Swifts 5-1 Papamoa

Recap

Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts 5-1 Papamoa
Loaded WaiBOP Premiership

Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts proved too powerful for mid-table Papamoa, winning  5-1 at the Domain on Saturday to stay second on the Loaded WaiBOP Premiership table.

The Swifts began brightly and hit the front after only seven minutes when Jordane Lambert drove the ball home after excellent work from Chris Walker.

Dwayne Signal had a seemingly good goal ruled out, while Papamoa’s keeper made two notable saves to keep Matamata’s lead to a single goal at the break.

The visitors had a player sent off for retaliation on the half hour mark and, while that didn’t immediately alter the flow of the game, it was to prove costly during the last 25 minutes.

Papamoa equalised eight minutes after the re-start when the Swifts failed to deal with a routine free kick. Their keeper pulled off another three superb saves during a frustrating period for Matamata, but the hosts persevered.

The Swifts re-took the lead with 23 minutes left. Andrew Clothier played in Raphael Berthelot who sprinted past a tiring defence and finished easily. Three minutes later Walker was rewarded for his excellent performance when he nodded home Matamata’s third.

It was left to substitute, Ben Vogt, on his first team debut, to apply the coup de gras, firing home twice in the final 15 minutes.

Matamata still trails leaders, Ngongotaha, by three points but have stretched their lead over the third placed side (now Cambridge) to four points.