Dateline 29^th May 2019

 FT Samut Prakan City 2 NRFC 0 

Attendance; 1530

The Swatcats took on high fliers Samut Prakan in this mid-week fixture. The visitors started without skipper Chalermpong.

The hosts opened brightly but in early action from the visitors, Henri, struck the upright with an angled drive after a splendid solo run down the flank.

With both sides willing to throw men forward and plenty of space in midfield, an early goal looked likely. On 20 minutes Ibson Melo nearly opened the scoring when his low drive shaved the post. The men from Korat countered with a period of pressure that culminated in Amadou being foiled by the home keeper after a mazy run.

Samut Prakan probed with Ibson Melo a constant threat, as they continued to play some great approach play. Unfortunately for them their final finishing was poor.

They finally opened the scoring in the 42nd minute when a shot cannoned off the upright into the path of Chayawat Srinawong who tapped into an empty net. The visitors replied with a looping cross that outfoxed the keeper and rebounded off the bar.  

An entertaining first half came to an end, with both sides trying to play positive football and with the Swatcats slightly unlucky to be one down.

The second half began with neither side able to create clear cut chances. It took until the 57^th minute for a shot on target as keeper Cunningham smothered a low drive. This was becoming a “ping pong” battle with both sides breaking forward with very little end product.

The visitors began to exert pressure, looking for the equalizer and with inevitable gaps being left at the back, Samut Prakan sealed the points when Terraphol broke forward and stroked the ball into the net in the 73^rd minute.

In the 93^rd minute Ibson Melo almost made it three as he broke forward but his shot was comfortably saved by Cunningham.

A fairly straightforward victory for Samut Prakan tonight. The Swatcats looked dangerous going forward and defended stoutly but a talented Samut Prakan side deservedly took the victory and a valuable three points.

Match Day 13 Stats

Dateline 25^th May 2019

 FT NRFC 1 Port FC 1

Attendance; 22555

League leaders Port were the guests tonight.

The Swatcats opened positively with Amadou buzzing around, seemingly involved in every move. Despite this Port created the first chance when Cunningham was forced to push an angled shot past the post in the 9^th minute. The hosts countered and Henri was close to converting a “dinked” cross from Assumpcao. The Brazilian then went close as he failed, under pressure, to connect with an intelligent Henri cross.

With the hosts continuing to press forward, Henri went close with a flick and with Port offering little up front, things were looking good for the men from Korat. In the 37^th minute in the first controversial decision of the match, the Swatcats were denied a stonewall penalty when the ball struck Dolah’s arm inside the box - more controversy was to follow!!!

With a goalless half beckoning, Assumpcao volleyed from 20 yards. His shot took a deflection and struck the upright with the visitor’s keeper flailing. Not to be outdone Port went forward and a rasping shot flew literally inches over the bar.

With thunder rumbling and Amadou continuing to torment the Port defence, the teams went off at half time with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Under darkening skies, the second half kicked off. There then followed, even by Thai standards, a maelstrom the likes of which I have never seen. With chaos reigning, the referee took the players off the pitch in the 50^th minute.

After sterling work from the ground’s men and ball boys, the match recommenced in heavy conditions. With pretty football an absolute no-no the Swatcats gained the majority of possession but were shocked when a free kick from Pakorn was wickedly deflected past keeper Cunningham to give Port the lead.

Port’s Adisorn was sent off for a second yellow offense in the 78^th minute and then ten men Port had a guilt edged chance to seal victory with a fine breakaway run by Arthit but his final shot was poor and was smothered by Cunningham.

 The Swatcats roared forward and they were rewarded when Naruphol was brought down inside the box - controversy again as replays suggested that the challenge might have been outside the box. Henri hammered in the spot kick to equalize in the 92nd minute.

Another fine performance, cementing the hypothesis that we can mix it with the best. Port were not at their best and certainly they will not be propelled to the title with performances like this tonight,

This season’s side is chalk and cheese as compared to last season’s squad. A stout defence - although not quite as tight as last year and an attacking force which gives plenty of options up front. Amadou and Henri have both been outstanding and using Asssumpcao as a link from midfield has been a tactical masterstroke.

