The Swifts men’s and women’s first teams both had cup-infused matches this weekend, while there were big wins for some of our junior team.
Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts 2-4 Waiuku AFC
ASB Chatham Cup
Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts put in a competitive showing against higher ranked Waiuku AFC, but were undone by their opponents’ greater intensity at key moments in an attractive, open game of football played at the Domain.
The visitors play in a league two levels higher than the Swifts, so the locals knew they’d be in for a tough afternoon. But Matamata started brightly and didn’t look out of place. Indeed, the Swifts should have been given the opportunity to go ahead in the 18th minute when Ronan Costello appeared to be shoved over in the box, but no whistle was forthcoming.
Waiuku hit back with two goals in six minutes not long after, when a couple of swift attacks were neatly and expertly finished off. Jamie Baxter hit the cross bar from a corner ten minutes before the break, before the visitors stretched their lead in sight of half time from a free kick. The unseasonably bright afternoon did for Swifts keeper, Jordan Wise, when the free kick was slung in from deep, but Wise was blinded by the sun blazing directly down the Domain, and so didn’t even see the ball bounce harmlessly in.
The tone of the second half was set a little over five minutes after the break when Ronan Costello had a header well saved. Gary Dobson headed a free kick onto the cross bar before, with a little over 20 minutes left, Waiuku was awarded a penalty, which was calmly dispatched.
But the Swifts weren’t done. Costello pulled a goal back with 13 minutes remaining, then scored again two minutes later to send a couple of nervous shivers down the visitor’s spines. Substitute, Logan Allen was denied by a superb save, before the Swifts had a shot headed off the line. Gary Dobson drove wide from the resulting corner.
Matamata ended the match with their first defeat since March, but the young team will have taken a lot from the experience of playing a side like Waiuku.
Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies 5-0 Cambridge
Waikato Ladies B & Carter Memorial Challenge Cup
Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies made no race of their first defence of the new Carter Family Memorial Challenge Cup with a confident and dominating victory over neighbours, Cambridge.
Two youngsters were amongst the goals, with Gaby Raynel grabbing a double and Braxton Hikaiti drilling home during the second half. Krystal Morrison also got on the score sheet while Patrice Adamson bent one in straight from a corner on the stroke of half time.
In truth, the score line was a good reflection of the match with Matamata keeper, Ana Paterson, rarely tested as the ten players in front of her put in a solid shift for the team’s largest win of the season.
Not only did the ladies hold on to the Carter Memorial Challenge Cup, but their victory helped maintain their excellent start to their Waikato Women’s Division B campaign. They are now unbeaten in four matches and are well in the hunt for the title.
Richardson Racing Stable Swifts Reserves had no game this weekend.
Swifts Juniors – Open Grade: Matamata Hornets 7-0 Cambridge (Hornets goal scorers: Tyler Tapper 3, Braedyn Henderson, Cameron Wright, Harry Conner, Sam Hills. Hornets POD: Adam Harris); Matamata Tigers 4-9 Western United: Matamata Falcons 14-0 Fairfield. 11th Grade: Cambridge 0-14 Matamata Jets (Jets goal scorers: Anton Ganas 5, Harry Chittick 4, Jonny Swap 2, Chris 1, Edward James 1, OG 1. POD: Tyler O’Brien & Anton Ganas). 10th Grade: Matamata Dragons 3-1 Hamilton Marist; Matamata Strikers 1-6 Hamilton Marist (Strikers goal scorer: Eva Wellington). 9th Grade: Matamata Rebels 1-4 Hillcrest (Rebels goal scorer: Liam Costello-McVeigh. Rebels POD: Jay Benefield); Hamilton North 3-1 Matamata Eagles (Eagles goal scorer: Joshua Martin. Eagles POD: Jamie Scott). 8th Grade: Matamata Magpies 2-5 HRFC.