Tauranga Boys College v Matamata Swifts

Recap

Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts have fallen to another away defeat, this time by the narrowest of margins and courtesy of a penalty.

In fact, in a match almost completely bereft of anything resembling clear cut goal scoring opportunities, it seemed the only way either side would score was from the spot. The hosts were handed their chance just after 20 minutes in the first half, when one of their attackers was tripped in the box. They converted comfortably for what would be the game’s only goal.

The Swifts had slightly the better of the opening exchanges but the closest they came to scoring was when the home keeper saved bravely at the feet of Scott Parsonage. Matamata was forced into an early reshuffle when centre-half, Michael Dawson was forced off with an ankle injury, but only had several chances from range during the first 45 minutes. Jordan Wise in the Swifts goal had to be sharp on one occasion when the hosts broke dangerously down the left but, in truth, neither side looked likely to trouble the scorers from open play.

After the break Matamata forced a number of corners and several attacking free kicks but never really came close to grabbing an equaliser until less than 15 minutes from the end. Matamata was awarded what looked like a penalty of their own, only to see the officials mistakenly rule the foul had taken place centimetres outside the box. Jamie Baxter tested the keeper with a wicked free kick but the Swifts were rightfully left feeling rather aggrieved.

Matamata mounted a stirring finish as they hunted the equaliser and Lawrence Clothier came closest to nabbing it when he burst through and lobbed the keeper only to see his goal bound effort cleared off the line. A minute later, and with two minutes of regulation time left, the final whistle went, which cut the attempted comeback short and pretty much summed up Matamata’s afternoon.