Dateline 12^th September 2018

 FT NRFC 2 Navy FC 1

Attendance; 1465

In a distinctly miserable and wet midweek evening, strugglers Navy were the guests.

The visitors opened brightly, out passing the home team and looking dangerous moving forward. They seemed to be coping better with the sodden pitch but were nearly shocked in the 6^th minute when a long range Antonio Pina free kick went inches wide.

The Swatcat defence was opened up in the 11^th minute when a cross found Amadou completely unmarked in the 6 yard box - there was no defender within 3 yards of him!!! He slid the ball under Cunningham to give Navy an early lead.

In the 20^th minute the Swatcat defence was again ruthlessly exposed when Caton broke through, unbelievably with only the keeper to beat he shot wide from 6 yards - what a let off!!

As the half progressed the hosts were unable to exert any dominance and indeed, Navy looked the more accomplished side.

The second half saw the Swatcats seemingly determined to overturn their first half deficit and in the 49^th minute, after some fine interplay, Akekanat was just wide with a drive. A minute later Pralong Sawandee put in a delicious cross for Assumpcao to hammer home the equalizer.

The home team now began to dominate as Navy wilted and with almost constant pressure and several fine passing movements, it seemed only a matter of time before the winner would come.

The hosts went close with a diving header in the 60^th minute then Pina tested the keeper with an in swinging corner as the Swatcats pressed. Pralong Sawandee then drew a fine save from the keeper with a swerving free kick.

The chances continued to come as Ekkachai broke forward and only a fine save from his drive prevented a second goal and minutes later another long range free kick from Pina whistled past the post.

Navy caused a solitary moment of panic in the 92^nd minute when the ball ping ponged around in the 6 yard box following a corner but the hosts survived and finally the inevitable happened when Jakkit poked the ball home from a sublime cross by Pralong Sawandee to give the hosts a deserved lead.

A real Jekyll and Hyde performance from the Swatcats tonight but in reality safety from the drop has been achieved. An inept and depressing first half performance where in reality they should have been two nil down was followed by a fine domineering display leading to a vital three points.

The importance of this victory was brought home as coach Joksic sank to his knees in the mud as the second goal went in and we can now all relax with 5 games to go and safety assured.

Match Day 29 Stats