Swifts 0-2 North Shore United

Recap

Comag Matamata Swifts’ best ever run in the ISPS Handa Chatham Cup, New Zealand Football’s national knock-out competition, came to an end on Saturday after a 2-0 defeat to six-time winner, North Shore United.

Despite their recent indifferent league form, the Swifts entered this match with confidence and created the first opening. But their spirits were dampened on the quarter hour when the visitors went ahead courtesy of an own goal.

Matamata carved out their best opening midway through the first half when Brad West forced a full stretch save from Shore’s keeper. The Swifts then had a massive shout for a penalty turned down when a hand ball went unspotted.

With the game in the balance, and only seconds after a Bjorn Vossen effort went narrowly wide, Shore broke to slot home their second goal only three minutes before the break.

Matamata saw lots of the ball during the second half, but Shore had resolved to sit in and take what they had, which would be enough to progress. The Swifts were perhaps guilty of over playing at times, but the visitors were well organised at the back and became extremely tough to break down.

The effort and attitude from the Swifts, after a difficult few weeks and against a good side, was pleasing and it was no shame to bow out at the final 32 stage.