Dateline 11^th May 2019

 FT Buriram United 2 NRFC 0

Attendance; 15867

The Thunder Castle was the venue for this the first Isaan derby clash of the season.

In a pulsating start, the home side started brightly with Cunningham called upon to make a save in the first minute. The Swatcats then countered and Assumpcao blasted in a shot that the keeper tipped into the side netting.

With Buriram looking menacing going forward, the visitors defended with great resolve but in the 21^st minute Buriram went ahead with a superb free kick from Luong Xuam Truong.

As the game developed into a tense midfield battle, few chances were created but in the 43^rd minute, Amadou went on a mazy run but he pushed his shot wide.

As the first half drew to a close, Buriram went in one up but the visitors were certainly not out of it.

The second half commenced with the Swatcats pushing forward with Yaya Kunath volleying wide and a clever free kick routine presenting him with a chance to prod in, but he was thwarted by the home keeper. Buriram countered and keeper Cunningham was forced to push a low drive wide of the upright.

In the 58^th minute, Amadou was brought down inches outside the box, he claimed a penalty, but replays confirmed a correct decision by the referee - no penalty - well done ref!! Minutes later an excellent passing move put Kunath clear, but his shot was well saved by the home keeper.

In what was proving to be a dominant period of play by the visitors, Buriram were forced onto the back foot and Henry headed in from a free kick in the 72^nd minute but the goal was ruled offside.

Against the run of play, Buriram went two up when Suphanat slotted home in the 79^th minute and as the match meandered to a conclusion, part of me perhaps thinks that the Swatcats deserved a point tonight.

A great battle and a decent performance against a strong Buriram side. Individuals competed well and the team certainly were not outclassed by a side who probably will go on to win the title. The second half performance, in which they more than matched Buriram was very encouraging.

Footnote; Superb support from the Swatcat fans who filled the visiting fans enclosure.

Match Day 10 Stats

Dateline 28^th April

 FT NRFC 4 Chonburi Sharks 0 

Attendance; 12667

Chonburi Sharks, fresh from there amazing 7-5 victory last weekend, were the visitors this weekend.

The Sharks started confidently and could have gone ahead in the third minute when a low drive drifted wide. The Swatcats then slowly built momentum and after a rather sterile opening half hour, during which neither side created clear cut chances, Henry opened the scoring. A superb backheel flick found the Ivorian who stroked the ball confidently into the net.

The Swatcats consolidated their lead with a well-crafted goal in the 40^th minute. Henri stepped

 over the ball from an Amadou pass to leave Assumpcao clear on the edge of the box and he thumped home to put the Swatcats two up.

Lukian had a great chance to pull one back when he shot narrowly wide in the 43^rd minute and as the first half drew to a close, without doing anything special, the hosts found themselves two nil up at half time!!

The second half commenced with the Swatcat defence sitting deep - a team trait that keeps resurfacing. The Sharks countered and began to throw men forward and one wondered if the hosts could exploit gaps inevitably left at the back.

The answer came in the 65^th minute when Assumpcao ended a fine solo run with a low drive that was saved by the ex-Swatcat keeper Kampon. Minutes later the Brazilian stroked home to put the hosts three up.

In late drama Assumpcao raced onto a through ball from Amadou. His run was ended by a lunging tackle inside the box from Noppanon and a penalty was awarded. The unfortunate defender was red carded (for a second yellow I think) and Assumpcao converted the spot kick to complete his hat trick.

A decent performance and a great victory tonight. Henry, Amadou and Assumpcao prove yet again what a handful they can be and the Sharks defence just could not cope. A word here for unsung hero Kidsada Hamvipat. He tackled again and again to add some much needed bite in midfield - he’s a real warrior.

A great hat trick from Assumpcao but the Sharks fans really need to know why the Brazilian was left completely unmarked in the box for his first two goals - conceding 9 goals in two matches is worrying even cataclysmic for Chonburi and it could lead to potential disaster!!

