Dateline 11^th March 2017 – Match day 6.

 FT Muang Thong United 2 NRFC 0

The Swatcats took on the mighty Kirins at the SCG Stadium with pundits remarking that due to the Swatcat’s sky blue and white change strip, the spectacle looked remarkably like a Manchester derby!!

The opening 20 minutes saw both sides sparring with no clear chances created but the visitors did seem to be showing more forward intent than against Buriram.

In the 20th minute Muang Thong broke the deadlock when Mongkol Tossakai nodded in after some ping pong heading following a corner. The Swatcats countered with a shot testing Keeper Kawin and a brief period of pressure.

The half – a half of few chances, concluded with the Swatcats still in the game following a pretty decent first half performance.

After the break, in the 48^th minute, Velkoski came close to equalizing with a well directed header going just over the bar but minutes later, Teerasil Dangda effectively sealed the victory with an acrobatic tap in - this was his 100^th TPL goal – a fine achievement.

A rare substitution appearance for Prompong in the 65^th minute will, I know, please some Swatcat fan diehards but he rarely had opportunities to influence the game in a meaningful way.

The game meandered to a close with neither side able to trouble each other’s keepers to give the Kirins a well deserved 3 points.

A better performance than against Buriram with the team looking better organized in defence and showing more ambition going forward.

So 6 games in and heading for the International break, the Swatcats find themselves languishing just above the relegation spots. The position may not, in fact, be as bad as it seems. Of our six games played four have been away fixtures - with two of those away games against top 4 opposition.

Our form however has been mediocre thus far and one can only hope that it is because it is taking time for the new players to settle in.

Early days I know but I feel that we may be in for a tough season. I cannot see too many teams weaker than the Swatcats in a strengthening Top Tier hierarchy.