FUTERA UNITED 6-1 RMTFC

Sunday 24th September 2023 - 19:00pm Thailand / 12:00pm GMT - BPL Div 2

Futera United proved much too strong for RMTFC as they all but confirmed automatic promotion with a comprehensive 7-1 victory over their visitors at the Nonthaburi Wittayalai Stadium. Debutant Ikkiw scored his first goal in gold and black, and another scintillating display from Tun ensured Futera claimed a valuable three points.

After inflicting a heavy defeat on RMTFC earlier in the season, the visitors arrived full of trepidation with thoughts of damage limitation at the forefront of their game plan. Futera dominated from the off and should have gone ahead inside the first 10 minutes. An excellent run from Bank saw his pinpoint cross find Golf a yard out of the gaping goal, but somehow the in-form striker managed to scuff his shot into the post with the goal at his mercy. Golf made amends minutes later when he exchanged passes with Mai and raced through to poke the ball past the onrushing RMTFC keeper, injuring himself in the process, to give Futera the lead.

Futera doubled their lead when, after another fine run and cross from Bank, Golf’s powerful header could only be parried by the RMTFC keeper into the path of Mai, who gleefully fired home. Save had an effort ruled out for offside before the talented Phu made it 3-0, with his 12th goal of the season, waltzing through a static defence before a low angled drive nestled in the bottom corner of the net. With Futera now in complete control and pouring forward at will, they were caught out by a hopeful punt forward from RMFTC. A hesitant Chang allowed the opposition centre forward to beat him to the ball to head home and make the halftime score 3-1 to Futera.

Futera made wholesale changes for the second half, and it was the exciting Tun, who looks like a real player, who added to the scoring inside a minute of the restart. Racing onto a neat through ball, he drove home a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom corner. Aek was causing problems with his direct running on the right flank, and it was his run and astute ball to Tun who unselfishly crossed for Ikkiw to smash home into the empty net to make the score 5-1. Futera had numerous chances to add to their tally with both Ikkiw and Tun going agonisingly close before Tan swivelled in the box, and his fierce left-footed strike gave the RMTFC keeper no chance to make the final score 6-1.

A comprehensive victory for Futera, who outclassed their rivals and should have scored more goals but for some wasteful finishing. It was nice to see three of the new signings find the net. Tun looks to be the real deal, an intelligent striker who not only scores but creates chances for his teammates. I feel he will play a big part in our future plans. Three points more or less confirm a second successive promotion, and with the FA fixture next month, exciting times lie ahead.