Dateline 28^th May 2017 – Match day 17.

 FT Bangkok Glass 1 NRFC 0

The Swatcats took on the Glass Rabbits in this end of Leg 1 fixture, hoping to ease themselves further clear of the relegation zone.

Glass started brightly with some fine passing movements but the visitors eased themselves into the game and in the 14^th minute Akekanat fired in a shot after a superb solo run. With the home team playing the more accomplished football, the Swatcat defence was coping well as the home team pressed.

  With the Swatcats looking useful on the break Naruphol went close with a drive from 20 yards and on 31 minutes Adiyiah nearly caught out the keeper with a snap shot. Glass countered with a shot from Chaowat drifting wide on 37 minutes and a drive from Campos that was well saved by the visitor’s keeper.

Honours even at half time, with the visitors giving a good account of themselves. Glass probably just edged the half but the Swatcats did have their chances.

The second half opened with Adiyiah firing over with the goal at his mercy after a defensive error - a guilt edged chance squandered!! Minutes later Adiyiah was again guilty of a glaring miss when his shot scuffed the post. The visitors were now on top but Bangkok Glass still looked dangerous when probing forward and a couple of long range chances were created.

The visitors began to defend too deep on the hour mark, inviting the home team to attack in waves and one wondered if the inevitable home goal would come. Surachat went close in the 69^th minute then Campos shot wide but the visitor’s defence continued to hold firm.

In what was now becoming almost constant pressure, the Swatcats were clinging to their valuable point with great tenacity but in the 81st minute Bangkok Glass went ahead when Chatree fired in from 6 yards.

Adido’s two second half misses cost us the match and I know I am sounding like a stuck record but yet another decent performance against class opposition - the defence looked sound and build up in midfield was crisp and constructive but we continue to struggle with the all important aspect of football - scoring goals. I’m asking again - a big target man in the transfer window please!!

Match Day 17 Stats

Dateline 20^th May 2017 – Match day 16.

 FT NRFC 0 Chang Rai 1

An early kick off in this encounter and despite grandstand tickets being reduced from 150bt to 80bt, the match only managed to attract 6571 spectators. One wonders however if this reduction in price was well publicised - I for one did not know about it!!

As the match progressed the Swatcats certainly matched the endeavour of the visitors but Chang Rai looked more crisp and precise when going forward and certainly more confident with their passing.

They broke quickly and with pace and in the 6^th minute Felipe Azevedo went close from 5 yards - an early wake up call for the hosts. The Swatcats countered with a header from Akekanat that went just wide.

Dominic Adiyiah was, as usual, the host’s main threat and he drew a fine save from the keeper with an angled drive but despite all the huff and puff shown by the hosts they looked unlikely to break though, with a couple of weak attempts their only reward.

Chang Rai continued to look dangerous and in the 26^th minute Suriya headed over and as the first half drew to a close, a superb 25 yard effort from Raphael thundered against the bar. One wondered at half time “how long before Chang Rai open the scoring?”

The second half opened with Chang Rai immediately on the offensive and Saranon brought off an excellent save from a close range header - one wondered however why an attacking player was left unmarked in the 6 yard area.

Korat’s response was a long range effort from Chanatphon and a real chance from close range by Velkoski but again despite great effort, there was very little real penetration.

In the 56^th minute, Felipe stuck an angled shot that was deflected rather fortuitously onto the post as Chang Rai strived to open their account. Adiyiah meanwhile shot narrowly wide in an otherwise lack lustre second half performance from the Swatcats.

In the 79th minute the ultimate and decisive demise of the hosts when Chang Rai went ahead with a crisp, close range finish from Felipe - a disappointing end for the hosts but a deserved reward for Chang Rai’s efforts. They could have gone two up with a shot that was well saved by Saranon minutes later and at the other end a Dominic Adityiah cross caused panic in the Chang Rai defence as Korat looked for an unlikely equalizer.

Tonight the Swatcats were beaten by a more polished and superior side. Another decent performance and the team’s effort cannot be faulted but I reiterate - we are just ordinary and really if we are to improve we need a good old “kick up the arse” and someone who can score goals. I cannot understand why we have not filled our foreign player quota - surely a big target man must be on our radar.

 Only 2 wins at home is worrying and if a team cannot pull in the points at home, the team is only going in one direction!! Equally worrying is the obvious disenchantment of the fans that appear to be shunning the club - to be frank, with disappointing home performances, who can blame them!!

Match Day 16 Stats

Dateline 17^th May 2017 – Match day 15.

