UHT Vana Nava Hua Hin City FC 2015

[Big Boy]

Well, everybody was wrong . Geordie Dancer wins today's Orienteering badge .

Awarded to Geordie Dancer

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I think we MIGHT have got there eventually without him, but his navigation was spot on.

The football pitch was brand new, and I doubt it would feature on any Google Earth map. In fact, it was so new, the playing surface was more like a snooker table. A beautiful setting amongst the hills of Kaeng Krachan National Park.

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Chumchuri 0 - 0 UHT Vana Nava Hua Hin City

I'm not sure we can take too much away from this match. Most of this season's goals have come from Andre, Lucas and Anucha - none of whom were playing this afternoon. There were a few moments of inspiration, but I felt Chumchuri were probably the better side. Again Hua Hin did an awful lot of faffing about at the back, which gave Chumchuri an eternity to regroup before Hua Hin moved forward with the ball. One thing (having no forwards) meant that kick & rush was a non-starter .

We had a new forward on display today - No.20. Did nothing to impress me.

It will be very interesting in view of the twin's absence today to see which team is fielded on Saturday.

[Frank Hovis]

That looks like someone takes a lot of care to keep it green; perhaps it rains a little more in Kaeng Krachan than it does down our way, it looks quite green everywhere.

[Geordie Dancer]

Many thanks to BB and Mrs BB for the outing to the match today at ^Kaeng Krachan Stadium^. You certainly saved me from a good soaking on the way back had I had to go on my bike. The trip was certainly worth it if for nothing more than the beautiful setting as BB's photos show. The facility is owned by Chamchuri Utd who also own a resort hotel nearby and were using it for their training camp prior to the commencement of the second half of the seasons. This answers most of the questions which I think many people were asking themselves about why we were playing in the middle of nowhere. Hua Hin were the guests not the organisers of the game.

As for the game itself, a pretty ordinary spectacle. Hua Hin played without any proven strikers with Michael Byrne filling in upfront. Anucha of course is injured and the boys from Brazil were not in attendance. There were whispers that Lucas and Andre had ............................?????????????????????? well we will wait till Saturday to see what team we put out. There was a new face on view, a Japanese looking guy who played upfront but wide rather than striker. To be honest I agree with BB, he didn't pull up any trees but maybe too early to judge.

For me we are still short of at least two proven goal scorers and it showed again today. We play good football in 80% of the pitch but in the 20% that matters we need players who can stick the ball in the back of the net. I am sure the coach must recognise this and hope we sign at least two players to fill this gap in the near future. Roll on Saturday, that is when it really counts. Howay Hua Hin!

[Sabai Sabai]

There were whispers that Lucas and Andre had ............................??????????????????????

We're all friends here, what whispers? That they done what?

[Big Boy]

Video highlights of yesterday's match

[Big Boy]

Photos from yesterday's match

[Geordie Dancer]

Andre and Lucas back at training today, one or both were sick yesterday. Glad I was cautious with my comments yesterday. New player No. 20 (Choi) is Korean not Japanese. Another new player was at training today a thai midfielder (No. 34)

[Big Boy]

Re-assuring to see the twins back training today

Also good to see Anucha on the training pitch, although after what I saw yesterday, it'll be a couple of weeks before he can play.

[Edit] LOL, our posts crossed.

[bsdk1960]

Andre and Lucas back at training today, one or both were sick yesterday. Glad I was cautious with my comments yesterday. Nw player No. 20 (Cheoi) is Korean not Japanese. Another new player was at training today a thai midfielder (No. 34)

I just doesn't hope it 's him from Pechaburi,he was a real pain in the butt last time we played them away

[bsdk1960]

Was nearly falling asleep before the brilliant goal from Byrne with the ball been played around and around what we are really good at.Actully the best part before the goal was the ballboys who were good today.

Don't waste your time in front at the television ,you can go and see a thai football game for only 50 baht and the players are by miles better actors than you will see on the television and as a bonus the are fighting to.The referees are quite amusing to,today the linesman near us were looking what way the ref pointed his hand and then the linesman pointed his flag the same way

Our no. 28 should have change his boots he was really having a bad day,and Byrne did make the different when he came in so I eat my word from previos post.No. 2 was brilliant again but sometimes overdue his challenges a little

But a good start and 3 nice points so let us just beat Samut Sakhon next week and we are up were we belong.

