Punjab United 0-3 Faversham Town - I'm not going to harp on about the scoreline because 3-0 here is a fantastic result against a very, very good side, says Faversham Town boss Tommy Warrilow

Punjab United 0 – 3 Faversham Town
Location	Elite Venue, Dunkirk Close, Gravesend, Kent DA12 5ND
Kickoff	01/11/2024 19:45

PUNJAB UNITED  0-3  FAVERSHAM TOWN
Presence & Co Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Friday 1 November 2024
Stephen McCartney reports from Elite Venue

FAVERSHAM TOWN manager Tommy Warrilow says his side claimed a great three points here, a big three points, in the third-versus-second Friday night clash at Punjab United.

Jugjit (Chipie) Sian’s men failed to lay a glove on the title-favourites in front of their largest crowd of the season of 352, as Faversham Town put in a professional job to claim a comfortable victory, courtesy of a hat-trick from 26-year-old striker Tashi-Jay Kwayie, who took his goalscoring tally for the season to 14.

“Listen, it’s a fantastic result, a Friday night here, (in front of) a good crowd,” said Warrilow, as the Lilywhites remain unbeaten on their travels in the league.

“We knew it was going to be a battle.  I thought we played the conditions and everything well.  I couldn’t have asked for anything else.  I thought the discipline was good, some good finishing as well.  We looked nice and solid at the back. Everyone, all the subs all contributed and it’s a great night.

“Like I said to you before, you can play pretty football, you can go long, you can go short. I thought we got a lot of joy in turning them in the first half, so if you’re getting joy at it, just keep doing it!  I don’t care what people think about it or whatever, but we got in quite a few times, just our final ball at the end sort of let us down.

“We came in at 2-0 and we just said at half-time we knew it was no way over, especially (with them) coming down the hill. We knew they would get at us, so I think defensively, all the boys from Matt Newman to the back four just defended as they should do, properly, that’s key to the clean sheet.

“I thought they were three very good goals as well, well-worked, good crosses, great finishing and just the most important thing was to get three points because listen, they’re all big games but the teams around you, you want to get three points on the table just purely to keep the momentum going on tomorrow’s fixtures.”

Sian sent out his coach Jindi Banwait for post-match media duties, as Punjab United have now lost three of their last four games, conceding 13 goals in the process.

“Disappointing for us. I’ll take it back, just a couple of weeks when we lost (4-2) to Fisher and we got an unbelievable reaction at VCD (winning 3-2) and I put VCD quite up there, they’ve done quite well, I’m looking at their results and we played them off the park and we went down to 10 men,” said Banwait.

“Today, I’m expecting a reaction after (losing 4-1 at Lydd on Saturday) and suspensions didn’t help us. Jack Hopkins was a big miss. We had to reshuffle in midfield bringing two players in.

“We had a midweek coaching session but not as dynamic as I probably would’ve set for our boys and I think that kind of showed in the midfield.  I think our transitional area in the final third is what really let us down, I think that was it.

“When the ball’s were going up top to our striker Reece Deakin, it was coming down on the second ball and we just lacked somebody to penetrate them.

“I think defensively we done alright, considering, I know it sounds crazy losing 3-0!”

Punjab United were without a couple of midfielders in Jack Hopkins (suspension) and Wayne Bushell (holiday) and central midfielder Dylan Pauw was hooked after 54 minutes into his debut, having played just the one game for Isthmian League Premier Division side Carshalton Athletic.  Lea Dawson has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

Faversham Town handed a debut to substitute midfielder Bradley Schafer, following his release from their league rivals Lordswood, having played for Isthmian League South East Division side Hythe Town last season.

The Lilywhites created their first opening inside the opening five minutes, kicking down the slope at the Elite Venue in Gravesend.

Goalkeeper Jacob Russell launched a big kick straight down the middle of the pitch and Kwayie tussled with Punjab’s right-back Jordan Campbell in the middle, before the ball was played short to Frannie Collin, who controlled the ball before stroking a right-footed drive from 16-yards, which was comfortably held by recalled goalkeeper Rilwan Anibaba, low to his right.

