The FA Vase is a welcome relief from the league, says Punjab United boss Chipie Sian

PUNJAB UNITED manager Chipie Sian says he is struggling with injuries ahead of their FA Vase Second Qualifying Round tie at Colliers Wood United tomorrow.

 

The Gravesend-based side are sitting in the bottom three in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having collected a win and two draws from their opening 10 games.

Punjab United open their FA Vase campaign on a nine-match winless streak, while Colliers Wood United are in fifth-place in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South table with 16 points from nine games.

They are six points adrift of league leaders Beckenham Town, who rose to the top of the table for the first time after their 5-2 win at Balham on Tuesday night.

“We haven’t started well in the league,” admitted Sian.

“We just haven’t recovered from the injuries from the (pre-season) Medway Tournament which has left us short, from playing the way we did in that tournament to now, it’s a massive difference and having nearly seven players out has put us where we are in the league.

“The players have been great working hard and trying to get things right in training, we will get it right soon.

“All managers go through this. I’m not complaining, just got to get on with it and start to get results.”

Punjab United reached the First Round of The FA Vase a couple of seasons ago and Sian wants to reach this stage again with a shock victory in south-west London tomorrow.

“Tomorrow’s game is a welcome relief from the league and gives us another chance to get a good performance in. We have a few players back this week so hoping it will give us a boost.

“We did well in the FA Vase last season and hoping we can progress through again.”

Colliers Wood United  v  Punjab United
The Buildbase FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 25 September 2021
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Wibbande Sports Ground, Robin Hood Way, Wimbledon, London SE20 0AA