Six goals, a clean sheet and a stunning team performance by the champions
Ventolin Inhalers secured their third premiership title in a row, with a superb season ending performance against runners up Pathetic Athletic. Although it must be said Pathetic had more ringers than than BT. This so called all star team were thoroughly beaten 6-0 by a team that are now inform, confident and hungry for further success.
Man of the match David Jones (DJ) led the way with 4 goals, ably supported by Joe Plass and Loz Robinson. At the other end Barton was once again in sparkling form, with Dain and Ross forming a formidable shield at the back.
With only new father John Archdeacon unavailable due to parenting duties and a serious lack of sleep Ventolin lined up once again with their core six.
Pathetic kicked off and were soon under pressure from Ventolin, who seemed to be relishing the challenge of playing against a clearly stronger and more skilful side than had been anticipated.
Jones and Robinson were causing concern in the Pathetic defence with their neat inter play, with Plass prompting from slightly deeper and Ross making some good early forays into the opposition half it seemed only a matter of time before the deadlock would be broken.
Interestingly Pathetic who had been hanging on, were now also creating one or two chances, only to be thwarted by Barton in the Ventolin goal. It did though look like they had taken the lead against the run of play, only for Dain to make a double clearance from the goal line moments after stepping onto the pitch.
This proved to be the shock Ventolin needed and from their very next attack Robinson slotted the ball home after some good build up play between Dain and Jones. It was soon 2-0 this time Robinson was the provider, slipping a fine ball into Jones path, who instinctively shot on the turn, rifling the ball into the far right hand corner. As half time approached Jones scored his second of the game after a deftly flighted pass from Plass, set him clear on goal, taking the ball in his stride he slotted it cooly into the corner.
HT Ventolin 3 Pathetic Athletic 0.
Ventolin were now just 18 minutes away from completing a dream season and a well earned celebratory pint in the pub.
Starting strongly again Ventolin were soon creating chances. First Jones went close with a shot from close range, then Dain saw his effort clear the arena after a clever pull back from Plass. Ross then went close after bringing the ball out of defence, seeing is strike go narrowly wide.
Ventolin were so dominant there was almost a danger of trying to walk the ball into the net, several times Ventolin played their way through only to be thwarted by the keeper or not shooting when the chance was there. At the other end the defence were repelling anything Pathetic could throw at them, while also launching counter attacks from the back.
This provided the platform for the fourth goal, with Dain collecting the ball off Barton, before passing down the line to Robinson, he squared to Plass, who knocked it into the path of Jones who completed his hatrick with another crisp finish.
Ventolin didnt have long to wait for a fifth, this time Jones was the instigator, playing a one two with Plass, before Plass swept the ball home from close range.
Ventolin applied the coup de grace, with perhaps the goal of the game. Barton in goal, played a stunning pitch length curled pass into the path of Jones, who brought the ball under control with a great first touch, before dummying the keeper and slipping the ball into the empty net. Ventolin were euphoric as the referee blew his whistle, while Pathetic looked knackered, unsurprising as they had spent much of the match chasing the ball.
FT Ventolin 6 Pathetic Athletic 0
And that was that. Ventolin for the first time in their history had secured a hatrick of premiership titles, this on the back of a 13 game winning streak and only two defeats since the start of the new calendar year.
WHat has been most impressive about ventolin over the past five seasons, has been the combination of a quality passing game and a work ethic that has allowed the team to create a powerful model of performance. With seven regular players all working together the Inhalers are nicely positioned to add to their trophy haul over the course of the rest of the year.