“They linked up, they got in a few times.  Sometimes we have just got to relax a little bit more. I thought we snapped at a couple of things a bit early but the most important thing is you’re creating chances,” added Warrilow.

Banwait explained the reasons why Anibaba was playing his first game for Punjab United since 24 September.

“For those that don’t know, it’s not a major tragedy but it was quite accidental.  After the Lydd game the Bushell family were going home and involved in quite a serious car collision and Owen took a knock, nothing too serious but (he was) shaken up,” revealed Banwait.

“We had to bring Rilwan in. We still had him signed on and registered for us and he was quite happy and he’s a big game player.  I don’t think Rilwan had a bad game.  Rilwan done well, his distribution was good. He’s a good man to have in the changing room.

“It’s not like Owen was dropped or anything. It just a car accident and that was it and plus with his brother being on holiday, who has been a regular starter for us and probably so far he’s been one of the most consistent midfielders we had.

“Two players who played against VCD (Hopkins and Wayne Bushell) were the difference, so it’s very difficult when you’re up against it with Michael Aziaya and young Dylan Pauw, just became quite difficult and that was where we lost the game really.”

Faversham Town’s left-back Bradley Simms launched nine long throws into the Punjab United penalty area and in the 15^th minute the ball was recycled back into the box by Collin towards three team-mates lurking at the back post and centre-half Callum Davies steered a weak header towards the near corner, which was comfortably caught by Anibaba, stepping to his right.

Punjab United created an opening in the 16^th minute when central midfielder Michael Aziaya played a one-two with attacking midfielder Ryan Hayes before hitting a long ball to release lone striker Reece Deakin down the right channel.

Goalkeeper Russell advanced off his line but Deakin’s swept right-footed angle drive bounced past the foot of the near post but Hayes, nor wingers Tarik Ibrahim (left) and Chris Edwards (right) offered their central striker any service and Deakin was often isolated up front on his own.

“It was a frustrating night,” admitted Banwait.

“There wasn’t much in possession. I think we tried to create in possession. We had Tarik Ibrahim out wide. We took a gamble of putting Chrissy Edwards out wide. Jordan Campbell had a good game at right-back. I think he did well against Kieron Campbell.

“But I think we’re looking at more penetrating balls from Chrissy Edwards, some were good, others weren’t as good.

“With Reece, we should’ve been probably a bit more taken a gamble and being alongside him a bit more.  I think we made it quite easy for their defence.  Viewing the game (up in the gantry high above the home dug-out), I was seeing Reece was like four-v-one and our midfield in that transition were almost on the half-way line or just approaching it.

“Why? I don’t know why. I don’t even think Faversham were super offensive really. They were playing the ball out wide and going one-v-one against our players and taking them all on so Reece was isolated but we’ve got to take the hit and move on with it.”

Faversham Town took a deserved lead with 16 minutes and 37 seconds on the clock, as both of Punjab’s full-backs, Jordan Campbell and Stephen Ratcliff went missing.

Hasler (who sat in front of Faversham’s back four in the first half, before switching roles with Matthew Newman further up the pitch after the break) was given time and space by Jordan Campbell to float in a deep cross from within the left wing and Ratcliff switched off to allow Kwayie to hook his clinical right-footed drive across Anibaba to find the far corner from 16-yards, wide right of the penalty area.

“It’s a great finish though,” hailed Warrilow.

“I mean, it’s a good ball in but he’s going wider and to go back across the keeper, as all good strikers should do, he’s done brilliant there Tash.”

Banwait added: “It’s that area, isn’t it? It’s that danger zone area where they say the corridor. Could have the keeper come out? Could the defence have dropped in? It’s always a 50-50 catchment area.

