Bangkok Casuals League Div. 1 & 2
Pattaya City played the French Club Les Gaulois at the Thai Polo Club last weekend and took an early lead in the third minute when centre forward Oleg Vorontsov slotted the ball home after some clever interplay with Tshuma and Dipta.
The French fought back and kept the City defense busy but they could not manage a shot on target, with their forwards continually misfiring.
City kept to their game plan and eventually broke through again when under extreme pressure a French defender misdirected his pass straight to the waiting and unmarked City forward, who converted to make it 2-0, which remained the score at half time.
After the break the lively French outfit put City’s goal under more pressure, and despite the home team defending well they eventually conceded after some slack covering for once allowed Les Gaulois to get back into the game at 2-1.
City tried to reassert their authority once again and the livewire Vorontsov kept the French on their toes, but Les Gaulois continued to attack and threatened to overpower the City defense, however they were let down by poor finishing once more.
Their profligacy in front of goal would come back to haunt them as at the other end of the field Vorontsov broke through the French defense, only to be brought down in the penalty area. The City forward dusted himself down and scored with ease, sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 3-1.
The French, who had control of the half, let their frustrations get the better of them and had two players sent off for violent conduct and the game ended with City running out 3-1 winners.
City Res continue their fine run
Pattaya City Res played league leaders Titans at the Thai Polo Club and the last time these two teams met, City lost 9-1. The home side were out for revenge and took the game to the league leaders, making an early breakthrough when centre forward Phowan ran through the Titans defense, dribbled round the keeper and slotted the ball home to give City Res the lead.
This shook the Titans but City were in determined mood and the centre backs duo of Bowden and Glen Wilkins were magnificent in organizing the defense for the home team. The Titans attacks came in wave after wave but the City defense held firm until half time with the score still 1-0.
The second half continued in much the same vein with City battling manfully to maintain their advantage and midfield dynamo Wutthiphittayapacom covering every blade of grass and tackling here and there. Eventually, with the clock ticking down, the away team’s frustrations boiled over and a melee broke out in the middle of the pitch. After the referee had sorted it all out and play restarted the Titans managed to break through but two good saves by the City keeper kept them from scoring. However, with only two minutes to go, tired legs on the City defenders allowed the Titans forward to brush his way through once more and score the equalizer to make the final score 1-1.
This was by far the best performance by Pattaya City Res this season and just shows what they can do when they want to make the effort. This match is only part one as both teams face each other again next weekend in a re-arranged fixture at the same time, same place.
