Punjab United were celebrating at Sheppey United’s Tiger Stadium after a second half treble from George Goodwin secured the clubs first ever trophy – a hugely enjoyable Kent Reliance Intermediate Challenge Shield win against a gallant Borden Village side.

It was only after a very evenly contested 85 minutes that the Gravesend based side edged ahead for a third and finally decisive time as they finally got the better of their Kent County League rivals who incidentally are the only side to beat Punjab this season.

Borden went ahead when Joe Sands drove home initially, but Punjab levelled before half time when William Johnson-Cole fired through the crowd from the edge of the box.

The second half began with the two sides trading goals – Goodwin’s powerful header put his side in front for the first time, before Ashley Baverstock brilliantly guided a header inside the far post for 2-2.

Luke Adams put Punjab back in front with the goal of the night from 25 yards before George Latham levelled the scores for Borden at 3-3.

Goodwin then completed his hat-trick in the closing stages with another fine header and a late, coolly taken penalty.

For Punjab manager Jugjit Sian it was a truly proud night, as he told KSN, “I’m a very happy man! It’s the first trophy for the club – it’s the first of three that we’re going for.”

“We knew Borden would be tough – they’re the only team who have beaten us so far. So I think the boys were ready for tonight.”

“We didn’t play well that day and we knew how good they were – they’re a good bunch of lads who we know and we knew they’d be up for it.”

“I told the boys beforehand what we needed to do – we had to move the ball early and if we’d have got roped into their game, I knew we’d get stuck!”

“I went in at half time and I told the boys that if we keep playing the ball early we’d get on top and I’m delighted that we showed heart and kept going!”

For Borden boss Nick Brown it was a disappointing Saturday evening. “Not really our style of play tonight and I think the big occasion got to us,” he told KSN.

“That said, fair play to Punjab – they’ve come out and shone more than we did on a fantastic occasion, so fair play to them.”

“Going 2-1 down after being one up, we showed some grit and we got on top for a little while, but at the end of the day, I guess that they probably deserved it.”

“They are a good side, but if we can keep going in the League, we’ll have had a good year and if we can push on again, I’m sure that we’ll be challenging for honours next year!”

Borden took the lead just past the quarter hour when Sands got in behind the Punjab United defence and beat keeper Richard Miles as he slid the ball home.

The lead though didn’t last long as from their next corner, the Gravesend side levelled. The flag kick wasn’t cleared properly and Johnson-Cole was on hand to drive the ball back through the crowd and into the Village net.

Punjab indeed would have been in front at the break had Matt Cunningham not hooked the ball off of the line after Simon Cuthbert’s mazy run and shot had beaten Borden keeper Carl O’Neill.

Borden almost got the lead back just after the break when a combination of Miles and the post denied Ben Taylor from a long throw.

Punjab then took the lead for the first time when Goodwin headed home a deep cross only for Baverstock to glance a great equaliser as Borden came straight back.

Punjab then retook the lead when Adams picked the ball up and arrowed a drive beyond O’Neill’s full length dive and into the net.

Borden though still refused to lie down and Baverstock turned provider as he sprinted down the left and his driven ball to the near post found its way into the net as striker Latham and defender Zanone slid in.

With the game in the balance, Goodwin then struck twice in the closing minutes – firstly another pinpoint header and the second from the spot – to complete his hat-trick and his side’s victory; a victory that coach Sian dedicated to his side’s supporters.

“I’d like to thank each and every one of those who came to Sheppey to back us – the trophy is for them and for our community! We’ve never won anything like this before and so we’re going to celebrate tonight…”

 

Borden Village FC – Carl O’Neill, Matt Cunningham, Ross Frost, Ben Taylor, Reiss Crimmen, Joe Sands, Sam Brown, Paul Teague, Liam Baxendale, Ashley Baverstock, Tommy Price

Subs – George Latham, Scotty Forster, Jack Brown, Dan Hudson, Jay Law

Punjab United FC – Richard Miles, Sonny Poonia, Charan Lidhran, Sam Zanone, Rajan Salhotra, Adam Cuthbert, Simon Cuthbert, Arun Suman, Luke Adams, George Goodwin, William Johnson-Cole

Subs – Regan Payne, Ben Stunt, Rashpal Bhens, Ben Patrick, Taldev Gosal

Referee – Chris Price
Assistants – Mark Cheeseman, Andrew Wheaton, Alan Escudier

Match Photos by PSP Images.