PTT 2-3 Prachinburi
Chonburi Sports College
5th July, 2009
I’ve visited the Chonburi Sports College Ground on many occasions – the most recent being for a pre season clash between Chonburi and Bodoglimst of Norway - and have always been impressed with the set up. Therefore, I was delighted to see that they are currently in the middle of a rebuilding programme. Three sides of the ground now has terracing and the fourth will be completed soon; whether or not this means that PTT will make this their permanent home remains to be seen. I’ve already seen the stadium used as a home base for four different clubs (a large Chang to anyone who can name all four) so it would be nice for them to have long term tenants.
The match itself was a thoroughly entertaining game played in a Cumbrian style drizzle – it took me right back to my days on the terraces of Parkside Road, home of Netherfield FC (now Kendal Town). Twice the home team came from behind but it would have been a great injustice if they’d got anything out of this game. The visitors were by far the better side, enjoying the bulk of possession and creating the better chances, much to the delight of their impressively large band of noisy fans.
The first half was pretty even but it ended with the away team deservedly going in 2-1 up, courtesy of a well struck free kick and a glaring error by the goalkeeper. Sandwiched in between was a superb headed goal by the impressive PTT centre half.
Prachinburi came out for the second period looking to increase their lead. They had obviously been instructed to shoot on sight and the shots rained in. The number 2 in particular looked threatening every time he took aim. The home keeper atoned for his earlier mistake by producing a string of fine saves to keep the deficit to one.
During a rare foray into opposition territory, PTT were awarded a free kick. The ball was swung across to the far post, where it was met by the centre half. This time he headed across the face of the goal and his team mate had the simple task of nodding home. 2-2.
It didn’t take Prachinburi long to restore their lead. The PTT defence failed to react quickly enough to a left wing free kick and the number 23 (who scored the first goal) nipped in at the near post to glance his header past the keeper.
In the time remaining, the away team had a few chances to add to their goals tally but when the final whistle blew the away support seemed more than happy to celebrate a well deserved 3-2 victory.
This was a very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday evening. And, thankfully, the rain had stopped so I was able to ride home without getting wet.
No comments:
Post a Comment