All to Play For – FA Cup Replay Beckons After 2-2 Draw

Punjab United despite being 2-0 up will have to make the trip to Crowborough tomorrow night in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay. It was a game full of twists and turns and the score was 2-2 at the full-time whistle.

The game started off with a fiery tempo, as both sides were able to have their fair share of chances within the opening 11 minutes, but neither side was able to find the back of the net quite yet.

However, just a few minutes later this all changed, when Arun Suman was able to whip a dead ball into the box, which was able to find the head of Jack Barry, who was able to dink it over the keeper who was in no man's land, making the game 1-0, 15 minutes in.

It wasn’t just Punjab advancing however, as Crowborough were able to unleash some counter-attacks, and in the 18th minute a ball was sent across the box, but before any damage could be done, goalkeeper Owen Bushell was able to get a clean fist to it, keeping Punjab firmly ahead in the opening stages of this game.

After some consistent efforts from the Punjab attack, a breakthrough came in the 23rd minute, where following some brilliant hold-up play by Roman Campbell, he was able to find Will Johnson Cole on the right, where he striked the ball low and hard, beating the keeper and slotting it home, to make it 2-0.

The first half continued to be action packed as winger, Ethan Okechukwu was able to find his way around a group of defenders, where he then passes it to Will Johnson-Cole, who was able to execute a cutback pass, but unfortunately no one is there to meet it. A confident first half is concluded, with Punjab up by 2, and gunning for a win.

However, the half doesn’t start as Punjab would have wanted it to, because in the 53rd minute a Crowborough player was able to score a goal for the visitors, making the score 2-1, with Punjab starting to fall onto the backfoot of the tie. Following the goal, Punjab decided to act and make an attacking change in the 54th minute, with Hudson Scudder replacing Ethan Okechukwu.

Unfortunately, despite substantial defensive efforts, the visitors score another goal, equalising the game, to make the score now 2-2. Crowborough would not stop their attack here, and they desperately wanted another goal, and they almost got just that but lucky for Punjab, Owen Bushell is in between the sticks, and in the 72nd minute he makes an amazing stop, to keep the scores level.

A lifeline was thrown out for Punjab in the 78th minute, as after much deliberation between the officials, a red card was issued to a Crowborough player, after they lashed out after a challenge.

With Crowborough one man down, Punjab began to throw everything they could at their backline, marching forward with newfound confidence and pride. However, despite these efforts, the final score would remain 2-2, taking the match to a replay.

Even though this may be seen as a disappointing result, it is important consider that Punjab have another chance to overcome the obstacle that is Crowborough, and to do that, the support of Punjab fans will be needed once again.

The Punjab team will next turn to their focus back to the SCEFL, where they will face Larkfield and New Hythe on Saturday the 9th of August at The Steve Cook Stadium.

Thank you for reading – Written by Sahib Singh Khera.