A couple of Domain derby matches against Tokoroa were the highlight of the local footballing weekend just gone. Challenge Matamata Swifts ladies won their match by the odd goal in seven, but Waharoa Transport Swifts Reserves fell to defeat by their game’s only goal.
With the weekend’s scheduled Soccer Shop WaiBOP Premiership match for Comag Matamata Swifts’ deferred, the home interest centred largely around the double derby visit by Tokoroa. Saturday’s Soccer Shop WaiBOP Championship match was a tight affair, with a second half header giving the visitors their 1-0 victory.
Matamata wasn’t without their chances, although the visitors shaded things in terms of clear cut opportunities. Tokoroa fired over from close range, then hit the woodwork before they got their goal, but Matamata had several good chances, including a long range Finn Challis effort that was tipped over the cross bar.
Callum Newell, in his home debut, was solid in goal, while Anton Ganas, at just fifteen years of age, looked assured through the middle of the park.
On Sunday, the Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies eventually put away their dogged Tokoroa opponents, with Shania Stewart’s late goal securing a 4-3 victory that preserved the team’s 100% record.
Matamata wasn’t short of gilt-edged goal scoring opportunities and should have had the game put away by midway through the first half. They’d already missed a glorious chance before Maggie Leaver opened the scoring, but Tokoroa hit straight back, then scored again to go in front. Patrice Morrison calmly restored parity before the teams headed into the break.
Several great second half chances came and went before Kerrie Cox deservedly pushed Matamata ahead, but the visitors hit back once more thanks to a neat finish following a quick counter-attack. Stewart’s goal gave the game the most realistic outcome. Assist machine, Mary Ontiveros, was at the heart of all that was good about this Matamata performance, while April Donnelly helped keep Tokoroa largely in check as an attacking force.
The Camel Kebab Swifts 3rds returned from their second consecutive away game with their second consecutive defeat. A tightly contested first half at West Hamilton, during which Matamata could well have scored, turned into a nightmare second half as the hosts hit three goals without reply to win 3-0.