Ubon UMT United 1 FT NRFC 3

Two sides were battling for Isaan “bragging rights” in tonight’s encounter in Ubon. The visitors shocked the home side in the 5^th minute when Chakrit volleyed home after a Pina free kick was parried by the home keeper.

Ubon struck back quickly when they equalized on 10 minutes when an unmarked Nebihi slotted home from 10 yards. A minute later Chakrit countered with a fine drive which was well saved.

After this explosive start, the match settled with both sides probing with defences looking vulnerable. Adiyiah - as usual was The Swatcat’s main threat going forward - ably supported by Chakrit.

Velkoski drew a good save from the keeper with a 20 yard drive on 23 minutes as the Swatcats swarmed forward in what was looking like a very open game. Pina then stuck a 35 yard free kick which was again parried by the keeper but the ball was scrambled clear.

On 36 minutes, a low corner was prodded home by Velkoski to give the visitors a deserved first half lead. A decent first half by the Swatcats. They looked very fluid going forward but can the defence hold on and prevent an equalizer??

The second half kicked off with Thaiwolf hoping that the Swatcats do not do the usual and sit back inviting the opposition to attack. Ubon went straight into attacking mode with Nebihi drawing a fine save from the visitor’s keeper then a header from a free kick went narrowly wide.

In what was already looking like a rearguard action, an equalizer was looking likely with the defence sitting too deep.

What do I know? The Swatcats broke forward with pace and Adiyiah fired in from 16 yards - 3-1. Chakrit nearly made it 4-1 with a snap shot in the 64^th minute as Ubon’s heads began to drop.

On 70 minutes Pina sent a free kick inches over in a rare foray forward as Ubon pressed for a second goal.

With the defence soaking up tepid pressure from the home side, the Swatcats were cruising towards a deserved victory when Kantapol was sent off for a second yellow in the 83^rd minute. From the resulting free kick the home side struck the bar with an 8 yard snap shot. Minutes later Nebihi headed over as the Swatcats soaked up some late pressure.

On 91 minutes Velkoski spurned a golden opportunity when he broke clear. He chose to pass rather than take a shot and the ball was cleared. This could have easily been a 5-1 victory

A most satisfying performance and a great 3 points tonight. I have to ask “Why can’t they do this every week?” Ubon are a useful side and this was no fluke. We looked likely to score goals tonight from the start and with the defence performing ably this was a complete team performance.

Good news to report at last – now for Chang Rai !!

Match Day 15 Stats

Dateline 14^th May 2017 – Match day 14.

 FT NRFC 0 Port FC 0

Port FC were the guests at the 80^th Anniversary Stadium this weekend. With the pitch conditions not conducive to a pretty short passing game, my early thought was “who will better adapt to the conditions tonight?”

On a heavy pitch and before a crowd of 5835 the hosts opened brightly with Chakrit incorrectly ruled off side with the goal at his mercy on 6 minutes, seconds later Akekanat shot wildly over from 12 yards. There then followed a series of crosses and a period of pressure but the Swatcats were unable to convert.

Port were looking pretty tame on their forays forward and 20 minutes in, the hosts were well on top.

In the 26^th minute after a frenetic melee in the Port 6 yard box, the ball was cleared then Velkoski drew a smart save from the keeper with an angled drive. From the resulting corner Akekanat headed narrowly wide.

On 35 minutes Chanatphon shot just wide from 20 yards then Adiyiah drove into the keeper’s midriff. In now almost constant pressure Adiyiah again went close then Velkoski was just wide from 12 yards.

A decent first half showing from the Swatcats but nothing to show for all their pressure - a cliché but it was all one way traffic - one hopes the team will not be punished later!!

The second half began with Pakorn going close for Port and minutes later a good chance was spurned as Tana Chanabut shot over - Port seemed to have woken up!!

In the 55^th minute an excellent through ball put Akekanat clear but the keeper parried the shot and the ball was cleared.

Port were getting forward more and gaining confidence but still unable to create a clear chance but with Josimar always looking likely to cause problems for the host’s defence. In the 73^rd minute Port went close when a near post header was scrambled away.

In the 79^th minute Velkoski misdirected a header following a decent cross from Akekanat as the Swatcats pressed for a late winner. Port countered with a late break which put the home keeper under pressure,

The team gave it a good go this evening creating many chances in the first half however the inability to convert pressure into goals continues to be a problem. Second half they allowed a weak Port team to get back into the game - a game that should have been put beyond Port in the first half.

The Swatcats will not go down based on this performance but how long will the long suffering fans have to put up with these disappointing results.

