A Jekyll and Hyde performance from Zion ended in a 5-4 defeat at the hands of current champions Deer Park Rangers. Having endured a torrid first half, Zion almost retrieved the situation with a spirited second half display.
It was a dismal first half for the Lions who seemed more like strangers than team mates such was the poor level of passing. 3-0 down despite the good efforts of Steve Winter and Zion already looked like they were dead and burried. A lifeline gave their travelling fans hope, when a good run down the left by Alex Ternouth, allowed Dan Shotton to tap home the resulting cut back. Despite that brief respite for Winter, he was picking the ball out of his net again minutes later, when a Rangers player danced through the defence and poked the ball in for their fourth goal. 4-1 at half time did not look good for the Zion players, who had been second best all over the pitch and had perhaps been lucky to escape punishment for a few reckless challenges.
A response was required by the away support, and that is what they were treated to. A completely contrasting performance gave them real hope of a positive result. Alex Ternouth was first to reduce the deficit, when he raced onto David Jones' through ball, and after his first effort was parried he anxiously tapped the ball in off the post. Moments later Jones played the ball through to Tommy Powell who finished brilliantly despite an awkward bounce. Powell then turned provider as his pass was converted by Jones sparking scenes of jubilation in the crowd. 4-4 was an astounding achievement against the reigning champions, but then came the sting in the tail. Moments from time Steve Winter was caught out by the Deer Park striker. It seemed the ball would be passed to Winter's right, and the keeper moved that way in antcipation, only for the striker to shoot to Winter's left from distance. Winter could only watch in horror as the ball squirmed into his net. 5-4 was rough justcie for Zion who had been made to pay for a poor first half performance in cruel fashion.
Manager Tommy Powell felt his side showed great fight to get back into the game, "I'm proud of our second half fightback. It showed them that when we play the way we can they can't get near us. But the less said about the first half the better. We were poor, and that is what cost us. We need to keep ourselves in the race now and hope that when we face them again, we can get a win." Man of the match Alex Ternouth told Nuts magazine that he was dissappointed with the loss, "We are a bit gutted, coz we dominated them in the second half and got ourselves level. To be honest I lay the blame for the defeat at Steve's feet for letting that winner in." The newspapers went crazy after that last comment and Ternouth's spokesman later delivered a statement retracting the comment, "The forementioned comment made by my client was delivered in a jestful manner and at no point did he intend to offend Steve Winter who he regards as a great friend and team mate. My client apologises for any misunderstanding that has been caused." Rumours of a rift in Zion's camp continues as Steve Winter refused to comment on the matter, with media circles believing that the club has suspended Alex Ternouth for several matches. It remains to be seen if that is the case, but the Lions fans will be hoping for a united front when their side faces Premiership newboys Scarletfusion next week.
