Comag Matamata Swifts and Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies completed comfortable wins in their final home games of the season, while Waharoa Transport ended their 2020 campaign with a come from behind draw on the road.
The Swifts’ struggled to score in the reverse fixture against Te Awamutu, but made up for that profligacy as they registered three times in the opening 23 minutes to put this game to bed early. A late penalty from the visitors meant the game finished 3-1.
Captain, Bjorn Vossen, set the Swifts on their way after slipping home a fifth minute penalty, before Matt Potts scrambled home from a corner ten minutes later to double the lead.
Young playmaker, Anton Ganas, was rewarded for his bright, influential opening with Matamata’s third. He also placed a target on his back as, with little official protection, the visitors spent the rest of his time on the field kicking him rather than the ball.
Ganas wasn’t the only Swift on the end of a good kicking as the game went on. That was the tone for the remainder of what barely resembled a football match.
The visitors finished well from the penalty spot, late on, after being gifted their chance to score following a scratchy hand ball call.
The other Saturday game saw Waharoa Transport Swifts reserves recover from a two goal half time deficit to draw 2-2 at Waihi in their final match of the season. Ronan Costello and Ethan Davis netted for the reserves as they couldn’t quite complete the perfect comeback.
On Sunday, Challenge Matamata Swifts eased to a 3-0 win over Northern United to set up a title showdown against Waikato Unicol next weekend.
Shania Stewart back-heeled Matamata’s opening goal then Kerrie Cox nodded home to give the Swifts a two goal half-time lead.
Northern have traditionally been difficult opponents for Matamata, but when they put through their own net in the second half a tidy victory margin was assured.
All focus now turns Sunday’s final game of the season, which will be played in Hamilton. Matamata and Unicol have been neck and neck all season, drawing both their previous encounters but sitting miles ahead of anyone else in Waikato Division 1.
Unicol have a significantly better goal difference so the Swifts will need to win to bring home the title. It’s all to play for.
The Good Merchant Players of the Day were Blair Griffiths and Matt Potts (Comag Matamata Swifts), Shania Stewart (Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies) and Rob Cox (Waharoa Transport Swifts Reserves).