Dateline 29^th May 2019

 FT Samut Prakan City 2 NRFC 0 

Attendance; 1530

The Swatcats took on high fliers Samut Prakan in this mid-week fixture. The visitors started without skipper Chalermpong.

The hosts opened brightly but in early action from the visitors, Henri, struck the upright with an angled drive after a splendid solo run down the flank.

With both sides willing to throw men forward and plenty of space in midfield, an early goal looked likely. On 20 minutes Ibson Melo nearly opened the scoring when his low drive shaved the post. The men from Korat countered with a period of pressure that culminated in Amadou being foiled by the home keeper after a mazy run.

Samut Prakan probed with Ibson Melo a constant threat, as they continued to play some great approach play. Unfortunately for them their final finishing was poor.

They finally opened the scoring in the 42nd minute when a shot cannoned off the upright into the path of Chayawat Srinawong who tapped into an empty net. The visitors replied with a looping cross that outfoxed the keeper and rebounded off the bar.  

An entertaining first half came to an end, with both sides trying to play positive football and with the Swatcats slightly unlucky to be one down.

The second half began with neither side able to create clear cut chances. It took until the 57^th minute for a shot on target as keeper Cunningham smothered a low drive. This was becoming a “ping pong” battle with both sides breaking forward with very little end product.

The visitors began to exert pressure, looking for the equalizer and with inevitable gaps being left at the back, Samut Prakan sealed the points when Terraphol broke forward and stroked the ball into the net in the 73^rd minute.

In the 93^rd minute Ibson Melo almost made it three as he broke forward but his shot was comfortably saved by Cunningham.

A fairly straightforward victory for Samut Prakan tonight. The Swatcats looked dangerous going forward and defended stoutly but a talented Samut Prakan side deservedly took the victory and a valuable three points.

Match Day 13 Stats

Dateline 25^th May 2019

 FT NRFC 1 Port FC 1

Attendance; 22555

League leaders Port were the guests tonight.

The Swatcats opened positively with Amadou buzzing around, seemingly involved in every move. Despite this Port created the first chance when Cunningham was forced to push an angled shot past the post in the 9^th minute. The hosts countered and Henri was close to converting a “dinked” cross from Assumpcao. The Brazilian then went close as he failed, under pressure, to connect with an intelligent Henri cross.

With the hosts continuing to press forward, Henri went close with a flick and with Port offering little up front, things were looking good for the men from Korat. In the 37^th minute in the first controversial decision of the match, the Swatcats were denied a stonewall penalty when the ball struck Dolah’s arm inside the box - more controversy was to follow!!!

With a goalless half beckoning, Assumpcao volleyed from 20 yards. His shot took a deflection and struck the upright with the visitor’s keeper flailing. Not to be outdone Port went forward and a rasping shot flew literally inches over the bar.

With thunder rumbling and Amadou continuing to torment the Port defence, the teams went off at half time with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Under darkening skies, the second half kicked off. There then followed, even by Thai standards, a maelstrom the likes of which I have never seen. With chaos reigning, the referee took the players off the pitch in the 50^th minute.

After sterling work from the ground’s men and ball boys, the match recommenced in heavy conditions. With pretty football an absolute no-no the Swatcats gained the majority of possession but were shocked when a free kick from Pakorn was wickedly deflected past keeper Cunningham to give Port the lead.

Port’s Adisorn was sent off for a second yellow offense in the 78^th minute and then ten men Port had a guilt edged chance to seal victory with a fine breakaway run by Arthit but his final shot was poor and was smothered by Cunningham.

 The Swatcats roared forward and they were rewarded when Naruphol was brought down inside the box - controversy again as replays suggested that the challenge might have been outside the box. Henri hammered in the spot kick to equalize in the 92nd minute.

Another fine performance, cementing the hypothesis that we can mix it with the best. Port were not at their best and certainly they will not be propelled to the title with performances like this tonight,

This season’s side is chalk and cheese as compared to last season’s squad. A stout defence - although not quite as tight as last year and an attacking force which gives plenty of options up front. Amadou and Henri have both been outstanding and using Asssumpcao as a link from midfield has been a tactical masterstroke.

Keep it up lads, we are all proud of you!!

Match Day 12 Stats

Dateline 19^th May

 FT NRFC 4 Chiang Mai 2

Attendance; 10365

Struggling Chiang Mai were the opponents tonight.

In a stunning start to the match, 30 seconds in, a cross from Assumpcao was deflected inches wide of the upright by a Chiang Rai defender. Chiang Mai quickly settled and in fact they played some decent passing football belying their lowly position in the table.

With Amadou an almost constant threat, Kunath latched onto one of his crosses and headed into Assumpcao’s path whose low drive from 12 yards was blocked on the line by a defender.

The hosts continued to probe but with the visitors playing arguably the better football - indeed spurning a great chance to go ahead on the break in the 39^th minute, an entertaining match drew to a goalless first half conclusion.

The Swatcats opened the second half brightly with Assumpcao’s attempted flick going close. Minutes later he atoned for that miss when he pounced on an exquisitely timed Amadou through ball and stroked the ball calmly into the net to give the hosts the lead.

Minutes later Akekanat went close with a towering header as the hosts began to dominate. Later in a carbon copy move Akekanat again rose like a salmon out of an evening stream but this time made the net bulge to put the Swatcats deservedly two up.

There then followed a dramatic final 15 minutes during which 4 goals were scored. Chiang Mai pulled one back in the 76^th minute when Mustafa Azido outpaced Akekanat to slide home then Henri struck from outside the box to regain the two-goal lead.

 The brave Lanna Tigers again struck back when they were awarded a disputed penalty for handball in the 86^th minute.  Gionata converted the kick.

The game was finally put to bed when Amadou scored a sensational forth as he cut into the box and larruped the ball into the net.

Three points and another four-goal haul in this exciting encounter. Things are looking good for the Swatcats at the moment and given the present momentum, I expect the team to hover around the top six mark for the rest of the season.

The signings of Amadou and Henry were a masterstroke and as their partnership with Assumpcao develops, I see only productive times ahead.

A word here for Chiang Mai, they fought bravely with some skillful football - I hope they stay up.

Match Day 11 Stats

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