Tommy Powell was on top form as he inspired Zion FC to a gritty 3-0 victory over Embassy FC. It was a cagey match that offered little to the neutrals, however, Zion battled their way to the three points and as a result remain three points ahead of the chasing pack.
The first half started at a slow pace with neither side in the ascendency. Embassy were using defensive tactics to disrupt Zion's attacking rhythm. The open matches usually seen between these sides have more often than not, resulted in a thumping win for Zion, so it was little surprise that Embassy were trying something new. They were marking high up the pitch, and allowing little room for Zion to get their foot and the ball and pass. In fact it was Steve Winter who was the busier of the goalkeepers, making some fantastic saves. Brett Joyce was forced to leave the pitch injured after picking up a groin strain and he has been ruled out for the season. Club masseusse's will be working extensively on the dynamic South African over the next few weeks to get him ready for next season. It was an ugly match, where defenders were dominating. Tony Dain and Dan Shotton were making light work of Embassy's strikers. Eventually the breakthrough came. Tommy Powell combined with David Jones, playing a neat one-two before sublimely chipping the keeper to notch his 38th goal of the year. The game remained tight, with few chances and an abundance of physical battles.
Fans were hoping to see a more open game in the second half as Embassy chased the game, however, it remained cagey as they feared the Zion counter attacks. Winter, Dain, and Shotton were excelling defensively, while Powell and Jones were doing their utmost to create a little space for each other. The Zion strike force however, found themselves working back regularly as they protected their slender lead. That slender lead, became a little more comfortable when Powell doubled his tally. Good work from Shotton allowed Powell to fire the ball into the empty net. He was off-balance and did well to control the ball with his shot. The game didn't exactly open up, however, Zion were again able to extend their lead later in the half, when Shotton sent Jones through on goal. Jones used Shotton's continued run as a decoy as he wrong footed the keeper and planted the ball into the corner of the net. Zion's goals were well taken, however, it was the clean sheet that was perhaps the most impressive part of the performance with outsanding tackles, blocks and saves.
Zion Manager Tommy Powell was pleased with his sides determined performance, "We were made to work hard for this result, but we ground it out. It wasn't pretty but the boys gave everything they had and at the end of the the game we came out on top." Defender Dan Shotton was pleased with the clean sheet Zion achieved, "It's always great to get a clean sheet, we worked so hard all match and it's great to feel rewarded with an achievement like that." Midfielder, David Jones aplauded his Player-Manager after the match, "Tommy was brilliant today, the defence did it's job at the back and we got the clean sheet, but it was Tommy who gave us that little bit of magic up top to win us the three points. He held the ball up well and despite the tight nature of the match, he played a vital role in holding the ball up for us to play some football". Zion fans will be hoping Powell and his players will be on top form for their crunch match against Dazeone next week.
