Bike Track Cosmos' 11 game unbeaten run came to an end when they were defeated 5-4 in a pulsating match at Stanley Deason against Zion FC.
The Lions went into the game knowing that they would have to match the work rate of Bike Track Cosmos to come away with victory. The past two matches had seen Zion frustrated by the industry of the Cosmos. The early stages of the match suggested that the game was destined for another scrappy affair. Bike Track got their noses in front when opposing players battled for the ball deep in Zion territory. The ball fell kindly into the path of the breaking defender who poked the ball past Joe Plass. Zion hit back relatively quickly, Tony Dain timed his run beyond the Cosmos' defensive line to perfection and David Jones played the ball through. Dain showed great composure to calmly draw the keeper out and then tap the ball neatly past him. The goal seemed to settle the reds as they passed the ball around nicely. Several chances came and went as a combination of rushed finishing and quality goalkeeping scuppered Zion's attempts. They were made to regret those opportunities when Joe Plass had a moment to forget. The ball got trapped under his feet and he was dispossessed, with the result being a conceded goal, as the opportunist Bike Track striker tapped the ball into the empty net. Bike Track continued with their counter attacking style, they made it hard for Zion with their tight marking and their physical approach to defending. Despite Plass' mistake he continued to play brilliantly, passing the ball around and starting moves from the back. This allowed Zion to have more time on the ball and threaten the Bike Track backline. Nathan Wriglesworth, who's sleep pattern is now significantly altered following the birth of his first daughter over the weekend, had more to celebrate when he levelled the score with a long range effort that bounced its way into the corner of the net. Having enjoyed more of the play and more of the chances Zion would have been slightly annoyed not to have gone into the break with an advantage, but as the half time whistle blew, the game was evenly poised.
Zion came out after the half time teamtalk determined to convert their possession into goals, and looked to draw out the deep lying Bike Track defence. Zion's pressure told as they took the lead for the first time in the match. Dain capitilised on a loose ball in Bike Track territory before unleashing a fantastic strike past the Cosmos goalkeeper. The change in mentality was immediate for the Cosmos who hit back quickly. A low shot from the right was parried by Plass and the ball fell to the feet of Bike Track's large striker who had a simple tap in to equal the scores. At 3-3 both sets of fans were on the edge of their seats. The Lion's faithful were the ones cheering next as Wriglesworth's shot was too powerful for the keeper to hold and Tommy Powell pounced to give Zion the lead, whilst also racking up his 300th goal in a Zion shirt. As Bike Track tried to get back on terms Zion calmed the game down well by keeping possession frustrating the Cosmos. As a result the Cosmos threw more men forward, leaving space at the back for Zion to exploit. Wriglesworth did just that, when he latched onto a Jones through ball and finished brilliantly into the bottom left corner of Bike Track goal. At 5-3 the game seemed won and Zion resumed their keep ball session. However, complacency became the operative word when Bike Track broke forward and grabbed a lifeline with a low shot. The Lions fans were in a state of anxiety, however, the players stayed calm and kept the ball, and as a result Bike Track couldn't find an equaliser.
Manager Tommy Powell was complimentary of his opponents while declaring his delight at the valuable three points, "Bike Track always give us a hard game. Tactically they play a defensive system and then try to utilise their pace on the counter attack. They all work really hard, and so we knew that we'd have to match them in that aspect. We did and in the end our class told. I was particularly impressed with Daino tonight, he was outstanding in defence and attack. The three points are vital, and it now gives us a platform to build upon, for the rest of the campaign." Striker Nathan Wriglesworth was pleased with his two goals when he spoke with pitch-side reporters after the game, "I've had a mixed week really, the joy of being at the birth of my daughter, then the reality of the sleepless nights, and now the two goals in a crucial league win. It's all a bit surreal." It was Wriglesworth who handed Tony Dain the Man of the Match champagne in front of the same reporter. Dain was pleased with the display and earmarked the ability to keep the ball as a major contributor towards the victory, "We passed the ball around so well tonight, keeping it from them and creating chances. We should have taken a few more of them and made the scoreline more emphatic. But you got to give credit to Bike Track though, as their finishing was efficient tonight and they made it tough for us. We need to keep this run going now and not get complacent." Zion will be looking to continue their winning streak when they face Rogue Traders next week.
