Conclusive, Authoritative, and Emphatic are just a few adjectives that adequately describe Zion FC's final league game against Premier League runners up, Dazeone. The result was not important due to Zion's 4 point lead prior to kick off. However, The Lions produced a scintillating performance of attacking flair that added a plump cherry to the summit of their majestically crafted cake.
It was an exciting start to the match as Zion looked to end the season in a stylish fashion. Excusing the pun, the men in red enjoyed the lions share of possession from the start. This has become a regular occurance over the season. Not only was the accurate passing and high ball retention levels a joy to watch for onlooking fans, but it was also the incisive and creative manner that they were excelling in. It was with little surprise that Ben Harwood opened the scoring after great combination play with Tommy Powell. The tone was set for a showcase of class. However, Dazeone were keen to disturb Zion's tuneful rhythm, and managed a scare soon after Harwood's goal. In fact the equaliser was quite sublime. A scorcher from long distance left Steve Winter with no chance. That breakaway strike failed to disrupt The Lions from continuing their flowing football. Powell restored the lead with a good finish after more combination play with the impressive Harwood. The two combined again to add a third, this time Harwood applied the finishing touch. The fourth goal was a testimony of Zion's total football. Defensive duo Tony Dain and David Jones linking up deep in Dazeone teritory. It was Jones who slotted home to make it 4-1 at half time.
The fans were already in party mood before the game, but watching this display sent them into a carnival. Mexican waves and loud choruses of chants were increasing the decibel levels inside the stadium. The noise levels were further raised when Harwood completed his hatrick, profiting from Jones' through ball. It was Powell who was next to take advantage of Jones' creativity as he scored his second. The star of the show was Harwood who rounded of a fantastic performance with his fourth goal of the game. Dazeone rarely threatened the Zion goal, and for large periods of the game Winter was left redundant in the Zion goal. However, the rare break that Dazeone mustered saw Winter show his class with some acrobatic saves. The "silver fox" as he is affectionately known by his fans has been in fantastic form throughout the season, conceding the fewest goals of any keeper in the league. It was Dain who completed the scoring after some great movement from Powell allowed Jones to provide an easy tap in for the talismanic defender.
Powell held the Premiership trophy aloft to the delight of the Zion fans. His joy was hard to conceal in the post match press conference. "We have been brilliant this season. Our flowing football has caused our opponents so many problems and the character we've shown is evidence of the great set of lads we have in our team." Dain echoed his Managers sentiments "The attacking way we have won this title is great, its a joy to play in this team." Goalkeeper Winter stated "Its a victory for attractive football. We've played such good football, we worked so hard for it, and the seven point winning margin is the least we deserved. Tonights result just shows that when we play calmly and with no fear, we produce our best performances." Jones has already turned his focus onto the next campaign as he showed by his ambitious comments, "I think its about time we won back to back trophies, and started dominating this league every season." That ambition will be sweet music to the ears of The lions fans, who will be looking for Zion's great form to continue in the coming season.
Premiership Team P W D L F A GD Pts 1 Zion FC 7 6 1 0 37 13 24 19 2 Dazeone.co.uk 7 4 0 3 34 21 13 12 3 McMags FC 7 4 0 3 25 22 3 12 4 Bike Track Cosmos 7 3 1 3 25 25 0 10 5 Townsend FC 7 2 2 3 24 37 -13 8 6 Embassy FC 7 2 1 4 23 25 -2 7 7 The G.A 7 2 1 4 21 37 -16 7 8 Rogue Traders 7 2 0 5 17 26 -9 6
