We're really trying to get over the line and secure one of those promotion places, says Punjab United coach Danny Barham

PUNJAB UNITED head coach Danny Barham says it will be a real achievement by the club to win promotion to the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division at the first attempt.

The Gravesend-based outfit extended their unbeaten run to 10 games after winning 4-2 at Meridian VP last Saturday.

K Sports are sitting at the summit in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division on 78 points from 31 games, seven points clear of second-placed Punjab United, who have a couple of games in hand.

“In our last outing against Meridian VP we were pleased with the performance and the result considering we hadn't played for two weeks due to the adverse weather,” said Barham.

“Despite two minutes of madness in the second half where we conceded two goals I was very proud of the players for their performance for 88 minutes of the game.

“We scored some very good goals, made a lot of good chances and were aggressive and hardworking out of possession. Meridian are a very nice club with good people looking after things and we'd like to wish them all the best with the rest of their campaign.”

Punjab United host basement boys Crockenhill on Good Friday, before hosting Sutton Athletic on Easter Monday (both games kicking off at 15:00).

Crockenhill have suffered 15 straight defeats and have lost 27 of their 30 league games and with no floodlights at Wested Meadow, are at risk of dropping down to the Kent County League.

“This Easter weekend is all about respecting our opponents and approaching the games in the right way,” said Barham.

“This league has shown time and time again that teams can all take points from each other and so nothing is ever a foregone conclusion. In every game there are 11 men trying to stop you getting the three points you want and so how our team prepares for each game is vital.

“Fortunately, we have developed a group of players over the course of the season that really buy into what we are doing. They're hungry for each game and so they set about preparing for matches in the right way, which as a management team we can't ask for anymore.

“Our work throughout the season has left us in a position where promotion to SCEFL Prem is a real possibility and so our target is to achieve that. It would be a real achievement from where this club has come from to play in the top division of Kent football so we're really trying to get over the line and secure one of those promotion places.”

It’s been one in and one out ahead of transfer deadline day.

“Prior to the Fisher game we had one in and one out in the squad,” said Barham.

“Our prolific frontman from last season Luke Adams joined our local friends Greenways and we're certain he will be excellent for them.

“It was a shame to see Luke go as he fits our profile of being a young Gravesend based player but as a club you've always got to respect it when players want more game time to progress themselves and so Luke left with our blessing and we know he's going to a good club in Greenways.

“We managed to bring in another attacking option in Michael Hagan, who although he was playing for Chatham Town, is a player that we've known for a long time as he used to play for us when we were a Sunday league outfit.

“Again we are very pleased as Michael is another young Gravesend based player. On top of that he has come in and really brought into the coaching we offer and showed a hunger to impress and help our promotion push.”

Punjab United  v  Crockenhill
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Good Friday 30 March 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Elite Venue, Dunkirk Close, Gravesend, Kent DA12 5ND