In arctic conditions Ventolin inhalers turned in their best performance of the season with a comprehensive 5-1 demolition of Ringmer Rangers.
Like previous games Ventolin started the stronger without turning their early chances into goals. Unlike previous games though Ventolin were passing the ball well and retaining it with good first touches and movement from the whole team.
Mellor had the first clear opportunity smashing the ball over from close range, after a pass from Dain, before Ransom also saw his strike well saved after a sweeping move from one end of the pitch to the other. Following another attack, Ventolin finally took a well deserved lead, a good ball from defence down the rangers left, allowed MELLOR to beat the oncoming defender and play in RANSOM who cooly placed the ball into the corner of the net past the on rushing keeper.
This allowed Ventolin to relax, and with it they began to take the game to Ringmer who were struggling to get out of their own half. Ventolin were closing down the opposition well and winning the majoirty of 50/50 tackles, causing the rangers to resort to one or two late challenges in an attempt to get a foothold back into the game. This only motivated Ventolin further who were focused on winning the game and maintaining their title charge.
Further opportunities followed, with Ransom, Mellor and Keeley all going close before PLASS slid the ball home after neat work from RANSOM. As the half drew to a close Ringmer looked beaten, with several of their team spending more energy moaning at the referee for one or two dubious decisions instead of concentrating on getting back into the game. The one or two chances they did create were comfortably dealt with by Keeley in the Ventolin goal.
In determined mood, Ventolin started the half brightly and it wasn't long before Ransom scored his second of the game after another good team move involving Mellor, Keeley and then PLASS who crossed for RANSOM to tap home. Moments later PLASS scored his second of the game following a one touch move with again RANSOM providing the key pass after good work from Mellor.
At 4-0 the game was now over. Ringmer continued to work and chase hard, but with Ventolin now playing their best football of the season they could not compete. Some of the passing was a joy for the Ventolin fans to watch, and if they could have only been more clinical they could have finished with 8 or 9 instead of 5. Dain missed a good opportunity when played in by Keeley and Plass went close after some good work from Mellor. Ransom was unlucky that Dain's overhead ball bounced just over him when heading clear on goal and Dain saw a good left footed strike tipped wide after a crossfield ball from Ransom. Ventolin finally made it five nil after more flowing football, culminating in PLASS passing the ball at the perfect pace for DAIN to power home with precision.
It was then a bolt out of the blue that with seconds remaining Ringer scored a late consolation goal. Out of the loose the Ringmer player found himself heading towards goal and before two ventolin players could get near him he had unleashed an unstoppable 20 yard curling strike into the far corner of the net. This was about the only action Jake Keeley in the Ventolin goal had seen all half and did well to even get a hand near it. As much as Ventolin were aiming for a clean sheet, nothing could detract on what was a very good performance in difficult conditions.
The ref's whistle sounded and that was it played 4 won 4 and at the very least joint top of the championship table going into next weeks fixture against Henfield Harriers. Tony Dain commented that " This was definitly our best performance of the season to date and something we can really build upon. I thought everyone was on it, and we played some really good football tonight"
As Joe Plass handed the Man of the Match champagne to Adam Ransom both commented that it was a good all round team display and one that should send notice to all rivals that Ventolin are very much up for this title challenge. With two well taken goals and further assists Ransom stressed how the passing and movement was reminiscent of classic ventolin!
