Played at the 4,000-seat Saphan Hin Gymnasium, the match was attended by nearly 2,000 energised supporters.
Coming into the match, Ayuthaya City – having acquired league competition rights this year from now-defunct Samut Songkhram – were sitting in 5th place with two wins and a draw.
In 8th place, morale-sapped Phuket were coming off the back of a devastating 9-0 trouncing away last week to AFC Futsal Champions Chonburi Blue Wave.
And it looked like Phuket were still in a rut from last Sunday’s defeat when Ayuthaya opened the scoring early on with back-to-back goals.
Drawing first blood was Phisit Rotsamrit scoring on a set play. Ayuthaya’s lead doubled only moments later when Suphot Makrak beat his marker on a quick counter-attack, sliding feet forward into the net with the ball to convert a beautiful delivery from winger Kittipong Saengkaew.
Phisit looked to elevate his side further ahead when he struck the cross bar twice within three seconds, however that would prove to be the end of Ayuthaya’s glory and it was all Phuket from that point on.
Bringing the Andaman Pearl back into contention with a lovely strike about five minutes before the half time whistle was Brazilian stalwart Jackson Santos, whose comrade Edson “Gugu” Silva found the equaliser just before the break to ignite the crowd.
The half time show featured a dazzling b-boy crew showcasing classic foot, hand and head work to wow those inside the stadium.
From the outset of the second half it was clear that the home team were the more determined side, as Ayuthaya’s defence rapidly broke down, with two of their defenders sent off with deserved red cards.
First, Panya Buakham was ejected for holding Gugu from behind, stopping the Brazilian pivot on a breakaway towards goal; then later their keeper Saksi Sogunthida was sent off for a flagrant sliding tackle that saw Gugu limping off the pitch for the night.
The cheering got louder as Phuket sated the fans with more goals, starting with Santos’ second, a beautiful strike from the top of the box.
Next of the goal-fest was a fantastic joint effort from Gugu, Kittipong Sonsuwan and team captain Nattapong Buachai that put Phuket up 4-2 – rapid counter attacks set the pace for the remainder of the match, with Thanakorn Penpakul penetrating Ayuthaya’s final line to put the Pearl up 5-2.
The blink of an eye later and solid mid-pitch defence from Santos saw him steal the ball and drive straight on to goal to score his hat-trick, and secure a four goal advantage for Phuket, now up 6-2.
The goal was Santos’ fifth in four games, putting him in joint-third for the golden boot race, which is currently led by Khon Kaen’s Sorasak Poonjamreet with seven goals.
Driving the nail in Ayuthaya’s coffin, Phuket would drive home two more goals, through Thanakorn Piaprichayut and Thanakorn Penpakul’s second of the evening.
Now with nine points and a goal difference of two, Phuket United jumped up to 5th place of the 16-team league, while Ayuthaya dropped to 7th place with 7 points.
The Pearl now hit the road, taking on 8th place Samut Sakhon on Wednesday with a 4pm kickoff.