Zion FC saw their title chances receive a huge boost with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over challengers Real Portslade. A tight match was won by the Lions whose organisation and efficiency were key factors in Zion grabbing the three points.
The media had hyped this encounter as a potential title decider with both sides separated by goal difference. The magnitude of the press attention and pressure may have contributed to a cagey opening ten minutes to the game with neither side settling into any kind of rhythm. Instead defences prevailed with good tackling and timely interceptions breaking up the play. It was not a spectacle, but as Tommy Powell stated during his pre-match press conference, an entertaining game was unexpected against an industrial Real Portslade side. The crowd was left drueling however, when Zion unlocked the Portslade defence for the first time in the match. Tony Dain played the ball forward to David Jones who was able to pick out Dan Shotton at the far post, and the giant defender was able to tap the ball home to make it 1-0. The same trick was repeated moments later when it seemed as if Jones and Shotton had decided to re-create Zion's opener. The action replay saw Shotton tap home again to double Zion's lead. The two goals opened up the game and Shotton could have had a hat-trick but for the woodwork. The half-time whistle came with Zion's goal intact, mainly thanks to a terrific defensive display by Tony Dain and some dependable goalkeeping from Steve Winter.
Zion fans knew the game had not been won just yet, and they were reminded of that fact early on in the half when a break forward from Portslade saw a cheeky back heel from Page find the corner of the net. 2-1, squeeky bum time for the fans. Despite the upturn on the pressure gauge, Zion remained calm and continued to control possession and show great maturity and determination to keep Portslade at arms length. The third Zion goal, that would surely seal the victory almost came when Jones struck a curled effort against the bar. The woodwork was trying its hardest to keep Real in the game, but their keeper was unable to keep his end of the bargain as a howler gift rapped Zion the three points. Tony Dain's throw found Jones, who seemed to have a far too tight angle to shoot and as the keeper expected a pull back, he was unable to react to Jones' goalbound effort and instead fumbled the ball over his own goal-line. Zion's midfielder admitted a mis-queue after the game as he confessed to an attempted pull-back. That admission will do little to comfort Portslade's keeper who completely took the sting out of Real's advances. Zion then dug in and defended their comfortable advantage with some good organisation and work rate. 3-1 was a fair reflection on a game that Zion deserved to win.
The media were keen to build up Zion's Premier League chances after the match but Manager Tommy Powell was keen to keep his players firmly focused on each individual game, "Winning tonight was vital. Desire is the key word that I am pressing on my players. We need to want it more than our opponents every game. Last week we didn't want it enough until we were in danger of losing. This week we responded and showed the effort and will to win that we needed. It is important though, for us to take each game as it comes and make sure we have more desire than each opponent that we face. We can't afford to think of the title until it is won, we have made that mistake before." Tony Dain was awarded the man of the match after a strong defensive display. He was keen to praise the whole side for their commitment to the cause, "The team performance tonight was expectional. We knew it would be a battle and we worked hard for the win. Steve made some good saves, Dan grabbed a goal and then just incase any fans didn't see it, scored exactly the same goal again, and the two attacking players tracked well and caused problems all night long. It was a great win." Steve Winter hailed Tony Dain's performance when reporters spoke with the veteran stopper, "Tony was brilliant tonight. He orgainised the defence well and made some great tackles and interceptions. He was solid and that really helped me out tonight as Real were limited to some tougher opportunites." Zion face their bogey team next, with The G.A hoping to grab three points next week in their bid to avoid relegation.
