Sunday, 30 June 2019


Dateline 29th June 2019

 FT NRFC 0 PTT Rayong
1

Attendance; 10371

The Swatcats started with new signing Narupon in midfield and Hartmann on the bench.




The hosts began breathlessly, roaring forward straight from the whistle and within minutes, Amadou headed an Assumpcao freekick against the upright. Minutes later Assumpcao had a drive blocked after fine work from Henri - this was surely going to be a rout.

In the 8th minute the Rayong keeper saved well from a Naruphol cross shot and as the Swatcats continued to press, first Henri then Naruphol went close.

With the PTT goal now under constant siege, Henri broke clear but his low drive was saved, I am beginning to think that this is not going to be our day!!
The siege continued with Henri again thwarted when his shot from 8 yards was well saved.

In the 41st minute, Rayong entered the Swatcat half with any real intent for the first time and as the first half ended, was I in a dream? Was the score really 0-0.



The second half began with, guess what, more Swatcat pressure. Three minutes in, Assumpcao’s brilliant swerving drive was equally brilliantly saved by the PTT keeper.

Shock, horror PTT had the temerity to enter the Swatcat half again in the 52nd minute - but to no avail as the men from Korat continued their assault. Amadou hit an excellent snap shot inches wide and in the 59th minute Assumpcao struck the upright with a sumptuous swerving shot leaving the keeper floundering. The ball then bounced back to Henri whose shot hit the base of the upright and was ultimately cleared.

In now what must be becoming boring reading, Henri shot inches over from close range.
With desperation and frustration building and men flooding forward, the impossible happened. Rayong had their first shot on target in the 68th minute - and it went in. A combination of throwing too many men forward and inept defending presented the visitors with a goal as Pornpreecha Jarrunai slotted home from 16 yards.

With the stuffing knocked out of the team they pushed on but truth be told, I think that they realized it was not going to be their night. Hartmann was brought on for his debut and as the hosts battled on, Amadou shot over from 6 yards with only the keeper to beat and Assumpcao fired wide from 20 yards.

In a final flourish, Hartmann was put clear inside the box by a clever through ball from Henri but he shot wide from 7 yards.



  A fair result would have been Swatcats 8 PTT 1, but life is not fair is it!!

I have rarely seen such a one-sided football match, with the Swatcats having AT LEAST 90 % of play, only a combination of wretched luck and poor finishing prevented a rout by the hosts. A fine attacking performance but a disappointing result - it’s a funny old game!!

No need to panic, this was certainly a “one off” - at least we are creating chances, results will come.

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