Zion FC's much changed side, hammered The G.A to clinch the runners up spot in the league this season. Matt Emerson scored four goals, as a superb team performance of dominance combined with style, led to an enormous 9-1 scoreline.
Zion started brightly, with little sign of the unfamiliar teamsheet they had selected. Attempts on goal started to regularly worry the G.A keeper as passing moves cut open their defensive line. Alex Ternouth was on the scoresheet first, when he played a neat one-two with debutant Dan Jacques before finishing with aplomb. It was Jacques who was next to strike, after defensive vulnerability led to a long range strike into an exposed net. The midfielders calm and precise finish earned rave reviews in the TV studios at half time. Ternouth then doubled his tally with anothyer decent finish. The G.A were a threat on the counter attack, however, they were limited to half chances and long range efforts which Steve Winter excelled in keeping out.
The second half also belonged to Zion, and Matt Emerson immediately stamped his authority on the game finishing off a great team move. It was Emerson again who added to the Lions lead with a neat finish, what was most impressive about his display was his intelligent positioning and timing of forward runs. Jacques then grabbed his second of the game striking past the keeper after some good build up play. A momentary lapse in concentration at the back allowed a G.A concilation, but that just stirred Zion into further action. Emerson twice struck in quick succession with decent efforts as the G.A defence was over-run by some quite brilliant passing moves. David Jones finally got himself on the scoresheet when he struck a venomous left footed half volley past the keeper after a decent pass from Emerson. The whistle blew to the delight of the home crowd. The G.A fans were doubtlessly already making their way home well before the referee signalled the end of the game. The 9-1 score was no more than Zion deserved and they left the field in the knowledge that they had secured 2nd place this season.
Absent manager Tommy Powell was able to speak with Sky Sports News via webcam after the game, and his delight was evident when he spoke of his sides display, "The boys were fantastic today, they have not played together very often but it really didn't show as they played brilliantly and to win 9-1 against rivals was great, all credit to the lads." Man of the match Dan Jacques was pleased with his debut performance when he spoke with Talksports Ian Abrahams after the match, "It was great to get out there and play, the buzz around the ground was amazing and the fans were great to me. To score two and be part of a great team performance was like a dream." Zion will look to end the season on a high when they face Close FC next week in the final game of the season.
