Dateline 24^th April NRFC 0 Chonburi Sharks 0

NRFC hosted the Sharks from Chonburi, In front of a crowd of some 13 000 plus. The home fans hoping that the Swatcats could "squish the fish".

In a rather uninspiring opening 20 minutes, neither side was able to muster a real chance with a Lindemann drive and a further 20 yard shot from Athibordee being the only moments of tepid excitement.

Noah Chivuta nearly broke the deadlock on 21 minutes with a fierce shot but in truth there was precious little service provided for a lively Tagbajumi. At the other end Chonburi failed to produce much themselves up front.

 In the 46^th minute Tagbajumi fired in a fine cross shot which was superbly pushed past the post by the keeper – a rare touch of class in the match so far.

With the hosts having slightly more possession, no real pattern of play materialized from either side as the first half drew to a close.

In the second half The Swatcats attacked brightly, searching for a breakthrough and in the 54^th minute Noah Chivuta was replaced by Adeyeah. A 59^th minute Lindemann shot stung the keeper’s hands as the home side again dominated possession.

 Assumpsao fired in a curling shot in a rare foray forward by the Sharks and Lindemann shot just wide after some smart work from Adeyeah as both sides searched for a winner. As the Swatcats pressed with Adeyeah adding a new dimension up front, a near post shot went close and then at the death, The Sharks nearly poached all 3 points with a stinging shot going narrowly wide in the 93^rd minute.

Chances considered, this was not a bad performance. The Swatcats will have to somehow up their game if they are to battle for a top 10 finish.  Whilst a point against one of the better teams in the TPL is not a disaster, there is certainly no need to panic yet of course.

In reality there are 5 or 6 teams who are probably going to finish below them, but it will be a disappointment after last year's 8th place for the club to be mixing it at the wrong end of the table. I am not sure where the goals are going to come from. Worse for me is the fear that after 2 home defeats, a rather squeaky win and a goalless draw, the fans will shun the team....and I'm afraid that a Swatcat team without the advantage of the usual massive home support will really be up against it.