“I used to be a defender and it’s one of those. I’d always looked at the keeper to come and get it and the keeper’s probably looking at me to hook it and I’m thinking is it going to go in as an own goal?

“It’s a difficult area and the striker’s nicked it. He’s taken his chances, that’s what he’s good at. He’s got a reputation about him and it showed, he’s walked away with a hat-trick today and I’m a bit disappointed that he’s come away with the hat-trick because that goal we probably could’ve cleared.”

Hasler floated a free-kick into a crowded Punjab United penalty area and after a spell of head-tennis, the ball came out to centre-half Ben Gorham, who smacked his left-footed volley screaming just over the crossbar.

Punjab United were clearly missing Hopkins’ industry in the middle of the park, as debutant Pauw and Aziaya lost the important battle in the engine room.

Carshalton Athletic have fielded 24 players this season and Pauw has featured just the once, playing 90 minutes in a home 2-1 win over Epsom & Ewell in the Surrey Senior Cup last Monday night.

And going on tonight’s performance here, it was no surprise that he has been swiftly bombed out by Peter Adeniyi.

Banwait said: “I think he done alright. I can’t say the boy done alright; I can’t say he’s done bad.  He’s a young lad, he’s come from Carshalton, he’s stepping up. He’s 22-23, middle of the park against Faversham, so he had to step up to the plate. It’s not as though he doesn’t know the opposition. 

“I think there were patches, some were good, some were bad. I think we wanted him to be a bit box-to-box. It was quite disappointing for the lad but I think he gave a good account of himself. He’s come in new.

“We’re going to miss Jack Hopkins for a couple more games so it may be we have a good look at him again, midweek on Tuesday, give him some minutes for the 23’s just to freshen him up and get him some sharpness and see how he fairs for us and if he wants to stay with us.”

Warrilow said: “I think we’ve set up as we normally do in there but we’ve been a bit more resolute, instead of going straight out to go and win the game. I’ve told them we’ve been a little bit more patient. It’s over 90 minutes, so I thought Woody was driving and doing well and getting us up the pitch and KC (Kieron Campbell). Everyone was out on their feet.  It’s a great three points here, it’s a big three points.”

Pauw clipped the ball forward and it dropped on Hayes’ left-boot, who cracked a volley from 35-yards, which screamed just past the top of the right-hand post with Russell beaten in the 23^rd minute.

The home side often played a high defensive line in open play and Kwayie stabbed the ball short to Hasler, who played a first time pass to release right-winger Nathan Wood, who put in a first time cross, which was cut out by Anibaba.

Punjab United gifted Faversham Town their second goal, when it arrived from the penalty spot 32 seconds and 51 seconds on the clock.

Aziaya gave the ball away to a pressing Hasler inside the centre circle inside the Faversham half before Hasler’s fine pass released Collin (who played behind Kawyie in the number 10 role) down the right, who cut into the box and was tripped by a chasing Aziaya just inside the box and referee Mark Fitzpatrick pointed to the spot.

Kwayie was calm and composed and stroked his right-footed penalty into the bottom right-hand corner, sending Anibaba the wrong way to double the lead.

Warrilow said: “It is what it is. Fran’s done brilliantly and cut in and drove in and obviously he’s got a nudge.

“I thought we should’ve had a penalty before! We’ve had a shot and the lad’s had his hands right up in the air. How he’s not given that, I don’t know, especially, listen, I think it’s harsh now, the handball rule (Law).  But the way football’s going, that’s 100 per cent a penalty prior to it.  But Tash has stepped up and that’s how confident he is at the moment.”

Banwait added: “Well, probably a foul from where I was looking at it.  Disappointed but the whole passage of play was when Michael lost the ball in the midfield area. That was the passage of play really and I think the lad’s frustrated with himself of where he’s losing the ball and just wasn’t creating.

“He’s (Collin) quite cute but he was in the area and he drew the foul and the referee has got to make a decision. I’ve seen them go and I’ve seen them given, negatively for us, this one was given.”

