Matamata Swifts senior football teams bagged the full spectrum of results over the weekend. Challenge Matamata Ladies picked up an important victory on Sunday, while Comag Matamata Swifts and Waharoa Transport Swifts reserves shared the spoils in their games. Fez Kebab Swifts 3rds were the only team to taste defeat.
In the Premiership game at the Domain, Comag Matamata Swifts came as close as they could to winning, before an equaliser five minutes into added time left them with a 2-2 draw against visiting Otumoetai.
Ellis Breadmore continued his fine scoring run with the first half’s only goal, before Chris Walker doubled the Swifts’ lead midway through the second half to set the home team on course for what would have been a well-deserved win.
Otumoetai halved the deficit not long after Walker’s goal but Matamata looked to have seen the game out only to be cruelly denied all three points at the last possible minute. In a season with more twists and turns than a Jacinda Ardern press conference, this was yet another moment that can only be described as character building for the stretched Swifts squad.
Waharoa Transport Swifts reserves came from behind to also pick up a point, drawing 1-1 with Claudelands Rovers in a true game of two halves. Ethan Davis’ second half penalty seemed to have righted the ship for the reserves but, despite their much improved showing after the break they couldn’t quite manage to find an equaliser.
Fez Kebab Swifts 3rds went down 4-0 against Tokoroa’s reserves in the early game at the Domain. Again, the pace of the game stretched the more socially-inclined 3rds players, but they stuck it out until the end.
It was brighter news for Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies, who won 1-0 at Waikato Unicol to secure their top four spot for the final stage of the season. Jen Waterhouse opened the scoring in the first minute and Matamata proceeded to boss the game, without being able to extend their lead.
Unicol’s keeper kept the damage down with an excellent performance while Matamata played as a solid, cohesive unit. After a rocky few weeks, both on and off the field, victory was a welcome tonic for the Swifts Ladies and will hopefully set them up for the final part of the season.