Matamata Swifts 4-4 Waikato Unicol

Recap

Matamata Swifts and Waikato Unicol shared eight goals at the Matamata Domain, but couldn’t be separated in a match that had just about everything.

Andrew Clothier opened the scoring for Matamata after five minutes, swivelling to volley home after good lead up work from Callum Barr. The Swifts looked comfortable going forward but stretched in defence as, too often, defenders elected to dwell on the ball and turn into trouble. A far more pragmatic approach was required in a game like this.

Unicol hit back through a fortunate penalty, when one of their attackers appeared to stand on Will Judson’s hand and fall over a good few seconds after the ball had been cleared. Jordan Wise, on debut in goal for an injured Jono Crook, was sent the wrong way and Unicol was level. Worse was to come right on half time, as a Unicol attacker was allowed a free header, aided by a foul or two in the process, and nodded home to give the visitors a 2-1 half time lead.

After a settling in period at the start of the second half, the teams traded five goals during a 15 minute period from the hour mark. Ben Watson, back in the squad after a month away and on as a second half substitute was sent through and finished nicely to make it 2-2. Almost immediately Unicol was back in front when a shot was drilled home from a tight angle.

Back came the Swifts. Gary Dobson got the final touch following a mad scramble in the Unicol box. 3-3. Unicol were allowed to go ahead again in what was the most annoying goal of the game. With Jamie Baxter lying prone on the ground the play was allowed to continue and ended when a Unicol attacker in an off-side position poked the ball home from three yards. The expected flag was never raised.

Thankfully Baxter was able to tie things up again when he drilled home a free kick from out wide.

When the dust had settled the score was 4-4 and, with things getting a little out of hand, about the same amount of players in the referee’s notebook. The final 15 minutes were as frantic as the first 75 but neither side could find a winner. The Swifts hunt for their first victory continues.

Click here for the match day programme.