Dateline 8^th September 2018

 FT NRFC 0 Buriram United 2

Attendance; 15679

The Swatcats welcomed future TPL Champs Buriram United this weekend.

Right from the start it was apparent that this was going to be a “men verses boys” encounter with Buriram confidently stroking the ball around whilst the Swatcats gamely and at times agriculturally tried to get a toehold in the game.

With Diogo a constant threat (what a player he is), the Buriram players were quicker to the ball and their off the ball movement meant that there was always a passing option. The Swatcats conversely appeared to be laboured and unable to maintain possession.

In the second minute a quick break forward by Osvaldo led to his low drive striking the post - an early warning for the hosts. Minutes later the Swatcats were denied a clear penalty when Chanatphon was tripped inside the box - where is VAR when you need it???

In the 23^rd minute Akekanat swept the ball into the net but was adjudged to be offside - a correct decision from where I was sitting. Buriram continued to push forward and in the 30th minute Osvaldo drew a save from Cunningham after a clever flick from Diogo.

A minute later Diogo finished off a fine flowing move when he swept in from the edge of the box to give the visitors a well deserved lead, and as the half drew to a close it looked a long way back for the men in orange.

The second half commenced with Buriram again in the ascendance with the men from Korat unable to mount a sustainable challenge. Osvaldo was inches wide with an angled drive on 55 minutes and the result was put beyond doubt on 64 minutes when Diogo, in true Diogo style, ran in from deep and swept the ball into the net from 14 yards.

Osvaldo who had been a constant threat all match nearly made it three a minute later when his angled drive went narrowly wide.

The Swatcats were completely outclassed by a side superior in all departments and there is no shame in that. The Swatcats, however, have now managed only 3 shots on target in the last two games. I understand Joksic’s need to grind out the results to avoid relegation but what about the long suffering fans. Sure the massive crowd of 15 000 were entertained by a talented Buriram side but I do wonder how many will turn up on Wednesday for the Navy game.

Football is an entertainment business… in this regard some teams are failing the fans!!!

Match Day 28 Stats

Dateline 5^th September 2018

 FT Pattaya United 0 NRFC 1

Attendance; 2328

An explosive start in this mid table clash when, in the second minute, Antonio Pina sensationally lashed in from 50 yards. This goal will 100% be seen as the goal of the season.

An astonished crowd, after recovering from such an amazing event was then subjected to the most successful rearguard action since Peacock’s Hill!!

Pattaya pressed forward gamely, probing and despite creating chances, were unable to break down the Swatcat’s resolute defence.

A 7^th minute free kick crashed against the visitor’s crossbar and minutes later Cunningham brought off two miraculous saves to keep out home attempts from close range but with the stage being set, the Swatcats dug in and defended deep.

In the 15^th minute, in a rare raid forward, Kunath was denied a stonewall penalty when he was brought down unceremoniously inside the box. Pattaya bounced back and keeper Cunningham was again called into action in the 22^nd minute when he tipped a low drive just around the post.

As the half drew to a close, the home team were well on top but were becoming increasingly frustrated at their inability to break the deadlock.

As the second half began, Pattaya continued to surge forward and in the 60^th minute a long range shot shaved the post and minutes later Cunningham tipped a free kick onto the bar.

In a late flourish Cunningham parried a close range header but despite almost continuous pressure, Pattaya only managed 3 direct second half shots on target - testament I feel to the visitor’s dogged defending.

In the final minute Kunath, through on goal, was upended and the home defender was shown a red card. The resulting free kick from Pina was well saved by the keeper.

Well, this was a result much against the run of play. The visitors shut up shop after the early opener and then a brave rearguard action against a talented Pattaya team resulted in an important three points. That early goal was one of only two attempts on goal for the team and perversely, Pattaya could have scored 4 or 5 but for some real heroics by keeper Cunningham.

The team is, in my opinion, now safe from relegation - well done to the players and coach - I certainly underestimated the team and now we must press for a top 8 position in the league.

A forthcoming semi final berth (and final maybe) coupled with a potential top 8 finish certainly represents a successful campaign. My early season pessimism was thankfully unwarranted and we seem to have survived the pivotal “5 down” season.

Match Day 27 Stats

Dateline 5^th August 2018

 FT NRFC 0 Bangkok United 0

Attendance; 4677

The Swatcats welcomed the Angels from Bangkok in this, the last match before the near month long break for the Asian Games.

In a rather bizarre line up, wingback Akekanat was played up front and Malaysian striker Shahrel was played as a wingback - a role he certainly looked uncomfortable in. Yayar Kunath was also given a start.

 In a first half almost devoid of chances the visitors showed great passing skills which resulted in large periods of midfield possession with the hosts unable at times to get the ball from their more talented adversaries. Their possession however was not being rewarded by chances created as the hosts defended bravely.