Match Day 14 Stats

Dateline 6^th May 2017 – Match day 13.

 FT NRFC 1 Thai Honda Latkrabang 0

Mazda Swatcats revved up to outpace the Bangkok based Thai Honda in this potential relegation battle.  The attendance was 4227.

The hosts opened brightly, creating their first chance in the first minute when Kirati Keawsombat drew a fine save from the keeper after good work from Adiyiah.

In the 10^th minute Jesus shot over from 18 yards after a fine break forward - an early warning for the hosts!! The Swatcats immediately countered when Athibordee curled an angled shot just wide of the post.

In the 19^th minute the Swatcats broke the deadlock when Athibordee stroked home from 12 yards after a fine flowing movement and then in the 29^th minute a brilliant charge forward from Chakrit produced a drive which drifted just over the bar.

In the 34^th minute a further warning for the hosts as an unmarked Jesus headed just wide then Adiyiah caused panic in the opponent’s defence with a mazy run into the box ending with a Chakrit effort being blocked.

Although the hosts were “bossing” the match during the first half, Thai Honda broke forward effectively - producing real chances in the 16^th and 26^th minutes - and certainly stretched the Swatcat’s defence, which looked fragile, at times. A half in which both sides created chances - maybe due to two equally weak defences.

The second half began with the hosts again on the front foot with Kirati Keawsombat charging forward only to be unceremoniously brought down just outside the box preventing a clear scoring chance. Unfortunately Kirati’s fall seemed to have seriously damaged his arm and he was stretchered off in great pain - sportingly many Thai Honda players helped to remove the gurney from the pitch.

The resulting free kick from Pinawas well saved.

In the 57^th minute, Honda scored a headed goal that was wrongly, in my opinion, given as offside and with advertising boards being scattered by the maelstrom and thunder claps beckoning, the teams were taken off the field of play after an early monsoon shower hit the 80^th Anniversary Stadium. Fans flocked to gain cover in the main stand but a sudden wind change gave everyone present in the stand a thorough soaking!!

The game recommenced after 20 minutes and as the game descended into farce like conditions on the waterlogged pitch, the Swatcats were able to hold on to their slender lead despite Thai Honda going close in the 65^th minute and again in the 77^th minute. The Swatcats themselves may have increased their lead with a Pina drive.

An invaluable 3 points for sure but let’s not get carried away. Thai Honda, despite the fact that they created many chances are not a strong side. In fact they could make a case for deserving a point. The Swatcat’s defence looked very vulnerable at times and although they created many chances they still lack the “cutting edge” up front.

We now sit in a comfortable 12^th place in the league - we have taken points off all six teams below us and we are 8 points above the drop zone. Although there are some grounds for optimism, I still think that we will continue to struggle against top ten teams - a big striker please - and soon!!

Match Day 13 stats

Maelstrom halts Tier 1 match in Korat.

The Tier 1 match between Nakhon Ratchasima FC and Thai Honda FC was briefly halted after a monsoon like shower hit the 80th Anniversary Stadium

Dateline 3^rd May 2017 – Match day 12.

 FT Navy FC 0 NRFC 0

An important match for both clubs in this midweek clash in Sattahip. Ex Swatcat favourite Bjorn Lindemann is now a Navy player - will he help to put the Swatcats to the sword – or should I say to the cutlass?

After a low key start in which neither side mustered a real chance, the match meandered towards half time with nothing of substance to report. The only point of interest was a penalty claim by the visitors - it looked a clear trip on Chanatphon as he broke into the box but it was deemed to have been a dive and he was booked.

By half time, Navy had managed a single, weak shot and a speculative header - the visitors managed one effort on target!!

The second half commenced with the hope that either side would produce some sort of entertainment for the watching fans. Unfortunately the match continued on its aimless path. The match came to life in the 55^th minute when a well struck Navy free kick struck the post - a unique moment of class in the match thus far.

In the 78^th minute, with the visitors yet to register a single second half shot on goal, a second Navy free kick went narrowly over the bar.

 In a final Swatcat flourish, Naruphol was inches wide with an angled shot and minutes later he again managed a decent shot on target that was saved by the keeper.

A valuable point but another frustrating evening for Swatcat fans. This match clearly displayed why both of these sides will struggle as the season progresses. In an encounter painful to watch, neither side attacked with any real intent. The Swatcat’s fighting spirit exhibited against Bangkok United during the last match, was absent. I see very little in the current squad that gets my pulse racing - Dominic Adiyiah apart - the team is just…ordinary. Results are confirming this and so will their league position at the end of the season.

Match Day 12 stats