Zion FC's unbeaten record in 2009 came to an end last night against Premiership leaders Bike Track Cosmos. It was a last minute goal that clinched it for the Cosmos side, who now have a great chance of claiming the title this season.
The game started with both sides aiming to give themselves the advantage in this seasons title race. Zion were playing their normal attack minded football, while The Cosmos held a deep, sufficating defensive formation. However, despite their defensive approach they counter attacked with great pace and purpose, causing Zion problems. Steve Winter was forced into several saves as the Zion defence was tested. Dan Shotton was returning from a long term knee injury, and he kept Zion in the game on several occasions with fantastic interceptions and timely challenges. For all Zion's attacking impetus, they struggled to create many goalscoring opportunities. Bike Track Cosmos eventually broke the deadlock when they spoiled a Zion attack and countered. A lack of defensive cover meant Steve Winter was stranded in his goal and could only watch as The Cosmos strike breached it.
Zion were far more effective in the second half, as Tommy Powell and David Jones linked up with greater success. The cutting edge was still difficult to find, with The Cosmos keeping three players behind the ball. However, it was a perfectly weighted pass from Powell that set Jones through on goal for the first time in the match. Jones finished with consumate ease to equalise. The mood around the ground was positive as the home fans felt their side were destined to go on and win. However, it was the Cosmos that countered again, breaking from their defensive formation to stun the Lion's fans by taking a 2-1 lead. A lack of tracking from Zion's attacking players was at fault. Despite the setback, Zion continued to push forward and deservedly got back on level terms when Jones found Shotton, who struck the ball excellently into the bottom left corner of the goal. Zion's concentration went missing soon after the restart, and they found themselves a goal down when their defence was exposed again. Two minutes from time, Powell seemed to have salvaged a point when his well placed shot rebounded off the post and into the net, sparking huge celebrations in the stands. However, another defensive lapse allowed The Cosmos to clinch the victory in an exhilerating finale that could now see Zion out of the title race.
Manager Tommy Powell was less than pleased with his sides display, "It seemed we had to work so hard for all of our goals, the perfect finish or the perfect defence splitting pass. For them it was easy, all their goals were soft." Asked whether his side has conceded the title Powell defiantly stated, "We won't concede the title until it's mathematically impossible for us to win it, but we do concede that losing this game does make it difficult for us. We will keep plugging away and hope we'll be there or there abouts come the end of the season." The returning Dan Shotton had mixed feelings about the game, "It was great personally to be back and score, but to lose was a big blow. We were exposed too often in defensive positions. Scoring goals is great, but if we keep conceding as softly as we did tonight, we'll lose games and that won't do us any good." Five points behind the leaders, Zion now have to rely on The Cosmos dropping points if they have any hope of reclaiming their title.
