Swifts 1-2 Otumoetai

Recap

Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts 1-2 Otumoetai FC
Chatham Cup

The second part of Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts’ ANZAC Weekend double header was better than the first, but they were still on the wrong end of the scoreline, after losing a tense Chatham Cup match 2-1 at home to Otumoetai FC.

The Swifts made multiple changes after Saturday’s poor showing and looked better organised and more lively. Neither side created much during the first half, but Matamata went the closest to opening the scoring through Josh Oed and then Dwayne Signal.

A more open contest greeted the healthy crowd after the break, with opportunities at both ends. The visitors hit the crossbar, before Matamata replied in kind after a superb close range block from the visiting keeper.

Otumoetai went ahead with thirteen minutes remaining when a routine long ball wasn’t dealt with, then they doubled their lead five minutes later. The Swifts hit back instantly to make it 2-1 but, despite a late attempted onslaught, couldn’t find the equaliser which would have pushed the match into extra time.

So a disappointing ANZAC Weekend ended with two defeats, but plenty of players exposed to first team football. The trick now will be to get immediately back to winning ways when their WaiBOP Premiership campaign resumes on Saturday.