There’s nothing quite like a cup final to be involved in and it will be great to get through tomorrow and move forward in the competition, says Punjab United boss Chipie Sian

PUNJAB UNITED manager Chipie Sian says he wants his side to finish their campaign strongly and has targeted a cup final.

The Gravesend-based outfit are presently sitting in the bottom-five in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having picked up 22 points (six wins, four draws) from their 19 league outings.

Sian’s men are only five points clear of the relegation zone, which contains Bearsted (17 points from 19 games) and Canterbury City (14 points from 21).

Reflecting on their 1-1 draw at Deal Town at the weekend, Sian said:  “It was a good performance against Deal Town and in reflection we should have won the game, but in those conditions we take a good point away from home.”

Punjab United make the trip to First Division side Sporting Club Thamesmead in the Challenge Cup Third Round tomorrow night.

Jointly-managed by Aaron Jeffrey and Ennio Gonnella, the hosts are in the bottom four in the First Division table, having picked up 17 points (five wins, two draws) from their 16 league games.

“Looking forward to the cup competition, it’s something I really want to do well in.  There’s nothing quite like a cup final to be involved in and it will be great to get through tomorrow and move forward in the competition,” said Sian.

“I know it’s going to be a tough game tomorrow and we are expecting a battle, so hopefully we know what we have to do to get the result.”

Sian, meanwhile, is looking up rather than over his shoulder.

“The campaign has had its ups and downs.  We had an awful start, losing a lot of players a week before the season started, plus injuries but we have been slowly getting in the players we need and are improving as a group.

“We want to finish the second half of the season strongly and try to get up the table. It’s been tough going but we have a great group of guys here and hopefully we can push on.”

Sporting Club Thamesmead  v  Punjab United
Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup Third Round
Tuesday 10 January 2023
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