The FA Vase run continues for Chipie Sian and his Punjab United side as they overcame Wessex League side Downton 1-0 at The Steve Cook Stadium.
The game started off with very little chances both teams seemed nervous and didn’t want to make a mistake. The first chance of the game came after 14 minutes when Downton’s Bret Pitman played a through ball to Archie Whitfield, his shot went over the bar.
Just after half hour Downton keeper Ross Casey makes a minor mistake, Punjab United Jack Hopkins tries to take advantage to give Punjab the lead, but Downton’s defence quickly recover to clear the ball. Punjab’s first real chance came after 36 minutes, when Terlochan Singh shoots narrowly wide.
Just before half time Downton were given a setback when their defender Sam Bradford was shown a straight red for a high foot on Punjab’s Ronan Campbell.
The first half ends goalless.
The second half started with very few chances for either side. Both teams made changes to their teams with substitutions to try and change the game.
The first big chance of the half came with just fifteen minutes left, when Chris Edwards produced a long throw and it got flicked on to Harry Ottaway who shoots it over the bar.
Downton’s ten men than had “their chance” with 7 minutes to go when Harry Mcgrath drives at the Punjab defence with a low cross in front of goal, but Punjab defence scramble the ball away.
With penalties looming, the breakthrough finally came with just 3 minutes to go as Hudson
Scudder’s sublime cross fell to Jack Hopkins and his header flies past Ross Casey at the far post.
Punjab United held on with four minutes of injury time which were probably the longest four minutes Sian’s life to seal their place in the FA Vase Semi Finals.
Punjab United are just 180 minutes away from reaching Wembley.
Punjab United: O. Bushell, Lewin-Thomas (Scudder 60’), J. Campbell (Gill 79’), W. Bushell (C), Ratcliff, Hopkins, Edwards, Bryon, R. Campbell (Ottaway 63’), Singh (Bird 60’) Johnson- Cole. Subs: Dawson.
Downton: Casey, Clark (Delaney 66’), Bradford, Farrugia, Beard (C), Whitfield (Davies 90+3’), Pitman, Mcgrath, Griggs, Burbridge (Balmer 56’), Moore. Subs: Mcgregor, Bertie.
Attendance: 655