Dateline 4^th March 2017 – Match day 4.

 FT NRFC 2 Pattaya United 2

The Swatcats took on the Rockin’ Dolphins from Pattaya at the 80^th Anniversary Stadium aiming to keep their unbeaten record intact. The official attendance was stated as 9018 but my observation was that they were considerably more - maybe 14-16 000 at the ground. Maybe a “typo” and in reality there were 19 018 in attendance !!

Pattaya started brightly, being able to breach the hosts defence at will with raids down the flanks. In fact the hosts were lucky not to go one down in the second minute when a crisp cross was not converted. In fact, Pattaya impressed as they dominated the first 20 minutes. The Swatcats meanwhile looked limp and without creative ideas and chances - even half chances were rare.

In the 14^th minute Pattaya cut through the hosts defence like a knife through butter as a cross was nodded in by an unmarked Wellington. One has to ask “whose responsibility was it to pick up the tall Wellington?” – Igbonefo one assumes!!!

Pattaya created another clear chance in the 26^th minute with a snap shot well saved by the home keeper. The Swatcats continued to “huff and puff” with little reward as the half progressed.

The host’s first real chance came in the 29^th minute when good work from Adiyiah set up a shooting chance for Naruphol that was parried by the visitor’s keeper.

 Minutes later Velkoski converted a penalty to draw the Swatcats level. I have watched the replay several times and I still cannot see why the penalty was awarded!!

Adiyiah then went close on the cusp of half time as the hosts began to press.

The second half began with the men from Korat showing greater resolve but they were nearly shocked in the 48^th minute when a low shot almost squirmed through the keeper’s hands.

In the 56^th minute, their endeavours were rewarded when a superbly fashioned move terminating in a controlled finish from Velkoski gave them the lead – a cracking goal!! He was later denied a potential hat-trick with a poor offside decision going against him.

With the home defence looking unsure at times and an absolute sitter missed by Pattaya in the 70^th minute, the inevitable happened when Stojanovic stabbed home in the 77^th minute after some shambolic defending by the hosts.

Velkoski missed a golden opportunity in the 80^th minute when he shot over when an empty net beckoned – I think even I could have slotted that one in – with my legs tied together!!! A minute later Chakrit spurned another great chance to win it for the Swatcats.

With time running out, tempers boiling and the hosts desperate for the winner, Adiyiah and Lee Won Young were both dismissed for a fracas on the Swatcat goal line. Lee appeared to head butt Adiyiah who responded with a left jab to the face.

Another point gained – and still unbeaten, but it may be perceived as two points needlessly dropped. Another mediocre performance in which the defence looked very vulnerable at times - I’m still having doubts about Igbonefo’s obvious lack of pace. Up front we looked toothless with very little real quality with the final ball in evidence - only 4 chances created all match.

Against a team who most people may suggest will be relegation candidates come the end of the season, the Swatcats were made to look very ordinary. One worries what quality teams will do to this team. My preseason optimism is gradually waning match by match……

…………..Mind you - what do I know; maybe they’ll beat Buriram on Wednesday!!!