Late Comeback Not Enough - Rayners Lane vs Punjab United Match Report

Rayners Lane 2-1 Punjab United

Match Report by Harvey Puttick

After Punjab United won their first pre-season game against Greenways comfortably 3-0, they made their first trip of the season as they made the trip across London for our second game of pre-season.

The game had a physical start with both sides wanting to test how tough the opposition were. Some rough challenges from either side set the pace for the rest of the match.

In the 15th minute, the first chance of the game came as some silky footwork from Will Johnson-Cole gets him past the defender and whips a ball into the box but a header from Jayden Hussain was unable to find the back of the net.

Punjab were punished for missing that chance as Rayners Lane scored in the 32nd minute as a great pass opened sees the striker get there before Owen and volleying it into the goal to make it 1-0.

Just before halftime Owen Bushell made two outrageous saves to keep Punjab trailing by one and keep them in the game.

Going into the second half, Punjab started to control the game but were unable to create a true chance until the 75th minute where a great run and even better ball by Wayne Bushell put our trialist one-on-one with the keeper but he was just unable to get the ball around the keeper as he made a great save.

Rayners Lane forced Lee Kidman into making two brilliant saves back to back but was unable to keep the third one out as Meshach Williams fired home, making it Rayners Lane 2-0 Punjab United.

After the restart, Punjab were able to put the pressure back on with a long throw. The throw fell to the feet of one of our trialists inside the box where he smashed it through the keepers legs to half the deficit and make it game on.

Goal For Punjab United - (Trialist - 80th Minute)

Another set-piece gave us another great opportunity as Ashley Probets whipped a ball to the back post which Wayne Bushell headed on goal but a great save from the Rayners Lane keeper kept them ahead.

In the closing minutes of the game Punjab are unable to secure the equaliser but fought well in the second half showing the quality they can bring even with some key players missing.

Next up for Punjab United is a home match tomorrow night against Ebbsfleet United at The Steve Cook Stadium as we look to continue our preparations before the season starts.