Most of Matamata Swifts sides battled through the weather on a challenging weekend.
Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts 2-1 Tauranga Boys College FC
WaiBOP Premiership
Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts have bagged another three points from a game played in almost constant rain, and have themselves well positioned in the leading group of teams with a third of the season gone.
On a day of upsets, the Swifts held their nerve against energetic opposition. Matamata opened the scoring just after the half hour mark, not long after Sam Masterson had hit the cross bar from distance. Lawrence Clothier zipped a cross in to the crowded box, which was turned into their own net as the Tauranga Boys’ defenders struggled to deal with its velocity.
Defender, Michael Dawson, doubled Matamata’s lead seven minutes into the second half. Up for a corner, he drilled home the rebound for his first strike of the season.
The conditions made playing decent football difficult and the Swifts were never completely in control. When the visitors pulled a goal back with seven minutes remaining it made for an uncomfortable final period, but the Swifts fought through both that and five minutes of added time to hold on for another precious three points. The Swifts sit in fifth and are on the fringes of the title race.
Matamata will look to build on this result when they travel to Rotorua next Saturday for a match that has the added bonus of being a Federation Challenge Shield challenge.
Melville United 1-3 Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies
Waikato Women’s Division B
Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies battled through one of their toughest tests of the season, overcoming stern opposition and wild conditions in Hamilton to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
The Swifts Ladies team is becoming a strong and cohesive unit and that proved vital against a willing Melville side and the wind at an exposed Gower Park. The ladies took a narrow one goal lead into the break then built on that with more good work after the break.
Gabby Raynel scored a screamer, her third goal since returning to the side, while Patrice Adamson slotted home from the penalty spot and Kerrie Cox netted her third of the season as well.
This was another brave effort from what is evolving into a good team. The blend of youth and experience has helped the side to five wins and a draw from their opening six games. The Ladies now have the long weekend off before looking forward to the visit of high-flying Hamilton Wanderers in a fortnight.
Richardson Racing Stables Swifts Reserves had a bye.
Swifts Juniors – Open Grade: Matamata Hornets 0-4 Western United; Hamilton North 6-2 Matamata Tigers; Morrinsville 2-3 Matamata Falcons. 11th Grade: Matamata Jets 13-1 Glenview United. 10th Grade: Matamata Dragons 0-0 Cambridge; Matamata Strikers 2-5 Pirongia. 9th Grade: Wanderers 2-5 Matamata Rebels (Rebels Goal scorers: Dylan Brown 2, Liam Costello-McVeigh 1, Timothy Baxendine 1, Jack Tims 1. Player of Day: Heath Richardson); Matamata Eagles 2-3 Tauwhare (Eagles Goal Scorers: Joshua Martin, Haydn Logie. Player of the Day: Kieran Lawson). 8th Grade: Matamata Magpies 7-4 Morrinsville.