Preferably of large size, capable of fitting numerous items of silverware. If you can help this successful football side, please contact the club hotline on 08457 6 PREMS.
Confidence was high among the Lions fans prior to kick off. They're past two displays had been superb and it seemed that would continue during the early stages of the match. Bike Track Cosmos were finding it hard to get the ball as Zion dominated possession and chances. David Jones played the ball to Tommy Powell, who held the ball for some time before unleashing a powerful drive into the bottom corner of the net. The shot was of particular class due to the lack of back-lift Powell was working with. The good play continued as Zion's attacking style persisted to cause The Cosmos problems. However, it was a Bike Track counter attack that produced the next goal. Their quick break was effective and Steve Winter was left helpless as the ball shot past him to bring the game level. That didn't last long as the Lion's were out for blood. Dan Shotton showed great vision to throw the ball into the path of Jones who had a simple tap in that restored Zion's lead. It was Jones again who added to Zion's total, making the most of the opposing keepers advanced position on the pitch. He curled the ball around the keeper and into the net via the keepers outstretched fingertips. On another day the keeper could've been in trouble with the match officials, however, leniancy ruled the day and the keeper escaped punishment. Jones then completed his hatrick after great work down the left from Powell. The final goal of the half was the best goal of the game. Powell received the ball from Jones and took on his man. The defender showed Powell inside onto his weaker foot. Powell then struck the ball with his left foot into the top left corner of the goal from outside the area. It was an incredible strike that was an adequate representation of Powell's fantastic first half performance.
Bike Track acknowledged that they had allowed Zion players too much space in the first half and the second half saw them close the ball down far quicker and with far more physical intention. The game became rougher and less entertaining. Zion stood up well to the physical approach and it was they that got the first goal of the half. Shotton tackled strongly in an attacking position, before he was set up for an open goal tap in by Jones. Bike Track protests were in vain as the tackle was fair and the goal was given. The spectacle then turned sour. Rash challenges from the Cosmos did little to enhance their reputation as one of the top footballing sides in the league. They were resorting to dangerous tactics as their footballing was made to look ordinary by Zion's superiority. Three seperate occasions one particular idiot decided to kick out long after the ball was there to be won. As before mentioned the referee was leniant and therefore players were ushered into a state of conflict. Zion didn't take the dangerous play lying down and put in several dirty challenges of their own. More out of frustration and revenge than desperation, which is Bike Track's reasoning. This saw them take their foot off the gas, and The Cosmos were able to grab two consolation goals. It could've been an even closer scoreline if not for Steve Winter's outstanding saves and Tony Dain's great defensive work. However, any smaller margin of victory would have been unjust as Zion had completely dominated with their passing football and thoroughly deserved to be crowned Premiership Cup Champions.
Manager Tommy Powell was pleased with his sides domination of the Premiership Cup when he spoke to pitch-side reporters after the match, "We have played some great football the past three games and we really deserved to win it. It's great that we are regularly picking up silverware with good football. It's a joy to play football the way we do, and I wouldn't set my team up any other way." Dan Shotton felt the side stood up well to teams physical approaches this term, "Teams feel that the only way they can beat us is to kick us off the pitch, and this season we really stood up well and thats why we dominated and got the double we deserved." Zion will be hoping to continue dominating their league when the new season, with its new format, re-opens next week.
