Dateline 9^th July 2016

 Bangkok Glass 2 NRFC 1

The Swatcats were the guests at the Leo Stadium tonight, hoping to sneak a point to ease their still lingering relegation fears.

Both sides started brightly with the Glass Rabbits getting the first shot on target in the 5^th minute, they then went close again with an effort well defended. The Swatcats continued to battle gamely with Tagbajumi looking dangerous.

A 20 yard drive from an unmarked Bangkok Glass attacker struck the bar in the 15^th minute then an angled drive was struck wide as the home team pushed forward. The men in green certainly looked the more polished side in the opening 25 minutes.

With pressure building a long range shot went wide as the hosts strived to open the scoring. The men from Korat were holding on but a home goal seemed inevitable as the half progressed.

In a rare break Lindemann shot wide after good work from Tagbajumi on the flank.

A well struck 25 yard free kick gave the hosts the lead in the 37^th minute – a deserved lead in my opinion with the hosts claiming 59% of possession thus far. The Swatcats struck back with a well worked move ending with a Lindemann drive being blocked. From the resulting corner Lindemann struck the bar from 20 yards and seconds later the German blasted in from 16 yards to draw the visitors level.

The second half started with a Lindemann break ending with his shot being well saved as the Swatcats tried to gain a foothold in the game. Bangkok Glass continued to look dangerous up front and they went close from 5 yards in the 54^th minute, Nagano then brilliantly blocked a shot in the 71^st minute as the hosts again pressed forward.

Noah Chivuta was introduced in the 74^th minute with the Swatcats attempting to hang on to their hard earned point. In the 84^th minute Swatcat’s hearts were broken when a close range header gave the hosts the lead.

In a late rally by NRFC, a Bangkok Glass defender hits his own bar with a panic clearance and a flurry of chances by the visitors threatened the host’s lead.

Whilst under pressure for large portions of the game, the Swatcats played the ball around effectively at times and will certainly cause problems for lesser teams than Bangkok Glass. I still remain optimistic for the rest of the season. No Noah Chivuta start again tonight and it seems that he is slipping out of contention for a regular berth in the side. It is obvious in my mind that Milos Joksic has turned this team around. Although on paper results do not seem to be too impressive, the performances are most definitely better. The team is breaking forward far more effectively and everyone in the team is closing down opponents impressively in all areas of the field.