The Angels were restricted to a single long range shot that drifted wide and a headed half chance from a corner. The hosts for their part went close when Kunath failed to connect with a pin point cross and Akekanat dragged a shot wide.

As a rather entertaining first half concluded, neither keeper had been called into serious action.

The second half started with the hosts beginning to assert themselves as the Angels began to fade. The momentum seemed to have shifted in favour of the hosts as they hunted for a vital first goal.

In the 73^rd minute Yayar Kunath connected with a well directed free kick but his header was weak and drifted wide - one thought that if it had been Assumpcao on the end of the free kick, the deadlock would have been broken!!

A minute later, the finest move of the match. Assumpcao broke forward and a deft flick put Jakkit clear. His cross was met by the advancing Assumpcao but his chance was foiled by a combination of defender and keeper and the ball was deflected just wide.

In a late Bangkok surge, Robson was inches wide with a fine drive and then in the 93^rd minute Pokklaw Anan’s 25 yard shot shaved the post with keeper Cunningham flailing - probably the Angels first real chances of the match.

Another fighting performance to gain a vital point against a technically superior Bangkok outfit. In a game of precious few chances, the Swatcats, fighting for their very TPL existence, defied the Angels from Bangkok and indeed could have snatched all three points with what was arguably their only clear cut chance of the match.

We now go into the Asian Games break on a relative high, sitting in a creditable 8h place and 6 points clear of the relegation zone.

Match Day 26 Stats

Dateline 29^th July 2018

 FT Air Force Central 1 NRFC 0

Attendance; 1898

The Swatcats took on league basement side Air Force this weekend. They started without skipper Chalermpong and with Pina and Marinkovic in midfield.

The match commenced in very heavy conditions with heavy rain continuing to fall.

In a rather tentative start by both teams, as they attempted to adapt to the worsening conditions, chances were scarce but the hosts were beginning to dominate possession.

In the 23^rd minute Assumpcao missed a tap in from 4 yards - the first real chance of the match. The Swatcats then began to knock the ball around effectively and Assumpcao was denied a clear penalty when he was pushed in the back.

In a thrilling first half final 5 minutes, Assumpcao was again in action in the 40^th minute when he finished a fine move with a rasping drive that went narrowly wide. Minutes later Marinkovic let fly with a 30 yard thunderbolt that was tipped over by the keeper. From the resulting corner Assumpcao’s shot was cleared acrobatically off the line.

A half of few chances and little excitement drew to a close with the match deadlocked at 0-0.

The second half began with Assumpcao going close as the visitors went on the offensive. He nearly put the visitors deservedly ahead on 60 minutes after a quickly taken throw in, but his shot was parried by the keeper.

Air Force seemed to have run out of ideas as the Swatcats pressed and on the hour had not yet produced a single shot on target.

As the Swatcats seemed to tire, Air Force bounced back, with a drive narrowly wide and a header just over the bar. Cunningham then saved well from an angled drive as Air Force began to take control late in the game.

Air Force broke the deadlock with a 90^th minute winner as Kayne Vincent fired in from 8 yards - unbelievably, their first shot on target in the whole match!!

Disappointing result and back into the relegation mix. This was not a great spectacle, hampered as it was by poor conditions. The Swatcats defended well and Assumpcao could have bagged a hat trick but his poor finishing cost us dearly. We have now made it “squeaky bum” time as we are only 5 points clear of the bottom five. I suspect that we will be safe but with Bangkok United next i.e. no points, we could find ourselves only 2 points clear going into the Asian Games break.

Match Day 25 Stats

Dateline 21st July 2018

 FT NRFC 1 Chainat Hornbills 0

Attendance; 3270

The Swatcats welcomed the Hornbills in this mid table clash. They started with Assumpcao and Malaysian Shahrel up front - still no Yayah Kunath!!

The home team started brightly and Shahrel shot just wide in the third minute. They then began to dominate and with Chainat throwing 3 or 4 men forward in rather a reckless fashion surely openings would be left at the back.

In the 15^th minute, a Chakrit cross was deflected goal ward by a defender but an alert keeper managed to palm the ball just wide of the post - a lucky let off for the visitors. From the resulting Pina corner, Jakkit headed in to give the Swatcats a deserved lead.

The home team continued to create half chances and with any luck could have been 2 or 3 as the half came to an end.

As the second half progressed, the home defence was put to a real test as the Hornbills strived for an equalizer. Sterling work from Lee and Chalermpong aided by T May T, managed to keep the marauding Hornbills at bay. Despite the Hornbill pressure, they did not create real chances and indeed Jakkit almost put the Swatcats two up with a fine drive in the 53^rd minute.