Come on Hua Hin we cheer Hua Hin

[Geordie Dancer]

Don't need to say much about todays 2 - 0 win over Petchaburi other than good game, great result and sheer class from Michael Byrne. Brilliant footballer!

[Big Boy]

UHT Vana Nava Hua Hin City 2 - 0 Phetburi

I actually enjoyed today's game. Phetburi IMHO were a much stronger side than we played a few weeks ago. In fact until Byrne joined the fray, I felt Phetburi looked more likely to score. How lucky we were that one of last season's champions, Kitsana still can't hit a barn door from 6 yards - he should have scored Phetburi's opener, but hit the woodwork instead.

Having said Phetburi looked more likely to score, I don't think Annop actually had a shot to save. However, Shota has left a huge gap with his departure, and from what I saw today, his successor could be a worthy replacement. When called upon, he showed a safe pair of hands. Shota was a good servant to the club, and I wish him well, wherever he has gone.

Yes, the referee was a typical Thai Division 2 official ( ), and his linesmen were just as incapable. The 5th official had words with the referee on a couple of occasions.

I don't think I can single any one person out for having a bad match. I thought Athit and Jonata stood out for Hua Hin. Of course Pu is always superb. Michael Byrne, was on the bench until the 60th minute. He scored a beautifully taken goal within minutes of his arrival. He is quite clearly not the player he was, but his experience will probably be an asset as we push for a coveted Champions League place.

Andre sealed the game with a wonderful solo effort, running from the halfway line, and finishing with a beautiful lob over the keeper just minutes from the final whistle.

I will be surprised if Hua Hin drop many points if they drop any at all on the run in to the end of the season.

Next Saturday we are away to current league leaders, Samut Sakhon, which is a must win game for Hua Hin. Bring it on

[Big Boy]

Video highlights from today's match

[Geordie Dancer]

Michael Byrne, was on the bench until the 60th minute. He scored a beautifully taken goal within minutes of his arrival. He is quite clearly not the player he was, but his experience will probably be an asset as we push for a coveted Champions League place.

Really, I must have missed something because it was not clear to me. What makes you say that? Michael was absolutely superb today and head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch in terms of class and quality. I'd happily take another 10 Michael Byrnes'.

[Sabai Sabai]

It was quite an enjoyable game today, our pitch is still crap but at least the conditions were an improvement on the cup game last week. I still feel it causes us a problem at times though, we need to address this, and I don't mean laying a new pitch! Hopefully our new one at Takiab when we move will be an improvement but in the meantime we need to get used to it and adapt.

Up until Byrne's introduction we were lacking a bit creativity in the final 3rd, credit to Petchaburi as well though, as you say BB they did look an improved team from when we played them a few weeks back and they defended particularly well on occasion. As well as threatening at the other, we did ride our luck not to concede today.

How their player did not get sent off for a flying kick that Bruce Lee himself would have been proud of, completely baffled me! Right on the touchline in front of the linesman and 4th official as well. Big Dam was going mental, people were trying to stop him getting to the player!

Michael Byrne, was on the bench until the 60th minute. He scored a beautifully taken goal within minutes of his arrival. He is quite clearly not the player he was, but his experience will probably be an asset as we push for a coveted Champions League place.

What do you mean 'quite clearly not the player he was'?
I'll be honest I haven't followed his career closely prior to him signing up for us, so I'm not qualified to say if that is indeed true or not. However, from what I've seen so far, he is definitely far from past it yet.....if that's what you were inferring?

He was fantastic when he came on, I don't think it would be unfair to suggest he probably created more within 10-15 mins of coming on than the guy he replaced, Lucas, did in the 60mins+ prior to that..... Who IMO was our most creative player in the first half of the season.

I also feel Byrne may have something to say about:

Andre sealed the game with a wonderful solo effort, running from the halfway line, and finishing with a beautiful lob over the keeper just minutes from the final whistle.

Not disputing it was a lovely finish, he stuck it away nicely. However the pass from Byrne was sublime, perfectly weighted and really put it on a plate for him....
Exactly the type of service Andre thrives on, which until Byrne's introduction, was lacking today. Some people may call it 'kick and rush football' but I thought it was a lovely and effective piece of football.

I will be surprised if Hua Hin drop many points if they drop any at all on the run in to the end of the season.

I hope you're right, I don't feel we're quite the finished article yet, not based on today's performance anyway. I'm confident we'll get there though, and happy with the squad. I just hope it 'clicks' soon..... Next week would be nice!