Onwards and upwards, Champions Buriram next. This match should be used as a gauge as to how far we have progressed and could answer the question, “Can we hack it against the best?”.

Match Day 9 Stats

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

Dateline 7^th April

 FT NRFC 3 Muang Thong United 1

Attendance; 18614

Struggling giants Muang Thong were tonight’s visitors.

Amadou - already a near constant threat, nearly opened the scoring in the 7^th minute with a low drive. The keeper parried and Henri almost tapped in the loose ball. The visitors countered and should have opened the score two minutes later, but their shot went wide. They continued to press and Heberty went close in the 25^th minute.

In the 33^rd minute, Henri swiveled and shot from the edge of the area. The keeper could only parry and Assumpcao was on hand to tap in to give the hosts the lead. Minutes later, Thai-Swiss newcomer Chitchanok sent Henri on his way with a superb through ball, he then continued his run and was found by a pin point pass into the box by the flying Henri. He blasted the ball into the roof of the net to put the Swatcats two up - a fine goal.

On the stroke of half time, Cunningham smothered a shot after a long through ball to ensure that the hosts ended the half two up.

The second half began, and Aung Thu drove just wide in the 57^th minute and with Muang Thong pressing forward, the marauding Swatcat forwards were now finding acres of space. With Henri and Assumpcao constantly menacing, it was no real surprise when Henri stroked in the third goal with a 20-yard drive in the 67^th minute.

Adisorn was shown a second yellow in the 86^th minute and was dismissed and in a late flurry, the visitors scored a consolation goal when Adisak stroked home in the 88^th minute.

Another fine performance from the Swatcats - this team is going places. Sorry to repeat myself but Amadou and Henri aided by Assumpcao could become the most potent strike force in the Premier League.

Muang Thong are struggling and were poor, but the home team completely dominated play and really should have scored more.

Our 4^th successive 10k plus crowd was amazing and the Stadium was really buzzing with anticipation - I see a bright season ahead - if only we had put away our chances at Prachuap and beaten lowly Trat!!

Match Day 7 Stats

Dateline 3^rd April 2019

 FT Prachuap 1 NRFC 0

Attendance; 3210

Second versus third in this early season top of the table clash with striker Henri back in the team after injury.

In a dramatic start, Henri missed a great chance to put the visitors one up after a great run and cross from Amadou. The Ivorian’s header slid just wide as the keeper foundered. Seconds later Amadou had a lob cleared off the line with the keeper well beaten. An electric start from the Swatcats but no goal to show for their endeavours.

The hosts countered and went close with a header in the 13^th minute, the Swatcats then broke forward and an Assumpcao through ball put Henri clear but he shot wide - what a great start to the match with chances at either end.

With the visitors continuing to press forward, Assumpcao shot into the side netting from close range after an Amadou scamper - this 30 minute period of play has been the best I have ever witnessed from a Swatcat side - but still no goals!!

On the stroke of half time Assumpcao curled a fine drive inches wide as the chances continued to flow from the visitors - one wondered if these missed opportunities might cost us the match later.

With Amadou on fire and an excellent half of attacking football behind them, the Swatcats ended the half well on top but ominously without a lead.

The Swatcats lost their impetus at the start of the second half and Prachuap went close in the 60th minute but keeper Cunningham managed to claw the headed effort away. Then a long-range effort shaved the crossbar with Cunningham beaten.

Matheus Alves blasted in on 69 minutes to give Prachuap an undeserved lead and apart from an Ekkanat drive in the 79^th minute, the visitors produced little in the second half.

A superb first half performance but unfortunately, the numerous chances produced were not taken. In the second half the team could not sustain the pressure and Prachuap were able to stay in the game and indeed went on to win it.

The side played with confidence and thoroughly outplayed their opponents with Amadou and Henri continuing to look extremely dangerous. How did we lose this one - in a nutshell, great performance, disappointing result.

