Dateline 18^th November – Match day 34.

 FT NRFC 1 Sukhothai 1

The 2017 season drew to an end this weekend as the Swatcats sought their third home win in a row.

The match kicked off in front of 2940 fans. In early drama, Ekkachai Rittipan ran onto a through ball from Rangel but he rolled the ball just wide. At the other end the Firebats went close with a header and with the skillful Baggio a constant thorn in the side of the hosts, the visitors looked a threat.

A sortie down the right by Baggio and a superb cross was met by a half volley that was fortuitously blocked by a grateful defender. Minutes later Baggio went close with an angled drive.

With the Swatcats now on the back foot, a Sukhothai goal looked imminent but the hosts weathered the storm and managed to escape the half on level terms.

The second half began with a shock for the hosts when a seemingly harmless free kick from 30 yards drifted into the net - what on earth keeper Weera was doing was beyond belief!! Minutes later, a now confident Sukhothai were denied a certain second goal by an acrobatic clearance from Igbonefo.

This seemed to wake up the slumbering hosts and they now attacked with more fervour. With men being pushed forward, a series of half chances were created with an Ekkachai Rittipan header being the highlight of this renewed burst of energy.

In the 79^th minute, Kirati Kaewsombat was introduced and with his first touch he headed in from a corner to equalize the scores. Minutes later Rangel had a great chance to put the Swatcats ahead but his shot was well saved. In this late surge Kirati Kaewsombat was again involved when he launched himself at a looping cross but his brave header went wide. Unfortunately during his resultant fall he injured his collarbone and was led hesitantly to the waiting ambulance - an injured hero indeed!

A disappointing result and arguably Sukhothai were the better side. The Swatcat team without Dominic Adiyiah looked aimless and uninspiring although Adiyiah replacement Ekkachai Rittipan impressed. Paulo Rangel’s mind was obviously elsewhere and for me his recent performances do not warrant a new contract. Adiyiah’s absence worries me - he was not even on the bench - I have a gut feeling all is not well.

I’m not sure about goalkeeper Weera’s future either. His positional sense seems poor and he is often caught out of the correct position.

Yet again a team came to the 80^th Anniversary Stadium and gave the hosts a lesson in effective passing and maintenance of possession. How this situation can be rectified is in the hand of the coach - I’m not optimistic that there will be drastic improvements!!

Match Day 34 Stats