Punjab continue their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 win at Whitstable Town in the SCEFL Premier Division!

With a new management team joining Whitstable, it’s best to say that they have had a slow start to the season after the early predictions saying they would be up and around the top of the table. They came into this match 10th in the table with only recording 1 home win in 5 games in the league. Chipie Sian’s side looked to continue that trend with coming into this match with 6 wins and 4 draws, a great start to the season.

It was an even start for both teams with Whitstable playing out from the back but not being able to get the shot off in the final third. However, once they did get in to the box was no mistake from them and they took the lead in the 13th minute. A ball over the top from the Oysters midfielder played Dean Grant through on goal and he made no mistake. Shouts of offside came from the Punjab bench but in the end the goal was given. During the goal, Punjab attacker Ryan Hayes was sin binned and the Jabs were down to 10 men for the next 10 minutes.

But that didn’t seem to bother them as they equalised 7 minutes later. A corner from Chris Edwards fell to Wayne Bushell who fired his shot onto the crossbar which delightfully fell to defender Jack Barry who headed home to level the scoring in the 20th minute.

After the goal, the game settled with both teams scrapping to get any control of the game. However, as Punjab came forward they got another corner. A training ground routine ended up with Whitstable trying to clear their lines but in the end fell to Cruis Nyadzayo who fired into the top right corner from 6 yards out and give Punjab the lead.

Not too much happened after the goal and Punjab went into the break deservedly 2-1 up.

Into the second half and Chipie Sian’s side looked to catch Whitstable on the counter. Not much seemed to happen in front of goal for both teams until the 90th minute.

Owen Bushell, who apart from the goal, didn’t have much to do until this point. A short corner from the Oysters fell to the feet of their attacker who’s shot deflected to the feet of their full-back, Jerald Aboagye, who’s shot was excellently saved by Owen Bushell and kept Punjab in the lead.

The resulting corner was played into the box which Owen excellently catched and fell to the ground while the time was ticking.

In the end, Punjab held out and secured their 7th win of the season, keeping them unbeaten in the league. Their next game is at home to Fisher FC on Saturday 19th October.

On the other hand, Whitstable drop to 13th with only being 6 points above the relegation zone but only 3 points behind 5th. Whitstable’s next game is away to Canterbury City in the DFDS Kent Senior Trophy on Friday 11th October.

After the game, we spoke to Chipie Sian after his teams excellent 2-1 win against Whitstable.

He stated, “We’ll take one game at a time. We’ll let everyone write us off, who cares!”

He also mentioned about the progression the club has made over the years mentioning, “Last season we most probably would have lost or drew that game but it shows how far we have come.”

Whitstable – Colmer, Aboagye, Johnson, Dalton, O’Mara, Thomas (C), Oliver (Dent 61), Grant, Smith, Hatcher (Cotton 70), L.Gillies. Subs Not Used: R.Gillies, Eason, Mcintyre

Punjab United – O.Bushell, Edwards, Thomas, Barry, Ratcliff (C), Hopkins, Hayes, Bushell, Nyadzayo, Ryan (Campbell 64), Scudder (Hussain 83). Subs not Used: Deakin, Probets, Hudson.

HT 1-2 FT 1-2
Goals – WTFC – Dean Grant 13 mins. PUFC – Jack Barry 20 mins, Cruis Nyadzayo 31 mins.
Referee: Matthew Pollington
ATT: 477