Pattaya City started life in the amateur football league division 2 with a fantastic come from the behind victory against Hanuman Boys in Bangkok last weekend. City, who had been relegated under the steady management of Andy Emery started the game brightly and dominated the early exchanges.
New boy Niklaus gave some much needed rhythm to the game with his fancy footwork and salsa skills. This was combined with the tough tackling of the strawberry blond assassin Josh Carr in the centre of midfield as City grabbed hold of the game. However, it was Hanuman who scored against the run of play when their striker Gino, who had the physical appearance of Jimmy Cranky, rose highest against the Pattaya City giants to give Hanuman a surprise lead.
Not to be deterred, City’s captain for the day, Chris “Megatron” Wilmott, struck back for the visitors, outmuscling the “Boys” defensive partnership to bravely head a deserved equalizer. City then began to dominate and couldn’t believe their luck when Liam found himself 5 yards out, however he somehow managed to blast wide.
The second half began in a similar pattern, with Pattaya making the running and Hanuman resorting to the counter attack. However, it was with one of these swift counters that Hanuman restored their lead. A long ball over the top allowed Xavi to fire past City’s hapless keeper.
With desperation and frustration starting to build in equal measure, City started to play direct football. Wilmott, who had refused to pass to fellow Scotsman Ross when Ross had an open goal, started to get equally desperate. He produced the best dive anyone has seen since Willem Dafoe in Platoon, which deceived nobody, even the referee.
Eventually though the pressure mounted as yet another Pattaya attack was thwarted with a Diego Maradona style handball. Ross Critchen stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty into the top corner.
With less than 10 minutes left City strove for the winner, and that came via a cross, unfortunately striking a Hanuman player for an own goal. With City in the lead for the first time in the game, there was no way that Hanuman were going to get back into it and Pattaya held on comfortably towards the end.
Coach Emery said, “We have signed some excellent players this year and I firmly believe we should be challenging for promotion. There were a few teething problems today. Our captain Tommy Rooney was missing and usually we can’t understand his team talks. However, with Megatron doing it today, everyone understood every word he said – and we couldn’t get used to the communication! However, we battled hard and showed excellent bravery and character to pull through.”
City next host Hooters on Saturday at Planet Football Stadium in Pattaya. Anyone interested in playing casual league football should visit the Pattaya City Facebook page.
Pattaya City would like to thank sponsors Pattaya Rent a Car, Retox Game On, Gecko Properties, Nova Group, Love Pattaya and KPK Foods.
