Pattaya United suffered their first reversal on the new Thai Premier League campaign last Sunday when they were on the receiving end of a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Chainat FC at the Nongprue Stadium.
United created most of the best chances in a scrappy first half, with Paul Ekollo guilty of missing the best opportunity to break the deadlock for the Dolphins when he was unable to connect with the ball as it flashed across the Chainat goal.
Pattaya United’s Ittipol Poolsap is tackled by Chainat defenders during their Thai Premier League fixture at the Nongprue Stadium in Pattaya, Sunday, April 8. (Photo/Ariyawat Nuamsawat/Pattaya United)
The miss would attain more significance when the visitors took a surprise lead just before half time; Puwadon Suwannachart taking advantage of some slack marking in the United defence to latch onto a right wing cross and head the ball past Narit.
United thought they had got back on level terms almost immediately in the final minutes of first half injury time but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside.
United piled on the pressure in the second half but were thwarted by a string of fine saves from Chainat keeper Buathong and as the rain came down at the Nongprue Stadium it was Suwannachart who broke away in the final minutes for the visitors to slide the ball past the advancing Narit and secure all three points for his team.
Elsewhere last weekend Chonburi FC secured a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Esan United to leapfrog Pattaya United in the league standings on goal difference.
Following a break for Songkran, Pattaya United will return to action on April 22 with an away fixture at TOT SC followed by a home match on April 29 against Esan United.
Thai Premier League Standings April 8
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| Burirum United | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 12 |
| SCG Muangthong United | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 11 |
| Osotspa M150 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Bangkok Glass FC | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| BEC Tero Sasana | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| Chonburi FC | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Pattaya United | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Army United | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Chainat FC | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Wuachon Utd | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 5 |
| Chiangrai United | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -2 | 5 |
| Samutsongkham FC | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -3 | 5 |
| BBCU FC | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 4 |
| Insee Police United | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -4 | 4 |
| TTM | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| Esan United | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -6 | 3 |
| TOT SC | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -4 | 2 |
| Thai Port FC | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -10 | 1 |
| Results: Chiangrai United 1 – 1 Thai Port FC; Bangkok Glass FC 2 – 0 Insee Police United; Chonburi FC 5 – 1 Esan United; TTM 0 – 1 BEC Tero Sasana; Pattaya United 0 – 2 Chainat FC; SCG Muangthong United 2 – 1 TOT SC; Army United 1 – 3 Osotspa M150 Saraburi; Samutsongkham FC 0 – 3 Burirum United. | ||||||
