SUNDAY 24th JULY - 19:00pm THAILAND / 13:00pm BST / 12:00pm GMT - BPL 4
With Bangkok experiencing some of the worst storms it had seen since 1955 the Futera Dome was deemed unfit to play on so, for the second time this season, the game was switched to the all weather 4G pitch at Nonthaburi Wittayalai Stadium. Our opponents for this BPL Division 4 fixture would be TM FC who we had beaten 0-4 earlier in the season.
Futera kicked off with a centre back pairing of Owen and Poom with John and Pang as full backs. The tight 4G pitch calls for accurate distribution and the first 10 minutes were littered with over hit, misplaced passing from both teams. In the 12th minute Phu picked up the ball deep in his own half and played a delightful through ball for the on running Jew whose cross was cut out by the TM FC centre back who could only divert into the path of John who smashed home to make the score 1-0 to Futera. The expectant glut of goals did not follow for Futera and TM FC acquitted themselves well and were looking dangerous on the break, with our defence susceptible to the ball over the top. Futera came close to extending their lead in the closing minutes of the first half, when Few was inches from connecting onto a deep corner and then a glancing header from Poom was excellently saved by the TM FC goalkeeper to keep the score at 1-0 at the break.
The second half began with Futera’s raucous support, now in possession of a drum, in full cry and this seemed to inspire the players who began to move the ball quicker and with more purpose. The introduction of Bank, Oat and Ice was the catalyst for an improvement in Futera’s play and Bank came close in the 62nd when after good work from Few his fierce left foot drive was well saved once again by the TM FC keeper. The deserved second goal finally came in the 70th minute when after a period of excellent possession Jew scampered through the TM FC defence, rounded the keeper and crossed for Bank whose first attempt hit the post, but followed up to steer the rebound into the net for his 10th goal of a productive season. With Futera now dominating it was inevitable that a third goal would follow and after nice build up play the tireless Oat crossed for Ter to bundle home to make the final score 3-0 to Futera.
Similar performance to the first game against TM FC when even though we weren’t at our best we still ran out comfortable 3-0 winners to move us up into second place in the BPL Division 4. I thought the centre back pairing of Owen and Poom lacked pace and mobility and we are still desperate for a striker who can score and hold the ball up. On a positive note Oat was excellent and must be pushing for a starting place and Ice controlled the tempo when he came on. We still remain unbeaten in the BPL and have a real chance of silverware in our debut season which would be an incredible achievement.