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