Dateline 7^th July 2018

 FT NRFC 2 Ratchaburi 1

Attendance; 2559

The Swatcats welcomed the Ratchaburi Dragons this weekend with skipper Chalermpong making his 100th appearance for the club.

The match kicked off in a near empty stadium - I have never seen it so bereft of fans.

Ratchaburi looked quite lively in early exchanges and with the home team unable to maintain possession, an early Dragon goal seemed likely. The Swatcats fought back however and a series of corners eased the pressure. They then created a couple of half chances as they grew into the game and Marinkovic went close with a long range shot.

In the 43^rd minute, a clever lob from Pralong Sawandee bounced tantalizingly off the crossbar with all defenders looking on in amazement. This was the only real chance in an otherwise uneventful 45 minutes of football.

With the second half  only minutes old, one of the most bizarre own goals I have ever seen was scored by Philip Roller as he sliced the ball in from 16 yards to give the men in orange the lead. Ratchaburi produced a couple of half hearted shots on goal but the Swatcats seemed a little more composed in the second half and began to look dangerous on the break.

The home team now began to dominate proceedings as the Dragons faded and a couple of guilt edged chances were wasted by Assumpcao and Shahrel Fikri. The visitors countered and pushed forward looking for an equalizer, aided, it has to be said, by constant losses of possession in midfield by the home team.

The Dragons deservedly equalized in the 78^th minute when Nerijus Valskis nodded in from a corner. A minute later the Swatcats regained the lead with a superb, diving header from Assumpcao.

In a late surge, Ekkachai went close on two occasions in a turbocharged finish for the home team as they swept forward looking to seal the three points but they were unable to add to their tally.

Fleetingly up to 7^th place and a vital and well deserved 3 points but there is no doubt that the team is struggling. The inability to maintain possession is putting massive pressure on the defensive unit and the midfield is failing miserably in its task of providing service for the front men. These are the same problems repeated week after week and one wonders if proficient coaching is taking place.

Match Day 22 Stats