, with the two late goals, giving Kezweldos perhaps more than they actually deserved.
This had been a night when Ventolin rose to the ocassion, climbing their very own everest, and in the process establishing themselves as a genuine premiership team of some quality and spirit.
Manager Tony Dain was thrilled by his teams performance as he spoke live at pitchside to the BBC's MOTD and Sky Sports. " I couldn't be more proud of how we played today, every one of us was outstanding, and the twin strikes from Loz were goals of quality, the first is one of the best i have seen scored at Pitch invasion. The title is in our hands now. Its that simple beat Hammers next week and we will be crowned champions."
Robinson was modest about his efforts, although he was pleased with his goal of the season contender. " The first half is best half of football we have played up here, the passing was superb"
Archdeacon, while also in celebratory mood was the voice of reason amongst a sea of emotions. " We were superb tonight, but if we dont win next week it may all be for nothing. Its our opportunity to make Ventolin history and i'm sure the boys will grasp it with both hands."
Plass was grinning with delight " Brilliant, absolutley brilliant, we were as a team just amazing tonight, and our goals were incredible. Roll on next week."
