Dateline 9^th June 2018

 FT NRFC 2 Suphanburi 2

Attendance; 4652

A mid table battle this weekend as the Swatcats welcomed Suphanburi. 

The Swatcats started with debutees Assumpcao and Jakkit up front.

In a largely uninspiring first half, neither side produced many clear cut chances although Assumpcao had a 25 yard screamer tipped over by the Suphan keeper in the 17^th minute and later in the 27^th minute, he produced a brilliant half volley on the turn that was similarly tipped over the bar.

A decent but not inspiring first half performance from the hosts but with the visitors offering minimal threat, things were looking quite promising with the Swatcats having slightly the better of the play.

In the second half Suphan began to exert a degree of dominance as the Swatcats faltered and as the game became more open, a goal from either side looked likely. The Dragons went close with an angled shot in the 64^th minute and Cunningham brought off a spectacular save minutes later to keep the scores level but from the resulting corner Dos Santos headed in to give the visitors the lead.

In response, the Swatcats had a close range header scrambled clear in the 82^nd minute and minutes later, a shot on target was blocked on the line and the resulting loose ball was unbelievably knocked over the bar from 1 yard out by substitute Phaitoon.

In a frenetic last few minutes, the home team equalized in the 92^nd minute when Kittipat Wongsombat scrambled the ball over the line. Then, before the home supporters could catch their breath, Suphan broke forward and thanks to some school boy defensive work from Cunningham, they regained the lead when Romulo pounced.

With home fans streaming out, the Swatcats equalized again with literally the last kick of the match when a May T shot was deflected past the keeper.

Another disappointing response from the Swatcats but a useful point gained. The additions to the squad, (although it is harsh to judge the changes after one game), do not seem to have changed the way we play - although Jakkit and Assumpcao did look lively.

If I was asked to sum up the current Swatcat side, I would have to comment that they are a very ordinary side who are poorly coached. The defence was a complete shambles at times last night - whose fault is it? - we have a Thai National team player in Chalermpong and a useful Japanese import in Lee in the centre of the defence but they don’t seem to know what they are doing - time to show MIlos Joksic the door I’m afraid - and quickly too before Tier 2 becomes a reality.

Match Day 18 Stats