The home team were denied a stonewall penalty in the 64^th minute when Assumpcao was body checked in the box but play was waved on - one of many dubious decisions that tonight’s referee made. Assumpcao then had a clear chance to make it two in the 71^st minute but his low drive was weak. Minutes later he raced through on goal only to be again body checked off the ball just outside the box - again his claim for a foul was turned down!!

Definitely a proverbial “game of two halves - first half, the Swatcats dominated but second half they defended too deep and allowed a spirited and attack minded Hornbill side to put the defence under massive pressure.

A competent performance from the home side and a massive 3 points. I now feel that the team is safe from the drop and indeed should be looking to cement a seventh place finish. Full marks to the club for adding to the squad at a critical time and despite my early season pessimism, the club appears to have rescued its season.

I consider that the club has massively exceeded expectations - well done to everyone at the club. 8 games unbeaten, bottom placed Air Force next weekend and a winnable FA Cup quarter final to come - things are looking up!!

Match Day 24 Stats

Dateline 15^th July 2018

 FT Muang Thong United 0 NRFC 0

Attendance; 6881

The Swatcats visited the home of fallen heroes Muang Thong United this weekend.

The match commenced with the home side pressing. The Swatcats, without the injured Assumpcao, were offering little up front and they were subject to almost constant Muang Thong pressure.

Coelho had a couple of headers just off target as the pressure built and the home side had a bullet of a shot hammer the post as the visitors continued to live dangerously.

Completely against the run of play, Yaya Kunath went close on the break then seconds later T Mat T struck a fine shot that the keeper tipped just over.

In the 36^th minute Ekkachai was shown a red card for barging into the referee after a series of decisions had gone against his teammates. A silly reaction by Ekkachai and the referee had no option than to order the player off.

As the first half drew to a close, firm defending and a large dollop of luck prevented the home team from breaking the deadlock but perversely, the Swatcats could be one or two up!!

As the second half commenced, one had to wonder could the Swatcats possibly hold out for another 45 minutes!! The expected onslaught continued but Pralong Sawandee hit a free kick that rattled the crossbar in a rare Swatcat foray forward.

Coelho went close in the 62^nd minute and Heberty drew a fine save from keeper Cunningham in the 65^th minute but Muang Thong seemed to be slowly running out of ideas as the visitors defended resolutely.

Pralong Sawandee had a speculative shot in the 83^rd minute but the hosts continued to probe, searching for that elusive winner. Sawandee had a late chance to win the game with a 22 yard free kick but he fired over and the game concluded goalless. 

A brave Swatcat performance tonight as they challenged a much superior Muang Thong outfit. A well earned and valuable point that extends the Swatcat’s unbeaten run. Pralong Sawandee was exceptional and Yaya Kunath looked lively throughout and did enough to earn himself a regular berth in the side.

Match Day 23 Stats

Dateline 7^th July 2018

 FT NRFC 2 Ratchaburi 1

Attendance; 2559

The Swatcats welcomed the Ratchaburi Dragons this weekend with skipper Chalermpong making his 100th appearance for the club.

The match kicked off in a near empty stadium - I have never seen it so bereft of fans.

Ratchaburi looked quite lively in early exchanges and with the home team unable to maintain possession, an early Dragon goal seemed likely. The Swatcats fought back however and a series of corners eased the pressure. They then created a couple of half chances as they grew into the game and Marinkovic went close with a long range shot.

In the 43^rd minute, a clever lob from Pralong Sawandee bounced tantalizingly off the crossbar with all defenders looking on in amazement. This was the only real chance in an otherwise uneventful 45 minutes of football.

With the second half  only minutes old, one of the most bizarre own goals I have ever seen was scored by Philip Roller as he sliced the ball in from 16 yards to give the men in orange the lead. Ratchaburi produced a couple of half hearted shots on goal but the Swatcats seemed a little more composed in the second half and began to look dangerous on the break.

The home team now began to dominate proceedings as the Dragons faded and a couple of guilt edged chances were wasted by Assumpcao and Shahrel Fikri. The visitors countered and pushed forward looking for an equalizer, aided, it has to be said, by constant losses of possession in midfield by the home team.

The Dragons deservedly equalized in the 78^th minute when Nerijus Valskis nodded in from a corner. A minute later the Swatcats regained the lead with a superb, diving header from Assumpcao.

In a late surge, Ekkachai went close on two occasions in a turbocharged finish for the home team as they swept forward looking to seal the three points but they were unable to add to their tally.

Fleetingly up to 7^th place and a vital and well deserved 3 points but there is no doubt that the team is struggling. The inability to maintain possession is putting massive pressure on the defensive unit and the midfield is failing miserably in its task of providing service for the front men. These are the same problems repeated week after week and one wonders if proficient coaching is taking place.

Match Day 22 Stats