Dateline 18^th June 2017 – Match day 18.

FT Police Tero 3  NRFC 1

The second leg of the 2017 season kicks off this weekend with the Fire Dragons welcoming the Swatcats from Korat for this mid-table clash.

Former Swatcat keeper Kampon was in goal for Tero and the Swatcats started with new signing Rangel up front. The Swatcats started brightly with an interchange between Rangel and Adiyiah ending with a low shot on target from the Ghanaian.

In the 11^th minute Weerayut Kayem volleyed in after a fine move to give Tero the lead but with the visitors passing the ball around confidently one sensed that they could strike back and in the 16^th minute Pina went close with a 22 yard drive. Minutes later Chanatphol’s long range shot went narrowly over the bar.

In the 29^th minute a superb move terminated with a snap shot from 6 yards by Adiyiah that was well saved by the Tero keeper and although the visitors were having a lot of possession, Tero looked dangerous on the break.

The Swatcats equalized (deservedly so) in the 37^th minute when debutant Paulo Rangel  deflected a shot in with a clever back heel flick but almost immediately Tero broke forward and N’Dri lobbed in smartly to regain the lead.

The second half began with Igbonefo heading just over from a Pina free kick, Tero countered with a low drive going inches wide. The Swatcats were now pressing for an equalizer as Tero seemed to tire and in the 64^th minute the Swatcats were awarded a penalty for a trip in the box but Pina’s kick was well saved by keeper Kampon.

The visitors continued to press but their chances of a point were dented when Chalermpong was shown a red card for a second bookable offence - an exceedingly harsh decision in my opinion!!

N’Dri went close with a header in the 77^th minute in a rare second half chance for the hosts as the Swatcat’s second half dominance failed to yield the vital equalizer. In the 91^st minute Tero were awarded a penalty for a push. The penalty was converted by N’Dri to give Tero an undeserved 3-1 lead.

Another decent performance (sorry, I sound like a broken record!!) and the performance probably merited a point. The Swatcats surely cannot go down if they continue to perform like this but they have to pick up points against lesser teams if they are to survive. Rangel looks like a useful acquisition and could form a formidable force up front with Adiyiah. Defensively the team looks sound and midfield is passing the ball around well - quite honestly, I am at a loss to work out why our performances are not yielding more points.

Match day 18 Stats