Cray Wanderers continue a twelve match run of Tuesday-Saturday fixtures this evening in the Kent Senior Cup as Punjab United visit Flamingo Park for the first time and the first competitive encounter between the sides. 

Kick off 7.45 pm with the game going to penalties if level after ninety minutes.

The Wands had a great weekend making it through to the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for only the fourth time and will be awaiting this evening the outcome of the destination with a visit to Wingate & Finchley or Bedford Town for the tantalising prospect of a first ever 1st Round appearance.

Saturday’s game saw a composed but at the right times lethal display from Cray summed up two tremendous first half minutes which saw two goals of differing quality but both were breathtaking.

Ola Ogunwamide in a rich vein of form cracked home his third in four games and fourth of the season with a great cut inside and shot from the right which the top left corner after eighteen minutes.  Two minutes later Lafeef Adaja’s fine cross from the left was dispatched at the far post by Ade Yusuff for his ninth goal of the season.

One player who deserved to get on the scoresheet was Adaja and decided the contest in the second half being in the right place at the right time to score after Alex Hernandez’ cross shot hit the goal frame and fell invitingly for his first goal of the season. 

With such a long run of games to come there may be a chance for some of the talented U23s squad, currently top of the SCEFL Development League to get a chance for first team football and in front of the home fans just to give some players a breather.

Punjab United are an upwardly mobile club who have had a whirlwind ten years and now play in the Isthmian South-East for the first time and also their Kent Senior Cup debut. They advanced to tonight’s tie with a penalty shoot-out victory in the Preliminary Round after a 1-1 draw at Erith Town with Roman Campbell scoring before a late Erith equaliser. United held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties.

Punjab United with three ex-Wands in their squad possibly tonight in Sam Wood, Lea Dawson and Paul Vines after a difficult start to the season are now unbeaten in three and are 17^th with nine points. On Saturday the momentum built after a 3-2 win vs Horley Town at home with goals from Stephen Ratcliff, William Johnson-Cole and Hudson Scudder.

They also beat AFC Croydon Athletic (2-1) at home and drew with Eastbourne Town (1-1) while away they picked up points at Cray Valley (2-2) and Margate (2-2). Their other games ended in defeat at home to Sittingbourne and Sheppey United and at Erith Town, Faversham Town and Deal Town. In the FA Cup they  reached the Preliminary Round beating Seaford Town before losing to this season’s Cup sensations SE Dons after a replay. Their first ever FA Trophy game saw a 0-2 defeat at home to Horley Town in the 1^st QR. 

The 2025-26 season was a great one for Punjab United and Chairman/Manager Chipie Sian. After finishing 5^th in the ScEFL Premier and reaching the playoffs for the second straight year a 3-1 win at Fisher in the playoff semi final was followed by another test of resolve winning at Rusthall after a 1-1 draw and won 4-3 on penalties to reach Step 4 and the Isthmian South-East for the first time.

They also reached the Semi-Finals of the FA Vase beating Oakwood, Wick, Wembley, Tadley Calleva, Burnham, Benfleet, Fisher and Downton before losing the two legged Semi-Final 3-1 to Cockfosters.

The Gravesend based club were founded in 2003 and in the 2016-17 season were elected to the Kent County League Premier where they won the title at the first attempt and won the Kent Intermediate Challenge Cup and League Cup Finalists 

The following season United won the SCEFL Division One title earning promotion and held their own in the Premier.

In 2022-23 Punjab United were Kent Senior Trophy winners, a tournament Cray have won in the past beating Deal Town 6-0 in the Final at Maidstone.

The 2024-25 season saw the playoffs reached for the first time losing to VCD Athletic in the Semi-Final.

Last season was special and now beginning to fins their feet at Step 4.

This should be a great night under the lights and entertainment. 

Admission £5 for all adults, U18s free on the gate or online at www.cray-wanderers.com/tickets. 

A4 programme, merchandise and hot/cold food, drinks and bars. England v Czechia on large screen.

Pictures supplied by Natalie Stribbling and Ben Keyes.