Dateline 28th March 2018

 FT NRFC 0 Muang Thong United 1

Attendance; 17 319.

The Swatcats entertained the faltering Kirins in this mid week encounter. The visitors had the better of the early exchanges with Heberty drawing a world class save from Cunningham with a looping drive in the 17^th minute. The Swatcats countered with an Ekkachai header that almost eluded a floundering keeper and on the cusp of half time, excellent work from Adiyiah led to a cross shot going inches wide of the far post.

As the goalless the first half concluded, the hosts matched the obvious class of the Muang Thong outfit with their usual endeavour and determination.

In a blow for the Swatcats, keeper Cunningham succumbed to a first half injury and was replaced by Todsaporn Srireung at half time. Within seconds the keeper failed to hold a swerving Heberty free kick and the ball sailed into the back of the net to give the Kirins the lead.

Ekkachai came close to equalizing on 68 minutes when his cross beat the keeper and almost crept under the bar but as the visitors pressed and despite some late pressure, the hosts were unable to score the equalizer.

A decent performance but beaten by an obviously superior side. The defence is certainly sturdier and better organized this season and the general team effort cannot be faulted. The Cunningham injury was unfortunate and I am 100 % sure that he would have saved Heberty’s free kick. A slightly unlucky defeat I feel and the team competed well against a very talented Muang Thong team.

Well done boys, and look at that attendance figure !!!

Match Day 7 Stats.

Dateline 18th March 2018

 FT   Ratchaburi 3 NRFC 0

Attendance; 3059

The Swatcats entered the Dragon’s den hoping to increase their already impressive tally of points.

In an early setback for the Swatcats, Ratchaburi opened the scoring in the 4^th minute with a fine drive from Chitiphon and minutes later the Dragons doubled their lead when Rosimar pounced on a fumbled cross by keeper Cunningham to prod the ball home.

The misery continued when a deflected angled shot from Rosimar crept over the line in the 25^th minute. A confident Ratchaburi continued to dominate the half, with the visitors unable to maintain possession and constantly on the back foot.

As the first half concluded, the Swatcats were being completely outplayed and lucky to be only three down.

Things could not get much worse in the second half - or could they? The Swatcats sole aim was to “win the second half” but a possible point seemed out of the question.

Chanatphon was unlucky when his nicely flighted free kick hit the bar in the 50^th minute but this effort apart, the Swatcats again offered little and with the Dragons taking their foot off the gas the game meandered to its conclusion with a fine win for the hosts.

After a disastrous start, the Swatcats failed to achieve any real momentum and were comprehensively beaten by Ratchaburi. Sometimes you just have to put your hands up and say “we were beaten by a better side”!!

This was a typical season 2017 performance, the midfield seemed to surrender and there was precious little up front. Hopefully this performance is just a blip and 4 wins and 2 defeats going into the international break is not a bad start to the season.

Match Day 6 Stats

Dateline 11^rd March 2018

 FT   NRFC 2 Sukhothai 1

Attendance; 15 664

The in form (4 wins out of 4) Firebats were the guests this weekend. The Firebats were the much more composed side in the first half action with quick passing movements and the razor sharp Baggio a constant threat. The Swatcats countered with determination and stout defensive work and were rewarded in the 21stminute with a beautifully crafted goal from Rangel. A pin point cross from Decha was met with a bullet header from the Brazilian striker to put the hosts one up.

After a period of prolonged pressure, Sukhothai bounced back in the 33^rd minute with a fine looping equalizer from Njiva and in a half of few real chances from either side, honours were about even at half time with Sukhothai looking the likely victors.

In a tense second half, with both sides probing and looking for a winner, the Swatcats finally broke the deadlock with a 77^th minute winner when Adiyiah smashed in from 7 yards.

Another welcome and unexpected victory against, it has to be said, a superior side. No cartwheels of delight from me yet but it is looking good for the Swatcats. The players are playing like a real team with each member putting in 100 %. I am still not sure what is different from last year but what I am sure of is that with their current determination and endeavour, they will be hard to beat.

The atmosphere last night was electric with again the highest attendance by far in the weekend’s games - what a massive club this could be!!

Match Day 5 Stats

Dateline 3^rd March 2018

 FT   Police Tero 0 NRFC 1

Attendance; 1843

The Swatcats took on Bangkok based Police Tero this weekend searching for their first away points of the season. In the opening 20 minutes, the Swatcats looked the more composed side as they swept forward looking for the opening goal.

The match burst into life in the 28^th minute when Rangel spurned a guilt edged chance but the ball fell to Adiyiah who swept his shot against the cross bar. With the visitors looking increasingly dangerous, the first half drew to a close with the Swatcats definitely on top.

The second half commenced with Tero beginning to gain the upper hand but Adiyiah was unlucky when his close range header was cleared off the line. In the 75^th minute Samuel Cunningham got away with a deliberate kick on a Tero forward - had the referee had a clear view it could have been a red card and a penalty.

In the 78^th minute, the Swatcats broke forward and Ekkachai ran onto a Rangel flick and lobbed the ball into the net to give the visitors the lead.

An excellent fighting performance from the Swatcats and a great 3 points. There is something different about the team this season but I cannot put my finger on the reason for the improvement. Tonight they pressed very effectively and recent signing Sarawut Masuk seems to be providing a link between the midfield and attack. The team could never be accused of not giving 100 % and motivation has always seemed sound - I just think that every player is now offering 10% more determination and this is making the team hard to beat.

Match Day 4 Stats