Khalsa get within two minutes of promotion

Needing a win to be assured of the title, Khalsa had looked to be on course when Dharminder Hundal put them 2-1 up with 15 minutes remaining.

However, the late goal for the hosts, combined with Lichfield’s 3-2 win at Rugby & East Warwick conspired to deny them the solitary promotion spot.

Khalsa had started brightly and Guri Ghattuara, Jasminder Singh and Micky Hayer were all denied by the Telford goalkeeper or the woodwork.

With ten minutes of the first half remaining, Telford took an unlikely lead via a deflected short corner which looped past Khalsa keeper Chris Hurst.

Again Khalsa pressed and Dharminder was unfortunate not to equalise when Sean Robinson’s cross deflected off his stick and just wide of the post.

Manager Gurdial Rhandhawa rallied his troops at the interval and within ten minutes of the restart Khalsa were level.

Davinder Bhatt flicked the ball through to Amrit Atwal who went round the keeper and pushed the ball into the open goal.

Telford were now camped in their own half and seemed determined to hold out for a draw.

However, Khalsa’s attacking intent was rewarded when Dharminder scored from the top of the circle to put his side within touching distance of the title.

Having reverted to a defensive mindset, Telford found it hard to change their gameplan and Khalsa seemed sure to see out the remainder of the game without any alarm.

But, with just two minutes remaining, Telford were awarded a dubious penalty corner which they converted to bring it back to 2-2.

With little time to respond, Khalsa went back on the attack, but their efforts proved in vain as they missed out on top spot despite losing just one game all season.

To compound a bad day for the club, Khalsa’s 2nds were relegated from Midlands One on goal difference despite a final-day win over Warwick University.