Zion FC took a massive step closer to retaining their Premiership title when they destroyed Real Portslade 6-3. A David Jones Hat-trick and a goal a piece for Tommy Powell, Brett Joyce, and Dan Shotton inspired The Lions, as the bookies have already started to pay out on Zion title bets.
The pre-match build up had all been forcasting a tight match with few opportunities, the game however, did not go that way. Zion were intent to build on their great form this season and they played some fantastic attacking football that Portslade failed to cope with. Short passing and great combination football opened up the Real defence time and again. David Jones was first on the scoresheet tapping home after a blocked Tommy Powell shot fell invitingly into his path. Jones and Powell combined again moments later, when Powell neatly finished after a good pass from Jones. More chances came and went before Zion added a third. Tony Dain who was marshalling the defence brilliantly broke forward and played the ball through for Jones, who rounded the keeper and finished comfortably. Paul Muzzall in the Zion goal was having a great game, especially considering the amount of required concentration. Portslade's rare efforts could have caught out a largely redundant keeper, but Muzzall produced fine saves to keep them out. Just before the break Zion made it four. Muzzall's long clearance was controlled by Jones, who was through on goal due to a defensive slip. The midfielder steadied himself and again rounded the keeper before grabbing his hat-trick.
The opening stages of the second half continued in the same vain as the navy shirts broke forward with purpose. Brett Joyce made it five when he latched onto David Jones' pass before unleashing a powerful drive into the back of the net. The goals didn't look like drying up, but strangely they did for a ten minutes spell. In that time Zion saw many chances squandered or saved. At the other end Portslade managed to grab themselves some consolation goals. A counter attack ended with a neat finish, and a defensive mistake put pressure on the Zion players. The Lions responded though and sealed the victory when Dan Shotton rose to meet a Tommy Powell cross. The tall defender dumfounded the pundits with his ability to divert the pinpoint cross into the net from a tricky position with his head. The game was already won when Real Portslade salvaged some pride with a late strike making the result 6-3, which perhaps flattered the whites. Zion's victory gives them an eight point gap at the top of the league. Now needing just five points to be guarenteed a second successive title.
Zion fans were already singing Queen's anthem "we are the champions" as they strolled down the legendary "Wilson Avenue Walkway" away from Zion's home ground. Manager Tommy Powell however, was not getting carried away in his post-match press conference, "The title is within touching distance but we can't start treating it as a forgone conclusion. We need to show the same drive and passion in the next few games, to ensure that we secure this title again. As for tonight's performance, it was first class." Brett Joyce feels that Zion cannot rest on their laurels heading into the closing stages of the season, "We are eight points clear which is lekka, eh, and at this stage of the season, but until we are home and dry mathematically, eh, we won't get carried away. We played some great stuff tonight and we gotta keep that going now." Paul Muzzall appreciated the football displayed in front of him, "It was mesmorising at times, the one touch football and the calm finishing. I enjoyed watching it. I got myself an assist as well which was nice. It's important for the guys to keep playing well even though we are so far ahead of the chasing pack." Five points to gain from four games for the Lions, who now seem certain to get their hands on silverware again. They can edge closer next week, if they defeat Bramble United.
