A sensational Tommy Powell hat-trick and a brace from loanee Adam gave Zion a deserved 5-2 victory over current champions Deer Park Rangers. The Lions showed great character to fight back from a two goal deficit.
The scene was set for a title defining match. Both sides knew a win would give them the momentum required to be in pole position for the title. Three points separated the sides with Zion hoping to extend their advantage. The game didn't start well for last season's runners up, and many pundits commentating on the match had their chances written off, claiming that the Lions had choked. That was due to Deer Park opening up a two goal lead. They showed the urgency and desire of a side that were obviously determined to be top dog's once more. A decent break forward and shot beat Steve Winter in the Zion goal. Minutes later and the lead was doubled when another break saw the goal breached. It seemed Zion had not settled into the match, mainly due to the fact that Zion's Manager had a host of squad members unavailable. Adam came into the starting line up due to a ninth hour loan agreement, but with little time to adjust to Zion's style he was unclear of his role and Zion looked less organised and drilled than their opponents. It was when tactical alterations were made, that Zion got themselves back into the match. David Jones moved into a more attacking position, swapping with Adam, and this formation showed greater balance and ultimately allowed Zion to pass their way back into the game. It was Jones who set up Tommy Powell for Zion's first goal of the game. Powell held the ball up brilliantly, before a change of pace in the play that left Rangers chasing shadows. The explosive one-two with Jones and the sublime finish into the bottom corner gave Zion fans hope. Chances were frequent at both ends as the nature of the game was open. Zion pushed for an equaliser, and Deer Park looked to counter. Steve Winter made some spectacular saves to keep Zion within a goal of their opposition going into the interval.
The improved display towards the end of the first half allowed the travelling fans to keep the faith that their side could turn around the deficit. Their faith was well rewarded when Zion's ability to turn defence into attack proved too much for Deer Park to handle. Adam showed great tenacity to win the ball from a Rangers attacker, and he passed the ball to Jones and broke forward himself. Jones found Powell who seemed certain to score. Only for Powell to pick out Adam who had continued his run to give himself an open goal. The tricky bounce didn't help him, but he kept his eye on the ball and was able to pass it into the net and draw Zion level. It was a typical Zion goal, the type that infuriates opposing defenders, and delights the Lions faithful. The trick was repeated soon after to give Zion the lead. Deer Park Rangers needed the win far more than Zion and so they commited men forward, and this played into Zion's hands. Dan Shotton did brilliantly to dispossess a Rangers striker. He then played the ball forward, setting up a rapid counter attack, which Tommy Powell finished with aplomb. 3-2 and Zion had turned it around. Emphasis was on maintaining their lead, and that was clearly their main objective. Winter made some decent saves when called upon, and the Zion defence was on top form to keep chances at a minumum for their opponents. The strong defensive display perfectly complemented Zion's counter attacking exploits as Zion broke forward in numbers at any opportunity. Adam grabbed his second goal of the game when he once again broke up play, and then ran forward. Powell found Jones, whose first time pass was tucked into the net, by the energetic loanee. The two goal comfort seemed to calm any lingering nerves, and seemed to demoralise Deer Park. They showed little spark or fight as Zion played out the final minutes of the game. They did however, produce a final moment of collective magic to please the fans further. Some beautiful one touch passing saw David Jones receive the ball inside the Deer Park area with his back to goal. In an audacious manner, Jones attempted to back heel goalwards. The ball fell into the path of Powell who was able to tap into the empty net, to seal his hat-trick and Zion's three points.
The pundits were still in shock after the match at what had been an unbelievable series of events. At 2-0 to Deer Park all of the commentators and studio pundits had written off Zion's chances of silverware, only to be eating their words at the final whistle. Bookmakers suspended betting on the destination of the silverware and some bookies were already paying out on a Zion title. Man of the match Tommy Powell was keen to state that there is more work to be done if Zion are going to claim the silverware, "It was an amazing game tonight and the lads should be proud of the way they responded to going down. The character they showed was immense as it has been all season. We are in a great position now to win the league, but it is not over. We need to keep our focus on the task in hand. There will be no talk on the training ground of the title until the maths make us champions. Only if that is the case will we have anything to celebrate." Veteran stopper Steve Winter hopes that Zion will finally grab the title, after several seasons as runners up, "It was a great game tonight. To come back from behind and score such fantastic goals was brilliant. We have opened up a good gap at the top of the league, and hopefully we can now push on and make certain of the title. Four points from three games is well within our grasp, but we cannot take any teams lightly." Defender Dan Shotton was keen to praise striker Tommy Powell and loanee Adam for their contribution to the result, "It was a fantastic effort from everyone tonight, a real graft for the three points. I felt Adam gave us that tenacious play in midfield positions that set up counter attacks so well. As for Tom, he was in sensational form tonight. His finishing was right up there with the best I've seen from him, and his team contribution was fantastic. He led by example, and now we have to respond as a team with the same work ethic, if we are to close out this title bid." Zion next face Scarletfusion, who so far have been the only side to take points off the Lions. They drew last time out, and Zion fans will be hoping that they can secure all three points this time to all but secure the title.
