Cambridge FC v Matamata Swifts

Recap

Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts were eventually worn down by runaway WaiBOP Premiership leaders, Cambridge, on Saturday, but not before frustrating the home side during a derby that had pretty much everything.

An early goal to the Swifts set things up nicely. Andrew Clothier caught the Cambridge keeper off his line with a fine shot from distance. Things should have got worse for the home side, but an ugly two footed lunge on Dwayne Signal just after the quarter hour was rewarded with a yellow card, when everyone present expected a red, and was the impetus for the home side to claw themselves back into the game.

The hosts went close to equalising twice before they found their goal five minutes before the break. The Swifts conceded penalty and Cambridge made no mistake from the spot.

Cambridge had the better opportunities in a competitive second half, but when ex-Swift Glen Carmichael missed his second gilt-edged opportunity of the game, which was swiftly followed by Jordan Wise making a fine save from Cambridge’s second penalty, it looked like Matamata might escape with a point.

But Carmichael had other ideas. He raced through with ten minutes remaining to calmly break Matamata’s hearts with a cool finish. The hosts scored their third two minutes into injury time with a fine strike from distance.

For the Swifts, centre halves Michael Dawson and Jackson Allen performed well, as did the lively Clothier and young midfielder Sam Masterson.