Late Barry Blitz Secures Vital Win for Punjab United in Playoff Push

It was a rainy afternoon at The Artic Stadium as we faced Stansfeld FC for the second time this season - a crucial match to have any chance of making the Southern Counties East Premier Division playoffs.

Jordan Campbell got us underway in our full orange kit, with us shooting down the hill and Stansfeld attacking up the hill.

The first big chance of the match made its way to us where a corner was whipped in by Steve Ratcliff onto the head of Wayne Bushell who fired it on goal but was miraculously cleared off the line despite the shouts of whether it had gone across the line or not.

Five minutes later we had another corner, this time on the other side where Chris Edwards whipped it in for Reece Deakin who just headed over the bar.

They say third times the charm and that exactly what happended. Another corner by Chris Edwards was whipped to the back post where it bounced in the six yard box before Stefan Payne fired home to make it 1-0 and get his first goal for the club in the 27th minute.

Stansfeld 0-1 Punjab United (Stefan Payne 27th Minute)

That goal seemed to make Stansfeld come to life as they had their first clear cut chance of the match. A ball over the top fell to Dario Sesay-De Luca who was 1v1 with Owen Bushell but Owen made himself big and made a huge save to keep us ahead.

Another chance fell its way for us as this time a long throw by Ratcliff was headed on by Wayne Bushell to the back post where he just headed wide, despited penalty shouts of one of our players being pushed.

Owen was kept busy in this first half as Chris Alhassan drove into the edge of the box before taking a low shot where Owen had to push away to keep the score as it was.

Just as the first half was about to close Owen was yet again called into action as Jack Calvert had a shot which was saved but when attempting to get the rebound he clashed with a player before Mayowa Olufeko just headed over and the half-time whistle blew.

Half-Time: Stansfeld 0-1 Punjab United

No changes were made at half-time for both teams and Stansfeld got us underway for the second half with us attacking up the hill.

The second half started how the first half did, a few half chances but nothing clear cut to report on. The first big chance came in the 67th minute where Reece Deakin attempted to chip Stansfeld goalkeeper Albert Penney but went over the bar.

Despite not much happening in most of the second half, the last ten minutes brought the game to life. A cross from Chris Edwards was cleared by Stansfeld who counter-attacked and a long ball by Billy Marsh fell to the feet of Dario Sesay-De Luca who chipped the ball over Owen Bushell to make the score level in the 82nd minute and put our playoff hopes at risk.

However many times this season we have came back late on to win games and we needed it more than ever. Chris Edwards had to come off with a knock and Jack Barry came on in the defensive line.

Just approaching the 90th minute mark Steve Ratcliff had a long throw which was headed on by Wayne Bushell and fell to the feet of substitute Jack Barry who fired home to make it 2-1 and potentially seal the three points for us.

Stansfeld 1-2 Punjab United (Jack Barry 90+1')

The last few minutes went by and the referee blew his whistle meaning that we had got a massive three points and with results going our way, going into the last game of the season we would be in the last playoff position.

All eyes will be on Saturday as we need to either match or better Rusthall's score as we take on Erith & Belvedere at The Steve Cook Stadium. Rusthall will be at home on Saturday also as they take on champions Faversham Town.

Full-Time: Stansfeld 1-2 Punjab United

Stansfeld – Penney, McCormack (C), Buhari, English, Asiedu, Mead, Calvert, Hughes, Olufeko, Sesay-De Luca, Alhassan

Subs - Shepherd, Bishop, Marsh, Williams, McKone

Punjab United – O.Bushell, Edwards, Thomas, Payne, Ratcliff (C), Hopkins, Adesite, J.Campbell, R.Campbell, W.Bushell, Deakin

Subs - Barry, Majekodunmi, Moynes, Johnson-Cole, Suman

Stansfeld Goals - Sesay-De Luca (82)

Punjab Goals - Payne (27), Barry (90+1)