Zemura’s Class breaks record Jordan Zemura

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter 

ZIMBABWE international, Jordan Zemura, was involved in a new club record at AFC Bournemouth following their victory at Stoke City on Tuesday night.

The win helped the south coast English side to consolidate their lead at the top of the Championship table.

The 21-year-old played the full match as the Cherries prevailed 1-0, away from home and, in the process, writing a new chapter, in the club’s record books. Scott Parker’s team have now kept six successive away clean sheet in the league, passing the club’s previous best, which was set by Ken Bird’s team, during the 1947/48 season. It was then matched by Ryan Allsop’s team during the 2012/13 season.

The Cherries’ brilliant run translates to nine hours and 42 minutes, since they last conceded on the road, in the league.

Nottingham Forest’s Scott McKenna was the only home player to score against Parker’s team, in the English Championship, this season.

Bournemouth’s push for promotion into the English Premiership gained momentum, following Tuesday night’s tight win, at in-form win, at Stoke City.

Playing under adverse weather conditions, striker Dominic Solanke extended the Cherries’ unbeaten start to the season, to 13 games.

Zemura, who is enjoying a fantastic start to life in the Cherries senior team, after graduating from the development side last season, has played every minute of this thriving campaign.

He has been heavily involved in the defensive duties at leftback and has also chipped in, with three beautiful goals, including the beauty at Bristol City, in their previous game.  

But, it is the new record of six clean sheets, which has thrilled Cherries boss, Parker. 

The Bournemouth manager attributed the success to the commitment demonstrated by his players.  “Six clean sheets is no mean feat, away from home,’’ he told Sky Sports.

“I think, first and foremost, every player built their game on a solid performance defensively — and the work-rate and desire, as a team, was very pleasing.”  The Cherries defence became the first this season, to stop Stoke City from scoring, at their Bet365 Stadium. 

The Potters had netted in all eight games in all competitions.

“I think you could see that tonight. I thought we played against a really good side, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” said Parker.

“We had to show that side of us, which we’re starting to get used to seeing, which is that we can grind it out, and put bodies on the line.

“We’ve got a desperation to keep the ball out of the net — and it’s a good habit to have. 

“For large parts of the game, we did really well. We’re a team that wants to go at teams. They’d not lost at home, they’re a strong side, so that’s a good win for us.”

The victory also saw the Cherries open a six-point gap at the top.

They also established an eight-point lead, over third-placed Fulham, who were expected to host Cardiff last night, and fourth-placed Coventry, who visited Preston.

Despite the win, Zemura and his teammates could have felt hard done by referee Dean Whitestone, who turned down a penalty appeal, after the Zimbabwean went to ground under the challenge of Ben Wilmot.

The Stoke defender appeared not to have touched the ball.

Zemura could also have finished the match with an assist, when he played in Solanke, but the striker saw his right-foot shot come crashing off the crossbar, in the 73rd minute.

It was also a good evening for compatriots, Brendan Galloway and Macauley Bonne, who were on target in the English League One.

Galloway helped Plymouth Argyle shoot to the top of the table, when he grabbed the opening goal, in the 3-0 triumph over visiting Bolton Wanderers.

The defender, who now has two goals under the belt this season, netted in the sixth minute, to lay the foundation, for the big win. 

Plymouth assumed pole position in the race, with 29 points, one above Sunderland, who have two games in hand.

Galloway was given a rating of 8/10 by the Plymouth Herald’s Chris Errington.

“Restored to the starting line-up, after his recent trip to Africa, on international duty with Zimbabwe,’’ noted Errington. 

“Produced another composed defensive display and chipped in with the opening goal of the game after a nod down from Dan Scarr.”

Red hot forward, Bonne, was also on target.

He got the opener, in Ipswich Town’s 4-0 victory, over Portsmouth. 

This was his 10th goal, in 13 starts, and it propelled him joint top of the EFL League One scoring charts, with Cole Stockton, of Morecambe. But, there was anguish for Tendayi Darikwa, who conceded an own goal, which sunk his team, in a 1-2 home defeat, to MK Dons.  This was the second time he has scored an own goal this season.

Admiral Muskwe made his second appearance for Luton Town, since returning from a seven-week injury setback. 

The forward was introduced as a 31st minute substitute, in the 2-2 draw with Derby County, on Tuesday night.

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