Dateline 7^th Oct0ber 2018

 FT Bangkok Glass 1 NRFC 2

Attendance; 5053

In this the last game of the season, Bangkok Glass needed a solitary point to avoid relegation.

The home team opened brightly, dominating play in the first 20 minutes but not really creating many clear-cut chances. In the 31st minute, a poor Cunningham clearance was returned to Totti who rifled in from 18 yards to give Glass a deserved lead.

With the Swatcat’s usual lack of constructive forward play thus far, this looked like an easy 3 points for the home side.

In a totally unexpected turn of events, the visitors came out of their shell and Akekanat swept in from close range after the home keeper dropped a cross. Minutes later, Tanaboon brought down Assumpcao just outside the box and was shown a red card for the offence. The home crowd was then stunned into silence as Assumpcao fired in beautifully from the free kick as they saw their side stare relegation in the face.

At half time The Swatcats were lucky to be 2-1 up and Glass were beginning to look anxious and panic stricken.

The second half began and the expected onslaught from Glass came. An 18-yard free kick was deflected just over Cunningham’s bar but the host’s desperate surges forward of course left gaps at the back and Akekanat was unlucky with a glancing header.

Glass continued to play the better football but the Swatcat’s defensive resolve was proving hard to conquer. They pressed, as in the first half, but again clear-cut chances did not come. In the 58^th minute, man of the match Akekanat kicked clear in a goalmouth scramble to defy Glass and on 67 minutes an angled drive flew just over.

 In the 79^th minute a delightful cross presented Kunath with a chance to tap in, but unbelievably he mistimed his effort and the ball was cleared.  Glass countered and in another goalmouth scramble Cunningham bravely cleared the danger. With increased desperation Glass flooded forward and Decha this time was the hero as he cleared a dangerous situation. A minute later Cunningham saved miraculously from a point-blank header as the pressure built.

In the 80^th minute Cunningham was again the hero when he pushed out a close-range shot - he took a real battering tonight as for the third time, a Glass forward clattered into him - he really is a warrior in times of need!!

With crosses raining in and Glass’s desperation growing the Swatcat defence time and again cleared their lines and in the 80^th minute Cunningham brought off another blinder of a save from a close-range shot.

 In the closing minutes, Bangkok Glass’s defence was again found absent when substitute Shehrel blasted over with only the keeper to beat - in reality, despite Glass’s pressure, the Swatcats had produced more quality chances.

In a final desperate and final flourish, Totti went close in the dying seconds but the visitors held on for the victory.

A dour defensive performance which sent Bangkok Glass plummeting down into Tier 2. A lucky 3 points, however the defence must be commended for some brave and at times heroic work to keep Glass at bay.

7th place in the league following this result - a commendable effort from an average bunch of players who have been coached - by necessity I believe, to avoid defeats. Not great to watch but the alternative, especially in this 5 down season was relegation!!

Match Day 34 Stats and end of season table