Recap
A couple of late injury withdrawals meant Comag Matamata Swifts arrived at top-four side Otorohanga with just twelve fit players, including two who had been drafted in from the Fez Kebab 3rd team. Despite this, Matamata battled to a second consecutive 2-2 draw.
The Swifts began the match strongly and traded goals with the hosts during the opening 20 minutes. Otorohanga went ahead early, but Ellis Breadmore levelled things up with his latest goal in what has been a fine recent goal scoring run. Matamata ploughed through the remainder of the half, in challenging conditions, and matched their better-performed opponents through much of the second period too.
Paul Weymouth, in his first start for the side, put in a stirring performance, while the defensive unit stood up to the pressure. The hosts broke through, though, inside the final quarter and looked set to sneak home with the points.
It seemed like a familiar ending, with the Swifts in the recent habit of losing points late, but this time they were able to reverse the trend. The team’s efforts were, finally, rewarded when Breadmore struck home with a minute remaining to help the Swifts secure a vital share of the points.
