Matamata Swifts’ senior football teams have completed an unbeaten weekend, with the Swifts and reserves drawing their matches on Saturday and the Ladies hammering Otorohanga on Sunday.
Comag Matamata Swifts returned from Taupo following a 1-1 draw more disappointed than pleased, which is a great sign for the future of this team.
The Swifts finished much the stronger of the two teams, having gone behind during the first half but drawing level midway through the second period. Matamata is still a developing team, but held their own during and even first half against a side that had begun the Premiership season strongly.
After the break, the team took the game to their opponents. Pace was introduced from the bench, which led to a 70th minute penalty that was converted by Jamie Baxter to draw the scores level. The Swifts kept pressing and all but forced a winner, hitting the woodwork twice and doing everything apart from scoring.
The match ended level, giving Matamata two wins and a draw from their opening five league matches, which have all been played away from home.
Waharoa Transport Swifts reserves took the lead early but then conceded three times, including two from the penalty spot to trail 3-1 heading into the closing stages of their match against Hamilton Wanderers. With young players against tiring opponents, however, you always have a chance. The reserves found two goals in the final five minutes, and almost a winner, as they almost overran their opponents.
Andrew Ganas scored twice for the reserves, and also assisted the other goal, which came from Ethan Davis as the match ended 3-3.
The goals were spread around on Sunday as Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies ran out 6-0 winners over Otorohanga, after a close first half. Matamata led by a single goal at the break, but finished off their opponents during the second half.
Stacey McFarlane, Laura Fisher, Laila Balzer, Kerrie Cox, and Nat Gaskell, with two, helped themselves to goals, while Lisa Dunn, in goal, and her defence secured their third clean sheet in three games this season.
The win maintained the ladies’ 100% start to the season, keeping them in the upper reaches of the table as Waikato Division 1 begins to take shape for 2021.
Good Merchant Players of the Day were Blair Griffiths (Comag Matamata Swifts), Alisha Dare (Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies) and Andrew Ganas (Waharoa Transport Swifts Reserves). Fez Kebab Swifts 3rds didn’t have a game this weekend.