BRIGHTY THE HERO AS PUNJAB FINALLY OVERCOME VOLTA TO LIFT THE CUP

Divisional Cup Final - Raunds Town 7:30pm kick off 22nd April 2008

Punjab United 2 Finedon Volta 1 (After Extra Time)

Andrew Cox

Chris Bright

HT 0-0

FT 1-1

Punjab starting line up showed 3 changes from the side that beat Wellingborough Ranelagh at the weekend.

Julian Millington and Victor Carvalho made way for Warren Barry and Gary Wilson with the injured Gary Park replaced by Ahmet Huseyin.
Punjab started and finished this match very strongly as early exchanges saw Pitra, Logue go close with long range efforts.

Pitra and Logue bossed the game in midfield the back line brilliantly marshaled by Homer and the front two Cox and Chong were a threat all night.

Despite all the pressure Punjab could not force there way through from wide areas or down the middle with the Volta keeper in very good form.

Michael Chong in particular missed 3 good chances in the first half alone which could have ended this contest.

However both sides went in 0-0 at the break.

Second half was more one way traffic and with this happening there was always the chance that Finedon Volta could nick the goal.

This duly came when a long throw in was chested down by there front man to the winger running in who placed the ball into the bottom corner to give Volta a 1-0 lead against the run of play.

Punjab with this fantastic team spirit and "Never Say Die Attitude" put the Volta goal under siege with Gary Wilson being denied alongside Pitra, Cox, Chongy.

Punjab changed the shape of the side by introducing the speedy and powerful Julian Millington in a 3 pronged front line replacing Gary Wilson.

Fresh impetus and energy with Jules making plenty of good runs down the channels.

Again chances went begging continuously, Volta were tiring but Punjab stepped up another gear.

A further change saw Chris Bright replace Ahmet Huseyin as Pitra joined the front line as Punjab went 3 at the back.

Again plenty of chances but they could not force the breakthrough as again Volta's keeper denied Chongy and Pitra this time.

The final change saw Warren Barry make way for Victor Carvalho as more fresh legs tried to change the face of the game.

This time a long kick by goalkeeper Hassan Mumin was flicked on and Claudio Pitra danced round 3 players before letting the ball run to Andrew Cox who placed the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

The Punjab touchline spilled onto the pitch as this was a huge relief with so many chances created and such a dominating performance which looked like seeing them go home two years on the trot without a trophy.

The goal timed at 88 minutes.

Punjab pushed for a late winner but it never came and the game went into extra time.

The players came in but the adrenalin and the will to win meant they did not want to go home without the trophy.

The gaffers message was simply "Volta will have to rip the trophy from you"...no go and win it!!!!!!

Victor Carvalho now playing right wing back played a solid part as Pitra, Chong and Coxy were doing plenty to occupy the Volta back line, backed up by the sheer drive and determination of Logue and Bright.

Into extra time and Michael Chong won the ball that he played into Pitra whose clever ball fell to Sub Chris Bright who lifted it into the net to give Punjab a 2-1 lead.

Again the celebrations on the touchline were fantastic lead by Chairman Garinder Birk and Manager Amrit Poonia.

The 2nd period of extra time was more one way traffic when Michael Chong blazed over from 7yards.

Coxy struck the defender after taking a neat pass from Pitra.

The final whistle came as Punjab celebrations began this was a huge win and one that was fully deserved.

The trophy was presented to Skipper Paul Hetherington as the party began and ended around 4am Wednesday morning.
Punjab Starting Line Up

1) Hassan Mumin

2) Duncan Homer

3) Paul Hetherington

4) Ahmet Huseyin ***

5) Jaspal Saini

6) Michael Logue

7) Gary Wilson *

8) Andrew Cox

9) Michael Chong

10) Warren Barry **

11) Claudio Pitra

Subs

18) Victor Carvalho **

19) Julian Millington *

20) Chris Bright ***

21) Stewart Hetherington

22) Bruce Calder