It was another away day for Bangkok Casuals League champions FC Planet as they traveled to Bangkok to face Bangkok FC in the early kick-off last weekend.
Planet were looking to build on their flying start to the season after winning their first three matches and scoring sixteen goals in doing so. Bangkok FC were also confident after the previous weekend’s victory against the Vikings to put them up to fourth spot in the table.
FC Planet line up before their league fixture against Bangkok FC, Saturday, November 1 in Bangkok.
The opening stages were scrappy to say the least with both sides not creating much and losing possession too cheaply. Midway through the first period Planet were awarded a penalty for a handball after a good attacking move by the champions; however Homer was to see his penalty saved and the score remained blank as Planet continued pushing to take the lead.
The deadlock was broken on thirty minutes as Planet’s man in the middle McKeown broke down the right flank and delivered the perfect pass for Maurice who finished hard and low to give Planet a slender lead. Although being 1-0 to the good, this wasn’t a pretty first half in roasting hot conditions with some tired legs on the pitch as Planet went into the break in front.
Manager Homer rolled the dice as Banks replaced Maurice and Gibbons was shuffled to his usual forward role for the second half. It paid off within ten minutes as Gibbons stayed onside to be slipped through by McKeown to beat the oncoming keeper and finish into an empty net to give Planet a bit of breathing space.
Although they were trailing by two goals, BFC knew they were still in the game as they began to get their foot on the ball and created a few half chances that were saved comfortably by keeper Steiner. A BFC goal was coming though and deservingly so as their frontman fired powerfully into the top corner to give them a lifeline. This rattled the champions who were looking unstable and frustrated.
The later stages turned into a dog fight as BFC were knocking on the door for an equaliser but Planet, who were grinding this one out, fought on to the finish to take all three points and maintain their 100% start to the campaign.
FC Planet take on Hanuman Boys in the Cup this coming weekend at Arsenal Soccer School in Bangkok in another 14:30 kick-off.
