Dateline 19^th April 2017 – Match day 9.

 FT NRFC 1 Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC 1

The Swatcats entertained Ratchaburi tonight. A sparse crowd of 4700 saw Ratchaburi open brightly with Cameroonian Essombe – who incidentally looked very dangerous all match, shooting narrowly wide in the second minute. The hosts countered with a rare moment of class when Pina drew a tremendous save from the keeper with a 20 yard drive. This shot was, to be honest, the Swatcat’s only real chance of the half.

The visitors looked dangerous up front, with the host’s goal line under threat and their defence looking vulnerable. With the rangy Essombe up front, they created a couple of decent chances.

In the 24th minute a well struck free kick hit the bar and El Jadeyaoui headed in the rebound to give the visitors a deserved lead.

A painful first half for Swatcat fans to watch with Ratchaburi dominating and the hosts chasing the game with little success.

The second half saw the introduction of Adiyiah - within seconds he announced his presence when he dabbed in from 4 yards after a fine cross from Velkoski. In a much more spirited second half performance the Swatcats took the game to a tiring Ratchaburi although the continuing tactic of lobbing long balls over the top was not very sophisticated - or effective!!

Adiyiah nearly bagged himself a brace when in the 57^th minute he wriggled and turned in the box to swivel and send his shot narrowly wide – a classy touch from the Ghanaian. Minutes later Velkoski caused havoc in the visitor’s defence when his low cross was scrambled clear.

In a final flourish, Essombe headed just wide and yet again Adiyiah was nearly on target as both teams battled for a winner.

 

Not a bad performance but another unconvincing home result from the Swatcats tonight. Full marks to Ratchaburi who performed well and were able to neutralize the hosts attacking force. In the first half there was only one team in it with Ratchaburi unlucky to be only one goal up at half time.

Without Adiyiah the Swatcats looked totally toothless up front and with Ratchaburi seemingly able to carve up the host’s defence at will, the salvaging of a point was a real bonus for the home team.

A top ten finish is looking increasingly unlikely as each week passes - let’s hope that the team is not dragged into a relegation dogfight.

 I think we all will have to acknowledge that this season, we have a moderately talented team that is trying hard but will at best be a very ordinary mid table outfit ……. OK with me but what waste of potential!!

Match Day 9 stats.

Dateline 8^th April 2017 – Match day 8.

 FT Si Saket 3 NRFC 3

The Swatcats visited the Kouprey’s paddock searching for points to help preserve their mid table position.

The visitors began on the front foot probing for an early breakthrough and in the 14^th minute they were rewarded for their early labours when a fine 22 yard drive from Decha Srandee opened the scoring. One minute later Athibordee slotted home a second after a finely crafted move. The visitors were off to a roaring start!!

The hosts pegged one back in the 25^th minute with a superb 25 yard drive from Assumpcao but with the first half coming to an end Adiyiah spurned a guilt edged chance to put the game to bed when he fluffed from 6 yards out.

The Swatcats were then punished for that miss when, on the stroke of half time the Koupreys equalized when a well taken free kick from Assumpsao squirmed past the keeper

The second half began with the Swatcats falling into an old and much maligned stance – they sat back and allowed Si Saket to come onto them. This led to an almost constant pressure from the Koupreys and a couple of clear cut chances being produced. Inevitably a home goal came when Assumpsao completed a brilliant hat trick in the 88^th minute with a simple tap in.

In an exciting climax to this thrilling match, the Swatcats snatched a point when Akekanat Kongket equalized with literally the last touch of the match. In a match that had almost everything thus far, the referee completed the occasion when he elected to send off the scorer for a reason I could not determine

A superb encounter, with the Koupreys overcoming the Swatcat’s early surge. A disappointing second half for the visitors with Si Saket deservedly going ahead with a superb halt trick from Assumpsao.

A decent performance from the Swatcats and certainly nothing to worry about. Their present position - give or take a place or two, is where I suspect they will end the season.

