Dateline 15^th February 2020

 FT Port FC 4 NRFC 1

Attendance; 6940

In this, the first game of the 2020 season, the game was preceded by a minute’s silence in honour and remembrance of the victims of last weekend’s shooting.

In a disastrous start, the visitors went one behind after 4 minutes. A Port free kick was floated in and the flick on found a completely unmarked Sergio Suarez on the far post. With Swatcat confidence wavering and with stirring home support, Port surged forward with the visitor’s defence being torn to pieces time and time again.

The second for Port seemed likely to come and but amazingly, the visitors countered and a superb Assumpcao free kick was headed onto the crossbar by Murillo. Minutes later Murillo went inches wide with a precision header.

On 28 minutes Port surged forward and a decent cross presented Heberty with a far post tap in.

In a topsy turvy half a deflected shot flew inches wide of the Port upright but in truth, a 2-0 half time score line could have been much worse for the visitors.

Minutes into the second half, a quickly taken free kick presented Heberty with a second tap in. There was a VAR review but the goal was awarded to put Port three up.

In the 62^nd minute Amadou volleyed in superbly from a corner clearance.

This revitalized the men in yellow and they settled into a period of pressure with Port defending ever more deeply. Late in the half Chichanok went close with a diving header and with the visitors pressing, Port broke forward and scored with a well worked forth in the 88^th minute.

A good game with a slightly flattering score line but the Swatcats were well beaten by a superior side. There were however moments to savour. Murillo should have scored a brace and a VAR penalty decision went against us. On the downside, the defence was an absolute shambles.

 Port exploited the flanks effectively with often men running forward completely unmarked with captain Chalermpong looking very shaky, especially with Korean Yoon Junsung by his side.

We will win more matches than we lose playing like this but there has to be a rethink regarding the defensive formation. Port exploited the back four by playing wide on both flanks, perhaps playing with five at the back may be the way forward – and I do have my doubts about the pairing of skipper Chalermpong and Junsung !!

Match Day 1 Stats