PHUKET: A deflection off an opposition player into the net saved Phuket FC last night from slipping overboard, into the relegation zone.
The 1-1 scoreline offers Phuket a lifeline for now, with a large crowd of about 4000 turning out in Phuket City to watch the islanders struggle against another southern province, Phattalung FC.
For all that can be said about a match at Surakul Stadium in which the clubs lying twelth and thirteenth slugged it out, Phuket certainly is giving fans a relegation ride as full of ups and downs as the ferry trip to Phi Phi on a bad day.
At least the first half gave Phuket hope, with the 0-0 scoreline promising a sharp, attacking wrestle for the points.
At 47 minutes, though, Phattalung's Elvis Wike-John got one through the Phuket defences.
That seemed to energise Phuket's players, who threw everything they could at their southern rivals.
At 64 minutes, Phuket finally wobbled the equaliser when a free kick from Phuket's Watcharakorn Klatin clattered off a Phuket opposition player into the net.
The Rawai supporters' club cheered, as well they might. It was as if the ferry to Phi Phi had arrived after a very rough crossing.
The ups and downs are likely to keep coming though for Phuket. With seven games left to see out the season, Phuket must hang on grimly to avoid positions fourteen to eighteen and relegation to Division Two.
Phuket could use a win or two. However, several of those matches are against top-four contenders and beyond Phuket's realistic expectations.
Phuket's next away game on Sunday against Saraburi, the team lying tenth before the weekend's rounds, probably represents Phuket's best chance to move to an upper deck.
The 1-1 scoreline offers Phuket a lifeline for now, with a large crowd of about 4000 turning out in Phuket City to watch the islanders struggle against another southern province, Phattalung FC.
For all that can be said about a match at Surakul Stadium in which the clubs lying twelth and thirteenth slugged it out, Phuket certainly is giving fans a relegation ride as full of ups and downs as the ferry trip to Phi Phi on a bad day.
At least the first half gave Phuket hope, with the 0-0 scoreline promising a sharp, attacking wrestle for the points.
At 47 minutes, though, Phattalung's Elvis Wike-John got one through the Phuket defences.
That seemed to energise Phuket's players, who threw everything they could at their southern rivals.
At 64 minutes, Phuket finally wobbled the equaliser when a free kick from Phuket's Watcharakorn Klatin clattered off a Phuket opposition player into the net.
The Rawai supporters' club cheered, as well they might. It was as if the ferry to Phi Phi had arrived after a very rough crossing.
The ups and downs are likely to keep coming though for Phuket. With seven games left to see out the season, Phuket must hang on grimly to avoid positions fourteen to eighteen and relegation to Division Two.
Phuket could use a win or two. However, several of those matches are against top-four contenders and beyond Phuket's realistic expectations.
Phuket's next away game on Sunday against Saraburi, the team lying tenth before the weekend's rounds, probably represents Phuket's best chance to move to an upper deck.
