Zion FC sensationally fought back from a 2-1 deficit to secure a 9-3 victory over Scarletfusion. Four goals by Tommy Powell, a hat-trick for David Jones, and a brace for Man of the match Alex Ternouth secured the points, as Zion returned to winning ways with fantastic free-flowing football.
Tricky conditions greeted the both sides as the temperature decreased while the wind velocity increased. Zion had to cope with playing against the wind in the first half and started with some great passing football. In contrast to last week they maintained this high level of performance throughout the game. It was a fine goalkeeping display by the Scarletfusion stopper that kept Zion from opening the scoring. It was his side that shocked the home fans with a smash and grab goal. A real counter attacking move disected the Lions defence to make it 1-0. An equaliser was always on the cards and the Zion goal finally came when Tommy Powell set up Alex Ternouth who tucked the ball home. The momentum was with the reds and Zion peppered the Scarletfusion goal. The keeper stood firm making save after save, and when he was beaten the target was narrowly missed. Then another shock for the Lions fans. The second time Scarletfusion came forward and their second goal to regain the lead. David Jones embarrasingly stretched and diverted the ball into his own net, as he tried to intercept a certain goalscoring situation. 2-1 the half time score, an undeserved deficit for a dominant and stylish first half performance.
The second half saw total domination from Zion with great passing moves seeing Scarletfusion camped in their own half for the majority of the half. An equaliser came Zion's way when Tommy Powell slid the ball home after David Jones had profited from a defensive back pass. Scarletfusion out of nowhere managed to grab a goal to regain the lead. The shock was short-lived as Zion poured forward. Powell pounced from a Jones pass again tom make it 3-3, and he then completed his hat-trick with a great finish after the two combined again. The Lions never looked like surrendering their lead, with Tony Dain and Alex Ternouth comfortably breaking up play and starting counter attacks. Powell struck again to make it 5-3 with a brilliant striking instinct to tuck the ball home. Powell was indebted to Jones for the key passes that had allowed him to score, and he duly gave him an installment of the debt with a great cut-back which allowed Jones to tap home. Jones turned provider again when he spotted Ternouth's forward run, and the breaking defender showed great composure to tuck the ball into the net. It was one way traffic and the Lions showed no mercy. Jones made it eight with a neat finish, and then he wrapped up the game with his last kick. He had much to thank Tony Dain for, as the kick forward was aimed at the breaking defender, only for an ecsquisite dummy by Dain to completely dumfound the Fusion keeper as the ball hit the back of the net. The audacity of Dain clearly excited the Zion crowd, who were delighted to have seen their side win so convincingly after last weeks loss.
The mood in the Zion camp was much brighter and Tony Dain was first to speak with the media, Dain: "It just shows what we can do when we concentrate on playing football. It was a great spectacle for our fans and the neutrals and the passing football we played yielded goals. We all enjoyed the game, and when you play with freedom and enjoyment it helps you to achieve and keep motivated." Manager Tommy Powell was clearly pleased with his side, "We played brilliantly today. We were all in shock at half time, having absolutely dominated only to be facing a deficit. But we didn't feel sorry for ourselves and we worked hard and got the win, convincingly too." Man of the match Alex Ternouth spoke with the media about the sides performance, "It was a great performance. We had to show character to come back from behind. But it was never in real doubt as we had been playing so well. Credit to Scarletfusion for making us work hard for the win. They took their chances, and at half time they looked like they could punish us. Our quality eventually shone through and we got the win, and the boys are buzzing." Zion hope to continue playing great football when they face Real Portslade next week.
