With more senior players seemingly injured than fit, it was another tough weekend for Matamata Swifts’ football teams. Comag Matamata Swifts shipped late goals again to come out on the wrong side of a 4-2 score line at Huntly Thistle, while Waharoa Transport Swifts Reserves and Fez Kebab Swifts 3rds also tasted defeat.
The Swifts began brightly at Huntly and Radge Avergonzado, with his fifth goal of the season, gave the visitors a deserved lead early on. Both sides plugged away throughout the first half – the Swifts in search of further goals and Huntly looking for an equaliser – and it was the hosts who scored right on half time to send the teams in all square at half time.
Huntly then found the lead ten minutes after the break as the game ebbed and flowed. With twenty minutes remaining, it was Matamata’s turn to equalise when substitute, Ben Johnson, struck for the visitors.
Heading into the final stages it was anyone’s match but, as has been the case of late, Matamata’s lack of depth was to prove fatal. Two late goals for the hosts meant Matamata ended another game in which they deserved something empty handed.
Waharoa Transport Swifts Reserves fell 2-0 at Claudelands Rovers, one of the leading sides in Waikato Division 1. Short of a full squad, the young reserves put in a solid performance against experienced opponents.
Fez Kebab Swifts 3rds played out and entertaining encounter against Cambridge, before being defeated 5-2. The 3rds led 2-1 at the break through goals from Adan Miller and Jason Li, but ran out of legs as the match wore on.
Challenge Matamata Ladies had a bye this week.
All three Swifts men’s teams are back home this coming weekend as the season continues, while the ladies head to Hamilton.