Dateline 30th March 2019

 FT NRFC 1 Bangkok United 1

Attendance; 10807

Premier League title tilters Bangkok United were this weekend’s guests.

The Angels began with a veritable 20-minute blitzkrieg putting the Swatcat defence under siege with quick passing and fine movement. Cunningham brought off a fine save from a free kick as the Angels pressed but the resilient Swatcat defence weathered the storm.

 In the 37th minute, the hosts stormed ahead when a sensational strike from T May T flew in to the net from 25 yards. Growing in confidence after the early onslaught, Assumpcao then went close with an acrobatic effort and minutes later Amadou was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Assumpcao strode up to take the kick but his shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Falkesgaard - Assumpcao’s second penalty miss of the season.

As the second half commenced, the Angels keeper again made a fine save from an Assumpcao free kick as the Swatcats strived for a second goal but somewhat unexpectedly, the visitors equalized in the 57th minute with a fine goal from Anon.

Keeper Falkesgaard brought off his third miraculous save of the match when Amadou - who by the way was my man of the match, pivoted and blasted in from 18 yards.
In a topsy turvy period of play the Swatcats had a lucky escape in the 69th minute when Cunningham smothered a shot and the resulting loose ball was hammered in but Pralong lunged and cleared the ball off the line.

The hosts countered and Assumpcao’s attempted bicycle kick went narrowly wide and then the Bangkok keeper smothered a long range shot and saved again as Amadou pounced on the rebound.

 In the 76th minute, drama as Lee was felled in the box by a punch in the kidneys but after the resulting uproar, the referee took no action.

More late drama as, in the dying minutes, T May T thundered a shot against the crossbar but ultimately, the Swatcats had to settle for one point, thanks to the brilliance of the visitor’s keeper.

A great match, two fine goals and an excellent point for the Swatcats against one of the league’s top teams. Bangkok certainly were a classy and skillful side but the Swatcats matched them for guts and spirit and thoroughly deserved their point. Bangkok keeper Falkesgaard made two or three world class saves to deny the home team all three points – our bright start continues.

Footnote; The Swatcats are still the best supported team in Thailand, with all three home games so far attracting 10k plus attendances.

Match Day 5 Stats

Dateline 16th March 2019

 FT NRFC 0 Trat FC 0

Attendance; 14120

Premier League newcomers Trat FC were the guests tonight.

In an opening salvo, Yayah Kunath headed narrowly wide as the hosts pressed and as the half progressed, Trat seemed content to sit deep and soak up any pressure. In the 24^th minute, in a half of few chances, Assumpcao went close with a 20 yard free kick.

In a rare foray forward, Trat had the ball in the back of the net on 27 minutes but it was disallowed due to an alleged foul on the home keeper.

In the 33^rd minute the Swatcats were awarded a penalty for a handball. Assumpcao stepped up to take the spot kick. The penalty was well struck but the Trat keeper pulled off a great save to keep the scores level.

In a half largely dominated by the home side, in which they played some tidy passing movements, they were unable to make that vital initial breakthrough.

In the opening seconds of the second half, Amucha was sent off for a second yellow, reducing the visitors to ten men. Minutes later new boy Chicanos Xaysensourinthone went close with a deft flick. Instead of this perhaps stimulating a real surge for victory, the Swatcats fell into a soporific period where they completely lost any shape or real desire. As the half progressed, the hosts produced little and indeed, Trat could have stolen all three points with sporadic raids forward.

A disappointing and frustrating night for the Swatcats. Despite having the majority of play, they were unable to pierce a resolute Trat defence. I think the team missed Henri tonight. There was some decent approach play on view but no one to add that vital finishing touch. Two points dropped to an obviously inferior side tonight - we must learn how to break down lower echelon teams if we are to make real progress this season.

Match Day 4 Stats

Dateline 9th March 2019

 FT Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC 2 NRFC 3

Attendance; 6315

Starting in an unfamiliar all purple strip and without injured skipper Chalermpong, the visitors opened brightly with Assumpcao blasting in a shot that the home keeper did well to parry.

In the 9^th minute, with Ratchaburi on the back foot, the ball was bundled into the net by Henri following a free kick. The incident was reviewed by VAR and the goal was disallowed for hand ball - the Swatcat’s second goal in three matches to be denied by VAR!!

The Swatcats regrouped and went one up on 20 minutes when Amadou struck a low drive into the net from 30 yards. Minutes later Henri was denied a stone wall penalty. The decision went to VAR review and the decision was reversed. Assumpcao stroked in the spotkick to put the Swatcats two up.

Ratchaburi went close with a close-range effort in the 35^th minute - their only real chance of the half.

A spirited first half from the visitors, putting the Dragons under almost constant pressure and effectively subduing the Dragons as an attacking force.

As the second half commenced, I Just hope that we do not defend too deeply whilst trying to maintain the two goal lead.

Ratchaburi began to exert some early pressure and they almost immediately pulled one back when a rocket shot struck the upright and bounced back into Cunningham’s grateful arms. The visitors countered and Henri went close from an Amadou cross.

In the 65^th minute, Assumpcao connected with a long ball forward and stroked the ball neatly into the net to put the Swatcats three up and with Ratchaburi appearing to lose heart that should be job done and three well earned points.

Ratchaburi scored a consolation goal; in the 85^th minute with a stooped header creeping in - a goal they barely deserved and in late drama Ratchaburi were awarded a penalty after a VAR review. The penalty was scored to leave a tense last minute of play.

Make no mistake, the final scoreline was flattering for Ratchaburi - this was a rout.

One of the best performances I have seen from a Swatcat team - they were on fire against a disappointing Ratchaburi side. I think we are onto a winner with our Henri, Assumpcao, Amadou combo - boy did they look dangerous tonight. This coupled with our usual stonewall defence means that we could be top six contenders this season.

Match Day 3 Stats

Dateline 3^rd March 2019

 FT NRFC 1 Chiang Rai United 2

Attendance; 17215*

*official published figure, I think it is a typo, should be 7215

The Swatcats welcomed the beetles of Chiang Rai in this the opening home game of the new campaign.

Bill almost caused an early shock in the third minute when he found himself clear, but his low drive was beaten away by keeper Cunningham. The hosts then countered with some impressive forward play involving new boys Amadou and Henry. One of these thrusts forward culminated in a fine Assumpcao drive that shaved the upright.

In the 21^st minute Chiang Rai headed in from a free kick, but the offside flag had been raised and the effort was ruled out. There then followed some intense Swatcat pressure but after a swift counter, Rodrigues Da Silva back heeled Chiang Rai into the lead in the 29^th minute. Minutes later Henri tapped in to equalize after a goal mouth melee.

All square at half time but with Bill looking dangerous for Chiang Rai and the hosts threatening almost at will, more goals will surely come.

The Swatcats began the second half on the front foot with continuing thrusts forward with Amadou and Assumpcao looking increasingly dangerous. In the 59^th minute after some superb work from Assumpcao set Henri free, the Ivorian ran in on goal but fired into the side netting from 8 yards.

In the 75^th minute, Chiang Rai were awarded a penalty for a trip inside the box. Bill converted the spot kick to give the visitors the lead.

In a game of few genuine chances and two decent, well matched sides, Chiang Rai were slightly fortunate to win this one. I was most impressed with our new boys Amadou and Henri. They linked well with Assumpcao and will form a formidable forward force this season.

 A disappointing but not disastrous result and I believe that the display should provide the team with optimism for the coming campaign.

Match Day 2 Stats