Zion FC complete back to back title winning seasons in 2nd gear.
Thankfully a light dusting of rain took the edge off the blistering heat, but certainly didnt dampen the performance of the mighty lions. A comfortable 6-1 win over Bramble FC, Zion made yet another premier league outfit look very average. It seemed crazy with 4 games left to play, Zion were already within grasp of the title and what should have been a tense gripping game, turned out to be a walk in the park with your aunt Daisy!
With Steve Winter out on loan, Dain and Jones missing from the team sheet, questions were raised in the pre match build up whether Zion could carry on the success and level of performance that had been previously enjoyed. However, there were no strangers in the players that filled that void and fill it they certainly did. Zion started well as has been the pattern this season and were quickly and clearly the more comfortable with the ball, keeping possession and cracking open the defence right from the get go. Quite frankly this game should have been double figures, but with some fine efforts from the Bramble goal stopper and some poor finishing from the lions strikers gave hope to the crumbling opposition.
It was Powell with the first to get Zion started with a nice strike from outside the box, Zion then continued to pile on the pressure and soon after Morrison had made it 2. After some early dominance Zion lost their footing and had a messy period of play where passes just didn’t seem to come right, but stayed solid and compact through Joyce and Shotton. Just before the break and after a hatful of missed chances Powell made it 3 and looked like the night was closing in early for Bramble.
The second half continued strongly for Zion with Shotton and Joyce breaking well and linking up from the back, Zion played some nice possession football leaving Bramble chasing shadows and picking out a few neat passes. Again plentiful of chances fell to the lions and with some heroics from the keeper kept the score respectable. Shotton found Powell who moved the ball into Morrison and then a quick 1-2 cut the defence open for Morrison to grab his second. With Zion now stepping up the pace; Joyce played a neat pass into Morrison who drew and then shook free from 2 defenders to play in the breaking Powell, after juggling the ball over the defender and then the keeper turned out to a scrappy finish with an easy tap in. Bramble with few chances managed to claw back some respect with a sweet pass through, leaving a one on one and neatly finished. Quickly Zion were back into attacking football and Morrison rounded 2 defenders and slotted home. The experienced Paul Muzzall had a quiet night, but when called upon reacted well and pulled out some fine saves.
After the game the lions discovered that they had sealed back to back titles with their closest competition drawing leaving Zion with a massive 10 point lead. With some good teams from the Championship looking to challenge Zion for the title next year Shotton said, “I can’t wait to meet some new opposition, let’s hope they can raise the standard.” Joyce echoed “If we can win so comfortably in 2nd gear, wait till we hit full speed.” Manager Tom Powell was quoted as saying "The competition this premier league season has either not been up to par, or Zion FC have just been too good. “ Zion are now 7 from 7 this season and yet to loose in 14 games, when will this impressive dominance of the Premier league come to an end…
