Recap
The Swifts fell 3-1 to title contenders Taupo as they failed to match the visitors during a stormy second half. Little of note happened during the bulk of the first period before the two sides traded goals in the lead up to half time. A prone Hardeep Singh received a decent kicking which led to a penalty for Matamata, comfortably converted by Jamie Baxter. Within a minute, however, Taupo was level as Matamata was caught napping at the back.
Taupo found themselves in front not long after half time after benefitting from the Swifts’ failure to clear a corner, then extended their lead after a swift counter and superb finish.
As much as both sides contributed to the game, Matamata’s players will be upset with the amount of possession they gifted to the visitors. In what was an eminently winnable match they allowed Taupo to leave with what was ultimately a fairly comfortable victory.
Some overly creative officiating led to both sides ending with ten players thanks to a couple of sending offs, after much worse had been allowed to pass earlier.
