Punjab United tonight head to Oakwood looking to continue their remarkable season and qualify for the SCEFL Premier play-off Final for the right to play for a place in the Isthmian League next season.
Standing in their way will be League runners-up VCD Athletic, but for Punjab boss Chipie Sian, it’s not about just making up the numbers, Punjab are aiming for a place in the Final on Bank Holiday Monday.
Speaking to KSN ahead of the game, after his side clinched their highest ever League placing as they beat Erith & Belvedere at the weekend to secure the final post season berth, he told us, “Saturday was so nerve wracking. There was so much relying on the result, especially when everyone in the dug-out were looking at the other games! At one stage they told me we were fourth… it was one of those afternoons.
“When they equalised at 1-1, the whole dug out went quiet and I just hoped it wasn’t going to be one of those days, but I always thought that we had enough to win the game, and we’re all just so happy to get over the line.”
Stefan Payne’s second goal for Punjab proved decisive as the Gravesend side erased the memories of missing out twelve months ago after seemingly set for post season then as well. “It more than made up for last year,” the boss told us, “As I said to you in another interview, last year I think we let ourselves down. I didn’t improve the squad at the right time, but we have done this year, and it’s made a big difference. We have had a good squad every game and not been light on numbers even with a couple of injuries!”
“I said to the boys after the game at the weekend, “Why can’t we go up?”; why is everyone talking of Whitstable going up or VCD or Fisher? Why cany we go up as we have a really good chance now – two games go and win them, and we will be a step four club – that is the challenge now!”
Punjab make the short trip up the A2 Tuesday to face the runners-up, “We know that it’s going to be really difficult,” Chippie told us, “We have not feared anyone we have played in the League all season and we are not going to start now. We are going to set the boys up, get them ready and we will get going!”
“The two League games that we have played against each other have been tight – they’re probably more worried about them than we are about them – but I do believe that all League form goes out of the window now… it’s a one off and the best team on the night will take the spoils. All the other stuff – unbeaten runs, winless runs, league positions – it all goes out the window. It’s a one-off game and the best side on the night will win and go through to the Final.”
“We are all really looking forward to the game. We have told the boys that they are two wins from being promoted and that’s what it really does come down to!”
The winners at Oakwood tonight will face the winners of the other game – Whitstable Town vs Fisher – in Bank Holiday Monday’s Final for that promotion place to the Isthmian League.