Swifts 3-4 Te Awamutu

Recap

Comag Matamata Swifts had their recent good run of form snapped after losing 4-3 at home to Te Awamutu on Saturday.

The first half was an open and eventful affair as the teams traded goals and chances throughout. The visitors went ahead early when they went direct, creating the sort of defensive problems the Swifts have battled against for more than a season. Te Awamutu should have doubled their lead inside the first quarter hour, but a hotly contested penalty call was well saved by young keeper, Patrick Steele.

Matamata drew level soon after when centre-half, Mike Dawson, swept the ball home following a corner.

Te Awamutu’s style of play continued to bring reward. They found themselves two goals to the good around the half hour mark following a neat header and a goal from their second penalty of the half.

The Swifts halved the deficit leading into the break after they were awarded a dubious penalty of their own. Jamie Baxter converted with ease.

The second half of the match was unrecognisable as the visitors determined to stick with what they had. They played a form of forceback, which gave the Swifts most of the ball but also kept the home team comfortably at arm’s length.

Missing the creative influence of Sam Masterson and the pace of Chris Walker, Matamata struggled to pick the lock. But they finally had the equaliser less than ten minutes from the end when Dayne Willemsen broke through and crossed for Brad West to slot home.

The twist in the tail, however, came late when the visitors went back to what had worked so well earlier. Their late winner gave them full reward following a first half effort that should have left them with more.

For Matamata, the concern will be their continued struggles to defend the long balls and teams that counter with intent.