Faversham Town were in full control and Punjab United’s forward players lacked quality to trouble the away side’s two centre-halves of Davies and Gorham, which pleased Warrilow, a former centre-half himself.

“I’ve just said at the end, defensively we were very, very good, very solid and Jacob’s made his first save (at the end of the game).”

Anibaba pulled off a big save to prevent Kwayie notching his hat-trick (42:43), as the controlling Lilywhites hit the hosts on the counter-attack.

Hasler clipped a sublime first time ball sailing over Ratcliff’s head and Wood put in a low cross from the right to set up Kwayie in the middle but his shot deflected off the advancing Anibaba and looped over the crossbar.

Banwait said: “I think that’s the bonus of having Rilwan with us. He’s done well to keep us in the game at that point.

“At this level, 2-0 is a nothing scoreline especially for us going down the hill. We’re glad! I don’t mean that to be disrespectful to Faversham in any other way, 2-0 at home is never going to be a scary scoreline. We’re not, not going to get back into the game.

“We’ve not had the rub of the green this time, that’s what it comes down to.  We’ve worked hard as a unit, it’s not like we were lazy, or we let them back into it but I just think a bit more aggression especially in some areas of the pitch (was needed tonight).”

Warrilow added: “Another chance.  As long as we’re creating, then I know we’re going to score goals but it’s important we switched on tonight because as soon as we lost the ball, there’s a counter-attack on.  They kept a couple of numbers up, having a gamble on it a few times and we defended brilliantly.

“(At half-time I told them) Just to relax, keep the discipline and be prepared to be bombarded for the first 10 or 15 minutes.  I don’t think that sort of happened but we were under a little bit more pressure but again everything aerially, I thought we were completely dominant tonight.”

Banwait said he was warming up the substitutes out on the pitch so left Sian and assistant Jason Powell in the dressing room during the interval.

Dutchman Pauw squandered a glorious chance to pull a goal back for Punjab United four minutes and 20 seconds into the second half.

Hayes whipped in a quality left-footed free-kick into the crowded Faversham Town box from 35-yards out and Pauw’s free diving header flew over the crossbar.

“It’s the lad’s first game. I can’t fault him. He’s put his neck on the line to try to get it. It’s not one of those where a bit more direction, that’s all it is, a bit more direction and that’s it,” said Banwait.

“I’ve got to be honest, he’s come on a reputation, physically I haven’t seen him play. He looked very good in our warm-up, he wanted the ball. He’s young, that’s what happens. 

“Carshalton are Step three so I’m not going to fault that. He spoke to our gaffer and our assistant Jason, so listen, he’s worked hard, some things were good for him, some things not so positive, but we’ll take that back to the drawing board.”

Ratcliff allowed Wood to get in behind him within a couple of minutes of that chance and put in a low cross towards the near post where Kwayie’s shot on the turn was blocked by the legs of Anibaba, who comfortably bent down to pick up the ball.

Punjab United went with three at the back (Ratcliff (left), Jack Barry (centre) and Kyden Lewin-Thomas (right) and Pauw’s poor debut ended when he was hooked in the 54^th minute, followed by Hayes eight minutes later, who offered Deakin little service or support in the number 10 role.

Faversham Town killed the game off with central lone striker Kwayie’s emphatic finish for his hat-trick, timed at 14 minutes and 37 seconds into the second half.

Ratcliff lost the ball to a pressing Hasler inside the Punjab United half and he ran down the right before putting in a cross which was controlled by Kwayie, before turning and rifling a right-footed drive into the roof of the net to score from eight-yards.

“A great finish. A great touch, great strike, so that’s what he’s doing at the moment Tash – he’s really enjoying his football and I think no matter who you are, whatever, if you’re enjoying your football, you play your best football and we’re lucky to have a few of the lads who are doing that at the moment for us,” hailed Warrilow.

“He’s played up front, he’s played in a 10.  We’ve had him before so we know what we can get out of him and at the moment he’s producing.”

