Comag Matamata Swifts’ Soccer Shop WaiBOP Premiership campaign continues to move in the right direction after a second consecutive victory on Saturday. The Swifts eased home 4-1 at West Hamilton United with another performance that will help consign the team’s mid-season struggles to the “how the heck did that happen?” basket.
Andrew Clothier, back in the side after a five week injury absence, struck early from the penalty spot before Chris Walker and Sam Hills scored two goals in two minutes in the lead up to half time. It was a strong first half showing from the visiting Swifts, who now seem to be taking the sort of chances that went begging for so long this season.
Walker grabbed his second, and fifth in the last two games, with 20 minutes left to underline Matamata’s strong showing. The hosts denied the Swifts their clean sheet with a goal of their own, but that will have done little to dampen Matamata’s delight at what has, in the past, proven quite a challenging place to visit.
Waharoa Transport Swifts Reserves put in another willing performance in The Soccer Shop WaiBOP Championship but came up short in losing 4-1 at promotion chasing Claudelands Rovers. Ram Singh’s eighth goal of the season had the reserves level at 1-1 for a while during the first half, but second-placed Rovers ended up pulling away.
Camel Kebab Swifts 3rds won 4-3 in a bright encounter with Claudelands O35s. Serial goal scorer, Jamie Cox, took his season’s tally into double figures with two of the goals, while Kiko Ontiveros and Ronan Costello were also on the score sheet as the 3rds picked up a much needed victory.
Sunday’s conditions at the Domain were far from ideal, but that didn’t stop Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies from defeating Melville United and consolidating their Waikato Division 1 top three spot.
Patrice Morrison was amongst the goals once more, while Mary Ontiveros’ brace proved to be the difference between the two sides. Lexi Kettle’s vibrant display drew praise from the coaching staff. The ladies now look forward to this Sunday’s Waikato Plate semi-final, scheduled for an 11am kick-off against Otorohanga at the Domain.