Swifts 2-3 Huntly Thistle

Recap

Comag Matamata Swifts’ match against Huntly began well, but ultimately ended in a frustrating and unnecessary 3-2 defeat. The Swifts should have been two up before Jamie Baxter netted from the penalty inside ten minutes.

Another penalty soon after, was spurned, but Matamata’s relentless attacking and the visitors’ reckless defending should have led to the award of two further spot kicks. Two further gilt edged opportunities were also spurned.

Right on half time, Huntly levelled the scores with a superb long range goal, then hit the upright almost instantly. Two minutes into the second half, however, the visitors did take the lead, although this time the goal was not so superb, especially from a Swifts defending point of view.

Huntly were much better during the second half but, after Adam Harris volleyed home from a free kick to get Matamata level, the home side should have gone on to take all three points. Indeed, the Swifts hit the woodwork and sent three over the top during the final quarter.

Of course, that left Huntly with the chance to find a winner, which they did in added time. In many ways the goal summed up, in microcosm, the match from a Matamata perspective.