Match Day 6 Stats

Dateline 30th March 2019

 FT NRFC 1 Bangkok United 1

Attendance; 10807

Premier League title tilters Bangkok United were this weekend’s guests.

The Angels began with a veritable 20-minute blitzkrieg putting the Swatcat defence under siege with quick passing and fine movement. Cunningham brought off a fine save from a free kick as the Angels pressed but the resilient Swatcat defence weathered the storm.

 In the 37th minute, the hosts stormed ahead when a sensational strike from T May T flew in to the net from 25 yards. Growing in confidence after the early onslaught, Assumpcao then went close with an acrobatic effort and minutes later Amadou was brought down in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Assumpcao strode up to take the kick but his shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Falkesgaard - Assumpcao’s second penalty miss of the season.

As the second half commenced, the Angels keeper again made a fine save from an Assumpcao free kick as the Swatcats strived for a second goal but somewhat unexpectedly, the visitors equalized in the 57th minute with a fine goal from Anon.

Keeper Falkesgaard brought off his third miraculous save of the match when Amadou - who by the way was my man of the match, pivoted and blasted in from 18 yards.
In a topsy turvy period of play the Swatcats had a lucky escape in the 69th minute when Cunningham smothered a shot and the resulting loose ball was hammered in but Pralong lunged and cleared the ball off the line.

The hosts countered and Assumpcao’s attempted bicycle kick went narrowly wide and then the Bangkok keeper smothered a long range shot and saved again as Amadou pounced on the rebound.

 In the 76th minute, drama as Lee was felled in the box by a punch in the kidneys but after the resulting uproar, the referee took no action.

More late drama as, in the dying minutes, T May T thundered a shot against the crossbar but ultimately, the Swatcats had to settle for one point, thanks to the brilliance of the visitor’s keeper.

A great match, two fine goals and an excellent point for the Swatcats against one of the league’s top teams. Bangkok certainly were a classy and skillful side but the Swatcats matched them for guts and spirit and thoroughly deserved their point. Bangkok keeper Falkesgaard made two or three world class saves to deny the home team all three points – our bright start continues.

Footnote; The Swatcats are still the best supported team in Thailand, with all three home games so far attracting 10k plus attendances.

Match Day 5 Stats

Dateline 16th March 2019

 FT NRFC 0 Trat FC 0

Attendance; 14120

Premier League newcomers Trat FC were the guests tonight.

In an opening salvo, Yayah Kunath headed narrowly wide as the hosts pressed and as the half progressed, Trat seemed content to sit deep and soak up any pressure. In the 24^th minute, in a half of few chances, Assumpcao went close with a 20 yard free kick.

In a rare foray forward, Trat had the ball in the back of the net on 27 minutes but it was disallowed due to an alleged foul on the home keeper.

In the 33^rd minute the Swatcats were awarded a penalty for a handball. Assumpcao stepped up to take the spot kick. The penalty was well struck but the Trat keeper pulled off a great save to keep the scores level.

In a half largely dominated by the home side, in which they played some tidy passing movements, they were unable to make that vital initial breakthrough.

In the opening seconds of the second half, Amucha was sent off for a second yellow, reducing the visitors to ten men. Minutes later new boy Chicanos Xaysensourinthone went close with a deft flick. Instead of this perhaps stimulating a real surge for victory, the Swatcats fell into a soporific period where they completely lost any shape or real desire. As the half progressed, the hosts produced little and indeed, Trat could have stolen all three points with sporadic raids forward.

A disappointing and frustrating night for the Swatcats. Despite having the majority of play, they were unable to pierce a resolute Trat defence. I think the team missed Henri tonight. There was some decent approach play on view but no one to add that vital finishing touch. Two points dropped to an obviously inferior side tonight - we must learn how to break down lower echelon teams if we are to make real progress this season.

Match Day 4 Stats