The 1st team faced Nottingham Players back on home turf with Jag Bancil and Shin Bhachu sporting their new correctly coloured shorts and socks.

Within 5 minutes Union had Nottingham pegged back in their own half but were unable to find a way to break down their stubborn defence. The price was paid early on as a Nottingham short corner rebound was put away. Everyone knows Manny Sokhi loves a loopy reverse shot, and he didn’t disappoint. He received the ball at the top of the D and his effort looked like it was about to be slapped away by the goalkeeper, but Micky Hayer intervened to deflect it into the goal for the equaliser. Jimmy Singh was directing his team from the middle, in his poetic expletive way, with defensive dynamo Nav Soar feeling the early brunt of his wrath. Union had the ball switching from side to side and were able to find Satvir Sahota and Manny down the inside channels. Jag Bancil the target man laid off the ball for Anoop Sahota, finishing off a good move to give the hosts the lead. Manny managed to find space for another loopy reverse shot but this time the ball ended up over the fence. A counter attack from Nottingham down the right couldn’t be stopped by Hardeep Tara, and their cross found their striker to prod the ball past fluorescent Raj Grewal in goal to level the score. Half time 2-2.

Straight from the second half whistle Union pressed Nottingham and won the ball back where Joshua Lal created a chance for Jag Bancil to smash into the roof of the net. Another goal came in quick succession with right back Sunny Shoker firing in a cross for Manny to put Union 4-2 up. Jag Tara couldn’t contain his excitement as he jogged back to the halfway line before realising he hadn’t fallen over this game yet, so dived into the foetal position on the ground clutching his ankle.

Union never do things the easy way and Nottingham Players’ deflected short corner was tapped in at the back post for 4-3. Jimmy then flicked in a short corner low into the goal, and Shin shimmied past a defender to reverse in a fancy short corner move to make it 6-3.

Sikh Union’s high intensity attacking intent kept the door open for the opposition to counter, with an aerial ball beating the defence and the Nottingham striker sweeping in to the net from a tight angle. Micky was not content with being substituted repeatedly and he showed his worth by winning the ball back with his high pressing along with Jag Bancil. They faced the keeper in a 2v1 and Micky’s effort fell kindly for Jag to slap into the empty goal for a 7-4 lead. Finally there was time for Micky to flick in from a tight angle into the roof of the net and end a pulsating second half.

Mom Jag Bancil for his hardwork and persistence knowing his goals will start flowing in the second half.
Manny came close by showing his consistency but half his votes were from the Sokhi family.

Dod could have been Jimmy who probably had a go at every player at some point, but Hardeep got the votes for his performance at left back allowing a cross in for one of the goals conceded.