Dateline 22nd September 2018

 FT NRFC 3 Prachuap Kiri Khan 3

Attendance; 2372

Striker Jakkit looked lively in early exchanges as the Swatcats probed - he is not the finished article just yet but I feel he will make a useful target man in the future. Despite the home team having the better of early encounters, Reis drew a fine save from Cunningham in the 18^th minute.

The Swatcat’s approach play was fine tonight but often the final pass went astray as they pressed for an early advantage. The home team’s first real chance came in the 31^st minute when Akekanat headed a Pina corner onto the crossbar. Almost immediately Prachuap broke forward and Reis missed from 8 yards with only the keeper to beat.

With the game suddenly bursting into life, the home team went ahead when Kitsada swept the ball in at the far post after a fine break from Ekkachai.

As the half drew to a close, the home team looked good value for their 37^th minute lead.

In the 49^th minute Ekkachai pounced on a poor clearance from the keeper and sent a 40 yard rocket just inches wide of the upright. As the Swatcats began to dominate, Assumpcao went close in the 54^th minute and in the 64^th minute they went two up when Shahrel tapped in after fine work from Pina.

Prachuap struck back immediately when a deflected Doumbouya shot looped over keeper Cunningham. The home team, still looking composed, was denied a third goal when a sharp near post header from Jakkit stuck the upright.

The points were seemingly in the bag when Assumpcao headed in on 72^nd minutes and with coach Joksic looking very emotional on the sidelines, things were looking bright for the men from Korat.

With the Swatcats now rampant, Jakkit fired in from 20 yards, the keeper parried and the ball fell to Assumpcao’s feet but he failed to make a clear contact and the ball was cleared.

With a comfortable and deserved 3-1 lead, the hosts relaxed and Prachuap took full advantage of this lapse. An unmarked Doumbouya nodded in on 81 minutes and the visitors completed the comeback in the 93^rd minute when Cunningham dropped an innocuous looking shot and Reis tapped in.

The referee used VAR to review the incident but he allowed the goal.

Two points dropped against a poor Prachuap side - as it happens it doesn’t really matter but disappointing none the less. Joksic started with two real strikers at last - Jakkit and Assumpcao and we scored three goals - perhaps the penny has finally dropped.

Tonight’s performance was fine but why can’t the coach realize that his recent ploy of playing Akekanat - a wing back - as the sole striker is probably not the best strategy. Perhaps the attendance figure is testament to the coach’s negative tactics. Fans will not turn up to watch a team averaging 2 or 3 shots on target per match.