Dateline 21st April 2019

 FT Suphanburi 3 NRFC 1

Attendance; 3793

The Swatcats took on struggling Suphanburi this weekend.

In sauna like temperatures, both sides began in a somewhat ponderous fashion, hoping perhaps to conserve energy for the later stages of the game.

The deadlock was broken in the 17^th minute when Henry latched onto a long clearance from Cunningham and stroked the ball tidily under the keeper’s body. Suphan then came close to an equalizer with a Reis snap shot in the 21^st minute.

As the half progressed, Suphan got into their stride and in the 38^th minute Dos Santos managed to shoot the ball wide from 5 yards with an open goal beckoning - a rare opening for the hosts. A minute later Cunningham brought off an amazing save to tip a shot onto the bar.

With Suphan recovering after a shaky start, they were probably unlucky to be one down at half time.

The hosts began the second half brightly and went close with a clever flick in the 56^th minute. They began to dominate possession and they equalized in the 66^th minute with a powerful header from Hartmann.

Suphanburi deservedly went ahead with a scrappy tap in from Cleiton Silva in the 76^th minute as the Swatcats stumbled. Jakkit went close with a clever lob but this apart, the Swatcats had produced absolutely nothing in the second half.

In a late flurry Pralong went inches wide with a drive but in truth an equalizer would have been a cruel blow for Suphanburi.

 In a final flourish, Reis smashed in a third goal in the 96^th minute to rub salt into the faltering Swatcats’ wounds.

 Not a particularly inspiring performance tonight. After an impressive opening, they sat back and let the hosts get a foothold in the game. A deserved victory for Suphanburi but I expected more from the Swatcats tonight. Possibly their worst performance of the season!!

Match Day 8 Stats