Punjab United (0) 2 Adams (pen) 51 Goodwin 90
Stansfeld Oxford & Bermondsey Club (2) 5 Flaher 6,62,81 Slater 22 Hook 47
Headcount: 45
New Ground: 309
Entrance: Free
Programme: None
Mileage: 46/9,541
After last year’s interrogation by their quizmaster, Jim Case and myself decided to give this season’s bunfight a miss and opt instead for a groundhop to the Kent County League champions Punjab United. We were rewarded in a rather unexpected fashion.
The Gravesend-based club have won the league at their first attempt, almost at a canter and, with the addition of floodlights donated to them by Salford City, will next season compete in the Southern Counties East Division One.
Entrance to the game was free and I took my place alongside Jim in the 50-seater Atcost stand after taking photographs of the celebrating squad and supporters with their haul of trophies. It was unexpected when a tray of ham and salad rolls were handed around and, having had no lunch, I wasn’t about to refuse. This was quickly followed by a tray of sandwiches and then, the best samosa that I’ve tasted. There was even a chocolate donut on offer as a sweet but by now I felt that I was over-indulging the hospitality!
Unfortunately for Punjab, their hospitality off the pitch was matched on the lush green field as they produced a performance that failed to justify their champions title. Perhaps, their players diving into the samosas had a bearing!
Stansfeld went ahead after six minutes when the Punjab goalkeeper, Kelvin Arterton dropped a cross from the left at the feet of Nathan Flaher to touch in from close range.
After 22 minutes the visitors doubled their advantage Joe Slater was sent through to shoot past the advancing keeper.
Punjab showed glimpses of the form that has made them the champions and a good move saw Regan Payne in front of goal but he was unable to get the ball out from under his feet.
During the first half, Stansfeld showed more desire whereas Punjab looked to be suffering from a hangover but with a couple of minutes remaining in the half they brought two saves in a matter of seconds out of Joe Bannon that would have graced a game several steps higher.
The game was quickly out of Punjab’s reach in the second half when the Stansfield's George Hook picked out the top corner from 20 yards.
A converted penalty after 51 minutes from Luke Adams offered Punjab a route back into the game but a beautifully worked goal on the hour finished by Flaher snuffed out that hope.
Nine minutes from time, Flaher was sent through to complete his hat trick and make it 5-1 before a consolation headed effort from Ryan Goodwin gave a little respectability to the scoreline.
If Punjab are looking for patronage in SCEFL1 then free samosas are going to do it for me! Meanwhile, down the road, Ebbsfleet finally made it in the National League without a samosa in sight.
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