The script was written – BTU would win this match to gain almost certain entry into the Champions League. Would Hua Hin be able upset the party?
The pre-match Hua Hin casualty list did not make good reading, but we have a capable squad, and should be able to do a job. There was a wealth of footballing talent sat watching the game from behind me in the grandstand, while we didn’t have enough fit players to fill the substitute’s bench. The match would feature 4 u.19 players, but as I’ve said several times this season, that is not an excuse, we have a strong squad, and no ‘bad’ players.
It was clear from the outset that BTU had a very competent attack. They were very fast, and hunted in packs. They always seemed to have an extra man in space. It was a credit to Songkran and Ali M that they were able to contain the offence so well for so long.
At the other end, the BTU keeper is a man I’ve admired for a couple of seasons. I still remember the first time I saw him – he made our own brick outhouse of a player, Samuel Lamptey look quite small. As well as being big, he is very agile. He was at the top of his game, and believe it or not (not reflected by the scoreline) he kept BTU in the game with some marvellous saves.
With such a fast, well drilled attack, BTU were always going to look the better side, but Hua Hin dug in, and gave as good as they got for most of the first half. We came out in the second half, and really took the game to BTU. Hua Hin were sometimes fortunate that the BTU attack seemed more intent on cheating a penalty award out of the ref rather than take a strike at goal. A very strange tactic, but it was exactly the same when we met 10 weeks ago. I do wonder what level of success such a tactic has brought them. Unfortunately, as well as some very dramatic diving, Natchapon, who also had a good game, was beaten by 4 very good strikes.
Hua Hin were by no means disgraced. On another day, they’d have grabbed a bucketful of goals also. Amos was clear through on a couple of occasions, but his usual clinical finishing was thwarted by the BTU keeper. Dorian also had a couple of beautiful strikes on goal, which would normally have beaten most keepers, but this guy was really superb. I was quite shocked when Thirawat actually beat the keeper to score Hua Hin’s consolation. The BTU Admin must have been just as shocked, because it was only after protest from the Hua Hin support that saw the score registered on the scoreboard.
I think, having weighed everything up, Hua Hin were beaten by the slightly better side, but the 3 goal differential flatters BTU.
Next week sees us away to the only team that can upset the BTU party. We play Assumption, and are hoping for a good Hua Hin turn out to say thank you for a season of mixed performances and results, where there have been a lot of highs and lows, but the key thing is we definitely have the building blocks to make a serious challenge on promotion next season.
