Dateline 20^th September – Match day 28.

 FT NRFC 1 Navy 1

The game kicked off in a near empty stadium with Navy moving the ball around efficiently. The hosts conversely continued to give the ball away resulting in dangerous raids forward from the visitors.

 In early warning signs, Navy went close with a header in the 11^th minute and in the 19^th minute a Weera save kept out a low drive. At the other end Dominic Adiyiah and Pina went close but with Navy becoming more dominant they again drew a fine save from Weera in the 20^th minute.

In the 23^rd minute after a mistimed clearance from Igbonefo, Rodrigo pounced to put Navy ahead. Later he almost made it 2-0 with a low angled drive that Weera again did well to keep out. The Swatcats continued to huff and puff with little end product as a rather sterile first half drew to a close.

The second half began with the hosts looking more determined and in the 49^th minute Adiyiah swept the ball into the net but was adjudged to have handled the ball before the strike. With Navy looking rattled, Chanatphon leveled with a well struck free kick in the 57^th minute. Minutes later Rangel went close with a header as the Swatcats pressed.

In the 63^rd minute Adiyiah put a fine header on target but the keeper pushed the ball onto the upright and as the hosts began to dominate, a winner looked likely. Minutes later Akekanat hit a low drive inches wide of the post as the hosts swarmed forward and then Adiyiah narrowly failed to connect with an excellent Rangel cross.

In the 89^th minute, in a final push for the winner, Akekanat headed just wide from a well flighted corner kick and as the referee blew the final whistle, the Swatcats could consider themselves slightly unlucky not to have found a winner.

Another below par performance from the Swatcats and yet another chance to pull away from the bottom 3 spurned. The first half performance can only be described as inept. An inability to string together passes and a continued trait of giving the ball away in midfield meant that a pretty mediocre Navy outfit was made to look good.

The second half performance was better and chances were created but still the side looked what it is, a second rate side fighting for survival.

Victor Igbonefo worries me, he continues to make mistakes and his marking in the box is slack. I think it is time for a rethink regarding the back four formation.

I cannot help thinking that this squad of players should be performing better than a lowly 14^th place. Questions must be asked about whether Milos Jokic is getting the best out of his players. I have always rated him but the league position does not lie - I think that an end of season change of coach may be the way forward.

Finally the crowd, a lowly 2254 attended tonight’s match. This does not bode well for the long term future of the club. Sure the performances have not been great but a paltry 2254 attendance from the kingdom’s second largest city is a disgrace.

Match Day 28  Stats