Banwait added: “That’s so unlike Steve Ratcliff. He’s the most aggressive defender probably in the league. You don’t want to go on one-v-one with him, just put it down to a mistake, we all make them.

“I’m not going to hang him out, of course not. Steve is one of the club stalwarts. Listen, it was a 50-50, that’s all it was. If he hits the ball well or he has to take one for the team, that doesn’t happen. He’s trying to play it a bit cute, it’s worked for Tash and he’s gone to score that. That’s all it is.

“Steve feels bad about it. It is what it is but by that point I can’t affect hindsight. If Dylan had put it in and it’s 2-1, maybe it would’ve been a different game and how we approached it.  But that just changed the game, I think, as well. I don’t think we’re coming back from 3-0.”

Billy Bennett replaced Collin (and played in the number 10 role before dropping deeper later on) and Faversham Town produced a well-worked move.

Hasler stabbed the ball short to Kieron Campbell, the quiet left-winger played the ball around the corner to release Bennett, who cut onto his right-foot and his 15-yard shot was caught by Anibaba at the second attempt.

When asked how he keeps his squad happy, Warrilow replied: “Just be honest with them, that’s all I can do and whoever is in the side, it is on merit and that’s the simply solution.”

Faversham Town won the corner-count by three-to-one and Schafer floated in their final corner from the left towards the near post and substitute Jarred Trespaderne (whose previous two clubs were Hythe Town and Lordswood) found a pocket of space at the near post to hook his volley harmlessly past the near post.

“I thought Bradley Schafer came in and done alright, it’s hard for him. It’s hard for Jarred Trespaderne, it’s hard for Ian Draycott to come on that late on in the game but he (Schafer) came in, got on the ball, kept it well and settled in.  He knows the majority of the lads so that helps.”

The home side threw caution to the wind late on and switched formation again to 4-2-4 as Russell made his first save of the night (44:40).

Ratcliff hit a long free-kick into the Faversham Town box, the ball was flicked on by striker Paul Vines and fellow sub Jayden Hussain took a touch inside the box and placed his right-footed shot towards the bottom right-hand corner, only for Russell to dive low to his left and stick out a strong left-hand to push the ball behind for the home side’s only corner of the game.

“Jayden’s coming back to fitness. He was excellent for us a couple of years’ ago, a young lad stepping up from our 23’s. He had a serious injury but we’ve got to nurture him again. We know what he’s got to offer,” added Banwait.

“On the pitch we have to be a bit more dynamic. I work with Ashley Probets, who is the lead coach with us here and we try to work on that final third.

“I think Faversham’s defence had an easy game today. I won’t be shy to admit that. It’s not even that they were difficult to break down. I want to see their full-backs under the cosh. We didn’t get round them as much as we wanted, to deliver the ball into the box. It was probably quite long to Reece to try to deal with it, to bring players into play and unfortunately I just don’t think we attacked that second ball the right way to penetrate for a goal.”

Warrilow added: “He saw it late, got down but Jacob’s done well tonight as well. These lot will be there.  Football’s an emotional game and we’re all at it with each other but afterwards it’s done so it’s all fine.”

Ian Draycott came on the pitch at 40:22 in the second half and he went close to adding a fourth goal with the last kick of the game (49:02).

The 36-year-old played a one-two with fellow sub Daniel Thompson (who was twice caught offside after coming on) before the former Folkestone Invicta attacker curled his left-footed shot narrowly around the far post.

“Listen, it’s 3-0.  They’re a good side. They’re going to be in and amongst it. I would’ve taken 1-0. The most important thing, I keep saying week-in-week-out is to get three points. We’re not going to get too high or too low,” added Warrilow.

“We’re going to enjoy it. I know the lads are out tomorrow so it’s nice that they’ve got a nice team bonding day out on the back of a good 3-0 performance in a second-v-third game.

“Listen, I’m not going to harp on about the scoreline because 3-0 here is a fantastic result, against a very, very good side.”