In truth a slightly fortuitous point for the Swatcats thanks to a last second equalizer…… but great entertainment.

Dateline 3^rd April 2017 – Match day 7.

 FT NRFC 4 Superpower Samut Prakan 0

Struggling and winless Superpower Samut Prakan were the guests in Korat tonight.

A disappointing crowd of 4114 saw the hosts open brightly, utilizing acres of space in midfield as Superpower struggled to maintain any sort of sustained possession. Dominic Adiyiah was, as usual, a constant threat as the men in orange probed.

The Swatcats opened their account in the 14th minute when a 35 yard free kick from Pina crept past the flailing Superpower keeper – a fine effort. Seconds later Athibordee went close with an angled drive.

Unbelievably, in the 17^th minute Pina again scored with a long range free kick – this time from a full 40 yards out. The keeper must take some responsibility for fumbling on the line but another fine effort from the Brazilian.

In the 26^th minute Chakrit drew a fine save from the keeper after good work from Adiyiah as the hosts continued to look dangerous. The pressure paid off in the 35^th minute when Akekanat Kongket  drove home from 7 yards following a corner.

In the 37^th minute Superpower produced a rare chance after some slack defending but as the half drew to a close the Swatcats were well on top.

The second half commenced with Dominic Adiyiah breaking and drawing a fine save from the keeper. The hosts seemed to have taken their foot off the gas early in the half, but in the 75th minute they scored a fourth when Naruphol scored with a curling effort after great work from Adiyiah.

With Superpower restricted to occasional speculative long range efforts, the home defence was rarely tested tonight and with the hosts putting away their chances with relative ease, this was an easy victory.

Make no mistake, Superpower were very poor tonight and based on this performance they will be playing Tier 2 football next year. The Swatcats played well but I still think they will continue to struggle against more impressive opponents. A fine 3 points however and their only losses thus far have been against the mighty Buriram and MuangThong.

Top ten?? maybe…but only just!!!

Dateline 11^th March 2017 – Match day 6.

 FT Muang Thong United 2 NRFC 0

The Swatcats took on the mighty Kirins at the SCG Stadium with pundits remarking that due to the Swatcat’s sky blue and white change strip, the spectacle looked remarkably like a Manchester derby!!

The opening 20 minutes saw both sides sparring with no clear chances created but the visitors did seem to be showing more forward intent than against Buriram.

In the 20th minute Muang Thong broke the deadlock when Mongkol Tossakai nodded in after some ping pong heading following a corner. The Swatcats countered with a shot testing Keeper Kawin and a brief period of pressure.

The half – a half of few chances, concluded with the Swatcats still in the game following a pretty decent first half performance.

After the break, in the 48^th minute, Velkoski came close to equalizing with a well directed header going just over the bar but minutes later, Teerasil Dangda effectively sealed the victory with an acrobatic tap in - this was his 100^th TPL goal – a fine achievement.

A rare substitution appearance for Prompong in the 65^th minute will, I know, please some Swatcat fan diehards but he rarely had opportunities to influence the game in a meaningful way.

The game meandered to a close with neither side able to trouble each other’s keepers to give the Kirins a well deserved 3 points.

A better performance than against Buriram with the team looking better organized in defence and showing more ambition going forward.

So 6 games in and heading for the International break, the Swatcats find themselves languishing just above the relegation spots. The position may not, in fact, be as bad as it seems. Of our six games played four have been away fixtures - with two of those away games against top 4 opposition.

Our form however has been mediocre thus far and one can only hope that it is because it is taking time for the new players to settle in.

Early days I know but I feel that we may be in for a tough season. I cannot see too many teams weaker than the Swatcats in a strengthening Top Tier hierarchy.

Dateline 8^th March 2017 – Match day 5.

                             

 FT Buriram United 4 NRFC 0

The clash of two of Isaan’s football superpowers took place in the Thunder Castle in this midweek encounter.

The game began with the hosts pressing forward with Diogo looking dangerous. The Swatcat’s defence coped effectively with the early raids forward, lying deep and content to soak up early pressure.

