Dateline 20th October 2019

Chainat FC 1 NRFC 3

Attendance; 4089

A vital match for both sides as they both battle to avoid the dreaded drop.

Chainat began energetically with keeper Cunningham forced to push out an early drive. The visitors displayed an early edginess commensurate with the importance of this match as Chainat pressed.

The visitor’s response was a Chalermpong free kick going inches over the bar and as they gained a foothold in the match, cracks began to form in the home defence, with Amadou, as usual, the main threat.

In the 23rd minute, the visitors went ahead when an Assumpcao free kick was parried into the path of T May T who prodded the ball into the net. The visitors then began to dominate with first Assumpcao then T May T testing the home keeper.

As the half drew to a close the visitors seemed comfortable and looked likely to add to their goal tally in the second half.

A minute into the second period, a defensive mistake put Henri completely clear but he hooked his measured shot inches wide of the post. Minutes later, this time Assumpcao found himself alone in the box but his weak shot was cleared, then substitute Hartmann latched onto the clearance but he missed from 6 yards.

In the 54^th minute, the Hornbills introduced giant Ricardo Santos who made an immediate impact on the game. With every cross aimed at his massive frame and against the run of play, he rose majestically to nod home the equalizer in the 63^rd minute. Seconds later Cunningham brought off a world class save from the Brazilian as Chainat pressed. Amazingly Santos was again thwarted when Cunningham charged out to save at his feet. The Brazilian was not yet finished and his brilliant lobbed half volley bounced off the bar.

The Swatcats weathered the brief storm and Amadou went on a fine solo run that ended with a shot across the face of the goal. Henri then shot just over and with the hosts looking weary, Assumpcao fired in majestically from 22 yards. This seemed to suck the energy from the home side’s legs and they valiantly capitulated with their fate now sadly destined for Tier two.

The Swatcats were not finished and Assumpcao broke forward and put Hartmann clear inside the box. Unbelievably instead of shooting, he dinked the ball into the 6-yard box and the ball was cleared.

Well into stoppage time, “that Brazilian” drew a fine save from Cunningham, Chitchanok then struck the post with a low drive. The Swatcats then sealed a famous victory when Amadou’s persistence in midfield led to an Assumpcao tap in to put the visitors 3-1 up.

A tense encounter but at its conclusion a fine performance and victory for the Swatcats - put simply, they wanted it more. Great team spirit and desire shown by the whole team and in reality, the score could and should, have been 6-1.

 The final showdown is now upon us as the Swatcats take on Sukhothai in the final match of the season.

A win or a draw will ensure survival, but if Suphanburi lose to Chang Rai, the Swatcats could afford to lose and still survive.

Match Day 29 Stats