Old Blues 3-2 Swifts

Recap

Old Blues 3-2 Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts
Loaded WaiBOP Premiership

Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts failed to recover from a horror opening fifteen minutes, falling to a 3-2 defeat at traditional bogey team Old Blues in Tauranga.

The Swifts failed to deal with the blustery conditions and some impressive early direct football from the opponents. Their improving defensive unit uncharacteristically leaked three goals inside the first quarter hour in what was a far from ideal start.

But Matamata improved as the game went on, and when Chris Walker scored his third goal in four games just after the half hour his team had a foothold in the match. The Swifts continued to mount the pressure and carved out openings they failed to take.

It was the same story after the break, but Matamata left it too late to score their second. Walker popped up again with four minutes left in what was the only further scoring of the match. Although Matamata left themselves in a huge hole after the opening period, they responded well and would have been disappointed not to have at least grabbed a point.

Leaders Ngongotaha won again, meaning Matamata is now six points off top spot in the Loaded WaiBOP Premiership but still sit in second.