Thai League 4 West. Samutsongkhram FC 1:1 Hua Hin City FC

Today was the return to League football for Samut Songkhram having suffered a bye last week. Last season they were playing in T2, but due to Club Licensing issues have been forced to take a double relegation, and are now playing in T4(West). On paper, our hosts were runaway favourites today, but we knew Coach Sebastien would have other thoughts.

There were a few changes to last week’s team due to what I can only assume to be squad rotation – keeping the players match fit has to be a big headache. Natchapon returned in goal after injury, big Dennis was in for Songkran. David and Arnon were strengthening the attack. This looked like a team wanting to take the game to today’s opponents.

Hua Hin had the best of the chances in the first half, with Maraba, David and Haritsadee proving to be a constant threat down the left. When the breakthrough came, Maraba placed a pin point accurate pass to David’s boot near the edge of the penalty area, and David didn’t have to be asked twice to blast the ball past the stranded Samut Songkhram shot stopper.

Maraba was very unlucky not to put the ball into the net twice himself in this half, but the keeper saved well both times. Big Dennis was very unlucky not to grab an opening goal early on as well.

The Samut Songkhram equaliser came from a free kick on the left, beautifully floated onto an unmarked player, who glanced a header into the top right corner. Hua Hin were unlucky to go into the break with honours even.

The 2nd half was a little different, and Samut Songkhram put a little more pressure on to the visitors, although having said that, Natchapon still had little to do. However, there was a scary moment when Natchapon was well beaten, and the ball rattled the underside of the crossbar, before bouncing out again. I am not a big fan of Thai referees, but this was a vital decision, which I believe he got right.

At the other end, Hua Hin had several opportunities to score, which on another day would have won the game for us. Alas, it was not to be. The opposing keeping was earning his money today.

We were very unlucky not to grab a freak winner, almost right on the final whistle. Maraba took a free kick on the left. He floated the ball into the penalty area, but too close to the keeper. The keeper grabbed the ball, but lost it again. The ball was travelling towards goal, when the keeper managed to save his blushes.

This is the second consecutive draw for Hua Hin, and the second time they were the better team. It’s only a matter of time before they win 3 points. Once they start winning, I think they will continue.

#2018 #T4 #Match