Punjab United Football Club: July 2007

TWO MORE FRIENDLY DATES CONFIRMED

Punjab have confirmed two more dates for friendlies.

Thursday 2nd August 2007
Dainite Sports at CTC kick off 6:30pm.

Saturday 4th August 2007
Medbourne at CTC kick off 2:30pm

PUNJAB OPEN PRE-SEASON CAMPAIGN WITH A WIN

Punjab United 3 Weekly Vale United 1

Andrew Cox(2)
Shaun Lewis

Punjab kicked off there pre-season fixtures with a 3-1 win over Weekly Vale United.

With the line up having a blend of youth and experience.

The game kicked off at a good pace with the visitors having the best of the early exchanges.

Victor Carvalho had a header hooked off the line after good work by Gary Wilson and Hassan Mumin.

Goalkeeper Jazz Saini made an outstanding first half debut in the nets with two crucial interventions when it looked like the visitors were going to take the lead.
Weekly then had a penalty shout which was turned down.

Instantly Punjab went up the other end and opened the scoring when Andrew Cox drilled home from 15 yards to make it 1-0.

Punjab then introduced young 15 year old trialist John Carvalho on the left side of midfield.

The youngster produced some good touches and showed good movement and always willing to take players on.

In the second half a Gary Park long ball was met by Andrew Cox he beat the defender and rounded the keeper for 2-0.

Second Sub Sean Lewis hammered home the 3rd from 20 yards to make it 3-0 before the visitors pulled a goal back from former Punjab United player Darren Sartain who gave Punjab's second keeper of the match Hassan Mumin no chance with the finish.

3rd Punjab keeper Gary Wilson made an outstanding one handed save then cleaned up the rebound.

All in all a good game played in good spirit with both teams getting a good work out.

Punjab squad:- Saini, Shergill(g), Huseyin, Calder, Birk, Carvalho(v), Park, Caka, Wilson, Cox, Mumin, Carvalho(j), Lewis.

SKIPPER TO TIE THE KNOT

Punjab United Skipper Paul Hetherington (Skinner) will tie the knot with long term girlfriend Stacey Dobson on Saturday 28th July 2007 at 14:00pm at Studfall Avenue Church Corby.

With a select few players and management team invited to the wedding.

However Skinner would like all his team mates to come along to the evening reception at The Corby Rangers Supporters Club as of 7:30pm.

PRE-SEASON TRAINING

Punjab United reported back for pre-season training on the 12th July for there first session.

A strong presence of 12 were put through there paces in preparation for an eagerly awaited second season in Saturday football with the new challenge of Division 2.

The Squad will train every Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30pm till 8:30pm at CTC Corby on the grass pitch.

The whole squad are advised to bring suitable running shoes and football boots.

Manager Amrit said "If our preparation is good we should see Punjab doing well again".

The new season will kick off on the 1st September 2007 and if the squad apply themselves well we should see the team perform from the off unlike last season where we kicked in around Mid October.

Anyone who would like to come along to Pre-season training are more than welcome on the two nights.

The Club have around 4-6 friendlies lined up.

PLAYERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR WINNERS 2006/07

Players Player Of The Year (1st place) Andrew Cox

Players Player Of The Year (2nd Place) - Paul Hetherington

Players Player Of The Year (3rd place) - Gary Park

MANAGERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR WINNERS

During the six years of being part of this great set up for the first time I had a near impossible task of picking a 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners for the Managers Player Of the Year Trophies.

In all fairness there was over 12 very good candidates who could have scooped this years trophies.

Nevertheless I went with Gary Wilson whose tireless running, eye for goal, countless assists and top professionalism when selected and not selected, played a major factor in my choice for 3rd place.

In second place I went for Striker Andrew Cox 35 goals in a debut season by anyone's standards is a great season. A few eyebrows were raised but by November I started to see the player I was very keen to add to the Punjab front line. On training form at times you wouldn't pick him but on match form he is a valuable player who can make things happen.

Finally the winner and a true winner this season. Duncan Homer in six years at the club has covered every outfield position going.

Early season he played full back was then converted to Centre half before playing a prominent role across midfield but he really shone when he produced some outstanding displays at Centre half in the Title run in.

May I take this opportunity to thank all the winners from 2006/2007 season for some truly memorable moments and the crowning moment when we lifted the league championship.

Thank you again to all the players and staff at Punjab United FC.

The Gaffer (Amrit Poonia)