I have no doubt we will grow and become more established in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, says Punjab United assistant manager Paul Lorraine

PUNJAB UNITED assistant manager Paul Lorraine says the club will grow and become more established in the Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

The Gravesend based side are sitting in the bottom three in the table with 15 points from 17 games and have Crowborough Athletic (13 points from 20 games) and Greenwich Borough (12 points from 17 games) below them in the table.

Punjab United threw away a two-goal lead at home to local rivals Corinthian to come away without any points in their last outing on 28 December.

“We knew our last game against a strong Corinthian was going to be a tough one,” admitted centre-half Lorraine, 36.

“We spoke before the game that Corinthian are a well-organised and fit side and are having another superb season under the leadership of Michael Golding.

“We started the game brightly of the two teams and took a well-deserved 2-0 lead into the interval.  We also had a goal unfairly disallowed, in my opinion.

“However, we knew Corinthian would not give up and they produced a good comeback to win 3-2, scoring from a corner, a penalty and their last goal came from open play.

“We will learn from the game and will continue to train hard to become fitter and better organised.”

Lorraine was appointed Chipie Sian’s assistant manager on 19 December and the former Ebbsfleet United captain is enjoying life at the Elite Venue.

“The squad Chipie Sian has assembled are fantastic to play with and are all great, humble guys off the pitch too, which is important to us,” said Lorraine.

“Punjab United is a tremendous club to play for.  Chipie and the owners are the most-kindest and supportive people you can meet and I have no doubt we will grow and become more established in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.”

Looking ahead to their trip to fourteenth-placed side K Sports tomorrow, Lorraine said: “K Sports will be another tough one as we know our opponents extremely well having been promoted together a couple of seasons ago.

“Paul Atkins has got K Sports very well-organised and they are a physical outfit to play against.

“We will need to play to our maximum to win the game and are looking forward to the challenge.

“On behalf of everyone at Punjab United, I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year!”

Will Johnson-Cole is Punjab's leading goalscorer with 13 goals this season, while K Sports' main man in front of goal is Matt Gething with 10 goals.

K Sports  v  Punjab United
Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 4 January 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Cobdown, Station Road, Aylesford, Kent ME20 6AU