Matamata Swifts v Katikati

Recap

Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts were held to their fourth draw of the season by a spirited Katikati side who arrived at the Domain prepared to compete.

It took the Swifts until the 72nd minute before they found the first goal, when Andrew Clothier fired home from just inside the box, but the visitors were level soon after when they scrambled home from a corner that should have been cleared.

This led to a nervous final quarter hour for Matamata in which Katikati, who until their equaliser had barely threatened Jordan Wise’s goal, hit the cross bar and blazed wide as they went in search of an unlikely victory.

The Swifts had much the better of the possession stats for the bulk of the match, but were held at arm’s length by a Katikati side determined to take something back across the Kaimais with them. Once again, the lack of a true cutting edge proved costly for Matamata as they struggled for clear-cut openings in the attacking third.

Goal scorer Clothier was lively while Dwayne Signal, on his return to the side after an injury enforced layoff, looked the standout player on the field.