Keep it up lads, we are all proud of you!!

Match Day 12 Stats

Dateline 19^th May

 FT NRFC 4 Chiang Mai 2

Attendance; 10365

Struggling Chiang Mai were the opponents tonight.

In a stunning start to the match, 30 seconds in, a cross from Assumpcao was deflected inches wide of the upright by a Chiang Rai defender. Chiang Mai quickly settled and in fact they played some decent passing football belying their lowly position in the table.

With Amadou an almost constant threat, Kunath latched onto one of his crosses and headed into Assumpcao’s path whose low drive from 12 yards was blocked on the line by a defender.

The hosts continued to probe but with the visitors playing arguably the better football - indeed spurning a great chance to go ahead on the break in the 39^th minute, an entertaining match drew to a goalless first half conclusion.

The Swatcats opened the second half brightly with Assumpcao’s attempted flick going close. Minutes later he atoned for that miss when he pounced on an exquisitely timed Amadou through ball and stroked the ball calmly into the net to give the hosts the lead.

Minutes later Akekanat went close with a towering header as the hosts began to dominate. Later in a carbon copy move Akekanat again rose like a salmon out of an evening stream but this time made the net bulge to put the Swatcats deservedly two up.

There then followed a dramatic final 15 minutes during which 4 goals were scored. Chiang Mai pulled one back in the 76^th minute when Mustafa Azido outpaced Akekanat to slide home then Henri struck from outside the box to regain the two-goal lead.

 The brave Lanna Tigers again struck back when they were awarded a disputed penalty for handball in the 86^th minute.  Gionata converted the kick.

The game was finally put to bed when Amadou scored a sensational forth as he cut into the box and larruped the ball into the net.

Three points and another four-goal haul in this exciting encounter. Things are looking good for the Swatcats at the moment and given the present momentum, I expect the team to hover around the top six mark for the rest of the season.

The signings of Amadou and Henry were a masterstroke and as their partnership with Assumpcao develops, I see only productive times ahead.

A word here for Chiang Mai, they fought bravely with some skillful football - I hope they stay up.

Match Day 11 Stats

Dateline 11^th May 2019

 FT Buriram United 2 NRFC 0

Attendance; 15867

The Thunder Castle was the venue for this the first Isaan derby clash of the season.

In a pulsating start, the home side started brightly with Cunningham called upon to make a save in the first minute. The Swatcats then countered and Assumpcao blasted in a shot that the keeper tipped into the side netting.

With Buriram looking menacing going forward, the visitors defended with great resolve but in the 21^st minute Buriram went ahead with a superb free kick from Luong Xuam Truong.

As the game developed into a tense midfield battle, few chances were created but in the 43^rd minute, Amadou went on a mazy run but he pushed his shot wide.

As the first half drew to a close, Buriram went in one up but the visitors were certainly not out of it.

The second half commenced with the Swatcats pushing forward with Yaya Kunath volleying wide and a clever free kick routine presenting him with a chance to prod in, but he was thwarted by the home keeper. Buriram countered and keeper Cunningham was forced to push a low drive wide of the upright.

In the 58^th minute, Amadou was brought down inches outside the box, he claimed a penalty, but replays confirmed a correct decision by the referee - no penalty - well done ref!! Minutes later an excellent passing move put Kunath clear, but his shot was well saved by the home keeper.

In what was proving to be a dominant period of play by the visitors, Buriram were forced onto the back foot and Henry headed in from a free kick in the 72^nd minute but the goal was ruled offside.

Against the run of play, Buriram went two up when Suphanat slotted home in the 79^th minute and as the match meandered to a conclusion, part of me perhaps thinks that the Swatcats deserved a point tonight.

A great battle and a decent performance against a strong Buriram side. Individuals competed well and the team certainly were not outclassed by a side who probably will go on to win the title. The second half performance, in which they more than matched Buriram was very encouraging.

Footnote; Superb support from the Swatcat fans who filled the visiting fans enclosure.

Match Day 10 Stats