Matamata Swifts 1-2 Melville United

Recap

Stanley Joinery Matamata Swifts were looking to bounce back after a painful defeat last week.

Key to this was a quick start and a greater level of intensity throughout the match. Unfortunately neither were really shown. Instead it was Melville who looked the hungrier of the sides and they had little difficulty in finding an early lead as a simple pass forward gave their striker a clear one-on-one. Though the initial shot was saved, the rebound cannoned back into the Melville player and rolled into the back of the Matamata net.

The Swifts didn’t look likely in the first half yet somehow found themselves level just before the break. Peter McCoskrie and Ben Watson combined well up front but it was an old friend ‘Own Goal’ who popped up to slot the ball home.

The lead, however, barely lasted for the length of the half time talks. Soon after the half Melville retook the lead. Matamata appeared to create 2 corridors for the Melville striker who was happy to run through them before finishing what would turn out to be the match winning goal.

Watson did come close to snatching a point for the Swifts as he broke down the left, but he was unlucky to see his shot, having beaten the keeper, catch the post flush and bounce back out.

With a double header next week (including a Chatham Cup match on Monday) there is plenty to work on at training.

Swifts XI: Jonathan Crook; Gary Dobson, Dwayne Signal, Paul Richardson, Sam Masterson; Brad West (Shaun Richardson 55m), Callum Barr, Scott Parsonage, Jamie Baxter, Ben Watson; Peter McCoskrie (Matias Antunes 60m). Sub (not used): Lawrence Clothier, Will Judson.

Click here for the match day programme.