Cockfosters 1 Punjab United 1 FA Vase semi-final first leg match report: Wayne Bushell’s first-half goal for Punjab cancelled out late on

Punjab United have everything to play for in their FA Vase semi-final second leg next week.

The Southern Counties East League side were held to a draw by Cockfosters in the first leg in Barnet on Saturday.

It was a game dominated by the conditions and it lived up to its billing with nothing between the teams over the course of the 90 minutes.

Punjab had the advantage of playing with the wind in the first half. While it meant that Cockfosters found it hard to get distance on their clearances, Punjab often overhit the ball going forward.

Lee Bird’s fourth-minute free-kick hit the defensive wall before a start consisting mainly of long throws from both sides was broken up when Punjab opened the scoring on 13 minutes.

Jordan Campbell’s long throw from the left wing was only half-headed clear and Wayne Bushell turned the ball over the line.

Cockfosters felt they had strong claims for a penalty turned down on 27 minutes when the ball bounced up and appeared to strike Campbell’s hand on the edge of the area but referee Elliott Swallow was unmoved.

Punjab’s Chris Edwards failed to get any power behind his instinctive shot from the edge of the box but chances were at a premium at either end.

Cockfosters didn’t force keeper Owen Bushell into serious action as Jandir Da Cruz headed wide following a long throw and Cory Ugdomah’s shot was blocked in the box.

Punjab lost Will Johnson-Cole to injury on the stroke of half-time and knew that they’d have their work cut out to defend their lead in the second half.

Gyamfi headed over a long throw on 48 minutes before dragging his shot wide from 20 yards after good work by \Lutaaya.

Wayne Bushell and Jack Barry were immense at the heart of the Punjab defence and the latter made a great