Samitivej 3 – 1 Bangkok Storm
Courtesy of BST’s Kenji’s write up on the BST website, we can bring a not-quite-so-exclusive insight to the game on Saturday.  In short, the “…third game brought about a second loss and … although unexpected, we [BST] deserved it.”  With a few players missing and the number of BST substitutes reducing with injuries, BST found it tough to match the squad size and frequent rotation of the SAM team.  That said, BST had a good first half and by their reckoning had 6 good chances to SAM’s 2. None of those chances were converted though and the teams went into the half at nil-nil.

The second half was a different story with SAM taking the initiative.  SAM did well to exploit BST weakness at the back and with their fresh players, they started running rampant down the flanks drawing the centre backs to the sides and leaving the middle vulnerable. A great move down the left with an even better ball into the box led to SAM’s first – an excellent headed goal. The second came from a simple one-two releasing SAM’s striker to hit a powerful shot which the goalkeeper was unable to keep out.

BST got back into the game when Henri became BST’s top goal scorer with a well placed shot into the top left hand corner. Soon after, Henri was unlucky when he took an audacious free kick from just inside the SAM’s half and the ball sailed high and started to come down. The SAM keeper could only stand and watch as the ball thundered onto the bar. This could have been the moment to change the game but SAM rallied and five minutes later they scored their third decisive goal. SAM is not the same team that started the season, and a few other teams in the division will be in for a surprise when they play them.  BST’s Man of the Match goes to Kh. Tun who played very well in attack and offered great support in defense.

FC Pattaya 2 – 2 BU Japan
FCP had a very good hard-fought game against Bangkok United, going 2-0 up in the first 20 minutes with goals from Lee Homer and Paul Darbyshire only for Bangkok Utd to pull 2 goals back before half-time. The second half saw valiant effort from both sides with a number of missed chances to win the match falling to both sides.  In the end, a draw seemed a fair result as it would have been a pity for either side to have lost with all the energy they had exerted.  The game was played in a very sporting manner and the man of the match was the tireless Lee Homer. With this effort it should not be long before you see FC Pattaya climbing the table. [Thx to Pete Mewes, FCP]

Siam Celtic FC 4 v 1 Pickled Liver
Siam Celtic, by their own admission, came into this game a little cocky after a very impressive start to the season and were swiftly brought crashing back down to earth by a very early Pickled Liver goal.  A long ball punted over the top, on the extremely muddy and slippery surface, was misjudged by the Celtic centre halves and the centre forward raced through on goal only to be thwarted by the agile Celtic keeper who got a hand to it and unfortunately palmed it straight to the Pickled Liver centre forward who really could not, and did not miss. One nil down after only a few minutes. This was the first time this season Celtic were behind, and surely a test of character.

The rest of the first half, like the pitch, was extremely sloppy, with Celtic having a few chances to equalize, but either dragging them wide or putting them over the bar. Centre half James Taylor hit a somewhat speculative free kick from the half way line that almost deceived the goalkeeper. This was probably the closest Celtic came.  The PL also came close to doubling their lead when SC’s keeper Piroj was called into action when a Pickled Liver player picked the ball up and hit one from 25yards which looked destined for the top corner.  Piroj managed to reach the ball and push it over the bar. A wonderful shot and an even better save. So, at the break, one nil to the Pickles.

After a rousing team talk SC stormed out of the blocks. From a corner Kh. Un got a toe to a low cross to make the scores level. A wave of SC attacks followed.  Another foray down the flanks led to a Jones’ goal.  2-1 and the relief for the boys in green was clear for all to see. PL now had to push forward to look for an equalizer and this led to them being exposed at the back. The rampaging Kh. Top on the right hand side, beat his man and whipped in a beautiful cross for Cunningham to beat the keeper to the ball and flick it into the corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season. PL were now desperate and left only two men at the back, and on the counter attack once more SC surged forward. Aled Jones picked the ball up on his favoured right hand side and cut inside onto his supposedly weaker left foot but managed to bang in an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner. 4 -1 to SC and game over.

Four wins on the trot now and SC are setting a very high standard for the other teams.  Can anyone knock them off their lofty perch?  Man of the Match: Duane Sheppard who worked extremely hard throughout in a number of different positions. [Many thx to Ruairi of SC]


Preview Wk6: A mixture of cup and league matches this week for the 2nd Div clubs.

On Saturday, iPlay and BSL Masters come back into the league competition.  Last year, iPlay had the better of the first two games against the MAS but the MAS came back to record one of their best victories in the third  game.  Both squads have undergone some changes and have had variable results in the opening games of the season.  Difficult one to call this, so sitting on the fence.  Draw.

Sunday sees six teams go into the Cup competition.  BSL Youth have Div 1 opposition with Tommy “The Teeth” taking his teenage charges into battle against his former team, the Londoner.  A couple of weeks ago there was a question mark or two hovering over the Londoner but they’ve regrouped and this should be a relatively straight forward game for the Dons.  There, that’ll get Tommy fired up.

In the other Div 1/2 clash, Anatolia take on Samitivej Hospital.  ANA are struggling at the bottom end of Div 1 and SAM has brought in new players to strengthen their squad. An upset in the making?

Pickled Liver play BU Japan in the first of two cup ties between Div 2 teams.  Both teams have suffered recent down-turns in form but the Japanese may be better equipped, particularly with a full squad on Sunday, to turn things around.  It’ll be close though.

Robin Hood v FC Pataya - the Hoodies will be looking to build on their recent good form and see off the boys from Pattaya.  FCP had a good result against the Japanese in their last outing so this may be closer than it looks on paper.  I’ll still go for the Hoodies to steal it though.

Siam Celtic get a well-deserved rest after a cracking opening to the season and Bangkok Storm, like the rain, we hope, take a week off.

[GE]

Week 5 Predictions v Actual
BST 3 – 1 SAM    1 – 3
BUN 3 – 1 FCP   2 - 2
SC   2 – 2 PL        4 – 1
[Verdict: Pundit career is on ice]