Only one senior team was in competitive action last weekend and it ended up being a familiar away afternoon for the Swifts.
Tauranga Boys College FC 1-0 Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts
WaiBOP Premiership
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.
Richardson Racing Stable Swifts Reserves had a bye in the WaiBOP Championship, so played a friendly at Morrinsville instead, winning 3-2. Brad West, Shaun Richardson and Reuben Wigelsworth scored the goals. Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies had no game scheduled over the weekend.
Juniors
Open Grade: Matamata Hornets 0-0 Fairfield; Matamata Tigers 3-2 Western United; Matamata Falcons 0-1 Wanderers (Falcons’ Player of the Day: Liam Shelley).
11th Grade: Ngaruawahia 0-8 Matamata Jets.
10th Grade: Claudelands 3-1 Matamata Dragons; Western United 4-0 Matamata Strikers.
9th Grade: Wanderers 3-3 Matamata Rebels (Rebels’ scorers: Dylan Brown 2, Jack Tims. POD: Liam Costello-McVeigh); Matamata Eagles 0-2 Tauwhare (Eagles POD’s: Molly Hills & Kieran Lawson).
8th Grade: Tauwhare 9-0 Matamata Magpies (Magpies PODs: Treesh Sharma, Caley Van de Veen, Penny Lang).