Matamata Swifts’ men’s 1st and reserve teams succumbed to the weather and other forces this week on what was a challenging Saturday afternoon for football.
Comag Matamata Swifts fell at the first hurdle of this year’s ISPS Handa Chatham Cup after seeing a 2-0 halftime lead against Ngaruawahia United turned into a 3-2 deficit by full time. Kody Nowell, fresh off the aeroplane, was in the action early with a debut competitive first team goal inside ten minutes.
Nowell scored a second seven minutes before the break to give Matamata a comfortable lead on the scoresheet after what had been anything but a comfortable half of football. Ngaruawahia had their chances and were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty that could have levelled the scores.
The visitors were level within a quarter hour of the restart after the Swifts failed to clear a couple of set pieces in the slick conditions. Despite that set-back, the Swifts had multiple chances to go back in front, including a great penalty shout of their own. Their profligacy came back to haunt them right on time, however, when Ngaruawahia was awarded a contentious spot kick, which they converted to win and progress to the next round.
Waharoa Transport Swifts reserves made the trek to Taupo and will feel harshly done by to come home with nothing. The sides traded goals during the first half, with Hardy Rosas’ goal cancelling out an early Taupo strike. The only goal after the break came midway through the half, with Taupo’s second that gave them a 2-1 victory having more than a whiff of off-side about it.
On Sunday the conditions, if anything, deteriorated. But the football brightened as the Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies beat Hamilton Wanderers 7-1 to maintain a top three spot in Waikato Division A. The ladies savaged their opponents during the first half, taking a 4-0 lead into the break, and only let up slightly during the second 45 minutes.
Annemieke Verstraten netted the team’s second hat trick of the season, while leading scorer Renee Graumans helped herself to another couple of goals. Maggie Leaver, in a best on field performance, and Pam Guzman were also on the scoresheet as the team clicked through the gears in another fine performance.
The Swifts 3rd team suffered a 5-1 defeat against the higher ranked Marist in the first round of the Scottish Cup. Duran Weaver-Smith scored the side’s consolation goal on a challenging afternoon for the side.