MBMG International League Div. 1 & 2
History was made last week at Horseshoe Point when Pattaya City played the league’s first match under floodlights in a rearranged Division 1 fixture against Bangkok United.
City seemed to enjoy the later kick-off and attacked from the whistle with Mark Brittain forcing the United keeper into a great save early on. Soon after, Tshhuma’s header thundered against the visitors’ cross bar and City continued to pile on the pressure but somehow Bangkok United were able to clear their lines every time a goal seemed imminent.
The relentless pressure by City eventually brought them a goal by Brittain, who received a perfect cross from Dipita before prodding the ball home to make it 1-0. With the breakthrough achieved, the home team would go on to double their advantage soon after when a through ball by Fernando went straight to City’s Matveev who stuck it home to make it 2-0.
City were forced into a rearguard action for a brief period as United tried to get a foothold back in the game but their defence held firm and they caught the visitors out on the break with a swift move that saw Brittain’s cross find Matveev who made no mistake to score City’s third goal.
Half time came with the home team in a seemingly unassailable position at 3-0 to the good.
After the break Bangkok United were determined to get back into the game and forced City keeper Ananthakul into making two splendid saves. However, it was City who were to score again next when a quick free-kick found Matveev in space and he secured his hat-trick with a fine finish.
Worse was to follow for the visitors when then had a man sent off soon after and the floodgates really opened. Leading City scorer Ndjanna shot home when picking up a loose ball to make it 5-0 and then City went further ahead with Brittain scoring a quick-fire brace to secure his own hat-trick and make the score 7-0.
The City players were just lining up to at this stage and Ndjanna, Matveen and the impressive Brittain all obliged to make the final result 10-0 to the Pattaya team.
This was City’s most complete performance of the season so far and everybody played very well. Some credit must be given to Bangkok United however, who continued to try and play football despite being a man down and on the wrong end of a drubbing.
Pattaya City Reserves hammer BSL
Pattaya City Reserves played BSL Masters at Mabprachan Lake, Pong, which is the biggest pitch in the league and fielded seven teenagers in their line-up.
They were soon ahead in the match when Brown fed Supachai, who ran the length of the pitch to shoot past a bemused keeper to make it 1-0. BSL hit back but the City keeper was sound and collected the shots with confidence.
Supachai wasted a great chance as his shot was saved by the BSL keeper’s legs, however the same player made amends moments later when he set up Nakornmuang who made no mistake to make it 2-0. Both players then missed easy chances but with attacks raining down on the BSL goal Lvelan made it 3-0 with a shot from an acute angle.
In the second half City attacked straight from the restart and Narain’s strong shot crashed into the roof of the BSL net after a great build up involving six players to make it 4-0 to City.
BSL’S keeper was kept busy when he had to tip over a shot from Nitichai and then Brown hit a post. Chances were missed by the young City forwards and this allowed BSL a footing back in the match, but their clear scoring chances were few.
Narong then made a dazzling run for City and his shot hammered into the BSL net to make the score 5-0. BSL finally got on the score-sheet when the Pattaya defence made a hash of clearing the ball and a BSL player stole through to grab a consolation goal. However City were not yet finished with their own scoring and Supachai soon notched City’s 6th goal and completed his own hat-trick in the process to make the final score 6-1.
Pattaya City Reserves are an improving side and here they played their best game to date. If they can keep improving then they could become a force after the Christmas break.
This weekend sees some League Cup games being played and neither Pattaya City nor Pattaya City Reserves will have a fixture.