On 16 minutes Coelho nodded in following some slack defending to give Buriram the lead and 3 minutes later the Swatcats went two down when an unmarked Supachok drove home from 10 yards.

With the Swatcats not able to mount a semblance of an attacking move, one is tempted to say already - 20 minutes in - game over.

Buriram continued to dominate with the visitors only able to muster a couple of half hearted long range shots. With the visitor’s defence in total disarray time after time it was ultimately punished as Coelho made it 3-0 with a 12 yard drive.

The second half began, echoing the first half dominance of the home team with the Swatcats again unable to mount any sustained forward play. The continued lack of coverage by defenders inside the box is both worrying and likely to lead to more goals in this one-sided encounter.

In a rare foray forward Akekenat poked the ball just wide from 4 yards - the first Swatcat chance of the match in the 66^th minute!!!  Velkoski then missed from 2 yards after good work from Athibordee.

A slightly better performance in the second half but I suspect that Buriram had, by this time, taken their foot off the gas.

Late drama in the 76^th minute as Chalermpong was dismissed for a cynical challenge on Diogo. Why Diogo was not himself sent off for retaliating with a brutal shove is a complete mystery to me.

In the dying seconds the visitors conceded a penalty that Diogo converted to complete the scoring for Buriram.

Painful to watch and generally a poor performance against an obviously more talented side. Clueless in defence, toothless up front - there’s not much more to say.

I would have liked to have seen more fight and ambition and to sit back from the start is asking for trouble against a side like Buriram. This tactic effectively allowed Buriram to put the game to bed within the first 20 minutes.

Not a disaster but it does signal that we are not capable of competing with the top teams….and Muang Thong to come at the weekend!!!

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!!!

Dateline 26^th Feb 2017 – Match day 3.

 FT Chonburi Sharks 0 NRFC 0

The Swatcats travelled east to take on the Chonburi Sharks in this weekend’s fixture. The match began with both sides sparring but with little end effect and both defences able to cope with what few half chances were created.

In the 7^th minute a flailing Victor Igbonefo was lucky not to concede a penalty with a clumsy challenge just outside the 18 yard box. The resulting free kick struck the bar with the visiting keeper well beaten.

Poor balls in the final third prevented either side from creating real chances and at times the fans were subjected to periods of ping pong soccer with both sides alternately belting it long rather than playing it through midfield.

In the 16^th minute Andre Luis tested the keeper with a snap shot and in the 47^th minute, a well crafted move resulted in a Dominic Adiyiah drive that was well saved by the home team’s keeper, were rare moments of class in an otherwise dull first half.

A couple of half chances from the Sharks as the half progressed gave them the edge as the first half concluded.

The second half began with attacking moves from both sides again breaking down with poor final balls, but in the 52^nd minute Chonburi went close with a looping header after a fine cross. The home team began to exert increasing pressure with the men in orange confined to rare breaks forward.

Despite this pressure, clear cut chances were at a premium as the Swatcats defended doggedly, snuffing out any potential threats. The match petered out in a rather uninspiring way with the match ending in a dull stalemate - a useful point for the visitors but with home advantage, Chonburi will be disappointed with their lack of firepower up front.

A poor spectacle tonight with two teams destined, on their performances tonight, for mid table mediocrity. Neither side provided any real and consistent class up front with both keepers experiencing a relatively quiet night.

A dour and determined performance from the Swatcats, which keeps them unbeaten. Still only two goals from three matches which is a worry but 4 points from our opening two away games is encouraging and if we can maintain a decent home record we should be heading for a mid table finish.

Defensively (only one goal conceded so far and that was a penalty) we look sound, but Victor Igbonefo looked sluggish at times tonight and I think stronger teams will expose his lack of pace.

A mention has to be made about the Swatcat’s support tonight. The away section was sold out and the fans were noisy and relentless in their support of the team - well done to the fans. I feel sure that the players appreciate their support.