Dateline 31st March 2018

 FT   Chainat Hornbills 1 NRFC 2

Attendance; 2517

The Swatcats travelled to Chainat hoping to avoid their third successive defeat. The visitors started without injured keeper Cunningham and Dominic Adiyiah was replaced by Yayar Kunath.

In the opening exchanges, the Swatcats had the majority of possession and Yayar had a great early chance but he headed over from close range. In the 21^st minute a Swatcat counter attack allowed Decha to break through the middle and drive home to give the visitors an early lead. The visitors then defended well for the rest of the half to preserve their lead and went in at half time one up.

The Swatcats were rocked when, within seconds of the start of the second half, Bireme nodded in to equalize the scores. In the 54^th minute a quickly taken free kick put Yayar clear with only the keeper to beat but the keeper managed to smother the ball and it was cleared.

The game progressed with neither side creating real chances although Chanatphon went close with a drive on 72 minutes.

In what was becoming a bit of a stalemate in which neither team seemed to want the three points on offer, the ball was ping ponged around to no great effect.

Just as it seemed that a draw would be the final result, late drama when Rangel was fouled on the edge of the box in the 92^nd minute. Pina slotted home the resulting free kick.

 Minutes later in the 94^th minute, Lee kicked out at a defender in the box and after a VAR consultation no penalty was awarded but Lee was dismissed. Apparently the ref had blown for a free kick against Chainat moments before the Lee kick, hence no penalty.

Five wins from eight games is fantastic - that’s already half of our victories last season - let’s all enjoy it while it lasts.

There is a pattern emerging. The Swatcats press well and they fight for every ball in midfield. Their determination and fighting spirit is going to overcome many technically superior sides this season. Yayar Kunath impressed me tonight. I am wondering whether a Yayar/Adiyiah partnership may cause defences more problems than Adiyiah partnering with a rather static Rangel.

Match Day 8 Stats.