VCD Athletic are two points clear of the Lilywhites in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having picked up 35 points from 14 games.

Faversham Town remain in second-place with 33 points from 14 games and are joined in the play-off zone by Punjab United (28 points from 15 games), Fisher (25 points from 15 games) and Danny Lye’s newly-promoted side Larkfield & New Hythe (24 points from 14 games).

When asked what tonight’s result means to the title-race, Warrilow replied: “Nothing! It’s just another win. No one’s won anything, so we’ve just got to keep chalking them off and have that tunnel vision.

“Listen, it’s a win, full stop. It’s three points and we’ll know what it is at the end of April but at the moment we just chalk them off one at a time.”

Faversham Town welcome Southern Combination League Division One side Billingshurst to Salters Lane in The FA Vase Second Round on Saturday 9 November.

When asked what he is expecting against their second-placed lower league opponents, Warrilow replied: “Nothing yet because I’ve only found out. I had no thought on it until tonight was done, so I’m going to watch a game tomorrow but I’ve made a few calls. I know quite a few people down in Sussex so when we get to them we know what they’re about, but we’ll just set up and concentrate on ourselves.”

Punjab United welcome Billy Shinners’ Stansfeld here on Saturday 9 November, a side that are in 12^th place going into tomorrow’s fixtures, having picked up five wins, two draws and eight defeats.

“I’m still very positive that we’re in the race, of course we are, a play-off place for definite,” insisted Banwait.

“I’ll stick my neck out on the line. We’ve got to aim for second, third, fourth, fifth. We’ve gotta. Can we? What it depends on is how the other clubs put it to Faversham and VCD. We’ve beaten VCD at home. We’ve got to play them away, Faversham away. Not an easy place to go, they’ll have a very good crowd, a 3G pitch, but listen our lads play well.

“Listen, this (defeat tonight) means nothing really. It doesn’t take us out of it. Anything it consolidates us as a club and a community to make sure we are in that mix come the end of the season. I’m quite sure we will be.

“Coming from me as a defender, the goals we’ve conceded (13 in our last four games) are (a concern).  It’s our first back-to-back defeats after 15 league games, so I’m not worried about that.

“We’ve got to react (against Stansfeld), we’re at home, we’re strong at home.  Listen, it must be a must-win three points if we’re going to be in that mix. I’m sticking my neck on the line.  The lads have got to stick their necks on the line and do it at least for Chipie and at least for Jason and at least for the coaching staff who are putting a lot of hard work in.

“There’s a lot of people who work behind the scenes and the players are the ones that have got to reap the rewards for the club.  I put it down to the lads to show us and let’s get these three points on the board!”

Punjab United: Rilwan Anibaba, Jordan Campbell, Stephen Ratcliff, Michael Aziaya, Jack Barry, Kyden Lewin-Thomas (Jayden Hussain 71), Tarik Ibrahim (Malachi Hudson 74), Dylan Pauw (Hudson Scudder 54), Reece Deakin (Paul Vines 80), Ryan Hayes (Cruis Nyadzayo 62), Chris Edwards.

Booked: Jugjit Sian 18 (manager), Dylan Pauw 45, Jordan Campbell 62

Faversham Town: Jacob Russell, Tariq Ossai, Bradley Simms, Samuel Hasler (Jarred Trespaderne 74), Callum Davies, Ben Gorham, Kieron Campbell (Ian Draycott 86), Matthew Newman, Tashi-Jay Kwayie (Daniel Thompson 78), Frannie Collin (Billy Bennett 64), Nathan Wood (Bradley Schafer 78).

Goals: Tashi-Jay Kwayie 17, 33 (penalty), 60

Booked: Nathan Wood 25, Ben Gorham 49, Samuel Hasler 53

Attendance: 352
Referee: Mr Mark Fitzpatrick
Assistants: Mr James Beadle & Mr Thomas Colyer
Observer:  Mr Simon Cutler