Dateline 9^th March 2016

 Chainat Hornbills 3 NRFC 1

Unfortunately, I am unable to report on the first 15 minutes of the match due to the fact that “Junta TV” was being televised – when are the football authorities going to sort out this problem – apparently Chainat scored a goal whilst I was being forced to watch some irrelevant bollocks that only the most hardened of Thai citizens care a toss about – rant over!!!

Back to the match; Chainat made numerous raids forward and were unlucky not to be two up after some slack defending. The home team seemed quite tidy in midfield as The Swatcats strived to stay in the match. Possession wise, it was very one sided with the visitors offering little up front, two Nagano headers being the only threat to the home goalkeeper. In the 40^th minute, some desperate defending again foiled a Chainat raid forward as the Swatcats were forced onto the back foot

In the first 45 minutes The Hornbills looked a far more accomplished side with NRFC being fortunate to be only one goal down.

The second half began with an impressive move by the visitors with the ball skimming dangerously across The Hornbills 6 yard box. minutes later a Lindemann drive was inches wide.

Chainat missed a golden chance to go 2 up in the 50th minute and a minute later the Swatcats defence was breached for a second time to put Chainat two up. Adiyeah was introduced in the 56^th minute as the men from Korat converted to two up front. Chainat again began to dominate and were unlucky not to go three up in the 68^th minute.

Chivuta was inches over from a 22 yard free kick and he slotted home a 77^th minute penalty to ensure an exciting climax to the game and offer the hope of an unlikely first point of the season for the visitors. Tagbajumi was inches wide with a slick 12 yard drive as NRFC fought for the equalizer.

Chainat then added a third in the closing seconds to wrap up a deserved 3 points.

A more encouraging second half performance from NRFC but still a deserved victory for the Hornbills. If as, expected, Chainat are a standard “mid to lower” table side, The Swatcats, based on this performance, will certainly struggle to fight for a top ten finish – let’s hope for more polished performances in the coming games.