Recap
Comag Matamata Swifts have opened their 2018 account following a tense 1-0 home win over Waikato Unicol on Saturday.
Brad West’s neat 70th minute finish ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides in a match that could have seen more goals at both ends. The Swifts were much improved on their opening two showings and could have been in front as early as the first minute. Both sides hit the woodwork during a goalless first half played at a good tempo.
The visitors were always a threat going forward and created several good opportunities after the break, their strongest spell of the game. Once West had put the Swifts in front Unicol, by necessity, became more desperate which, in turn, left them more open and should have led to further Swifts goals. Matamata came closest to grabbing the game’s second goal when Sean Kipping rattled the cross bar late on.
Matamata put in a solid defensive shift, with the clean sheet great reward for goalie Matt Aberhart and his defence. Further forward, Matamata moved the ball well.
