It was another case of what could have been for Comag Matamata Swifts on Saturday, as they went down 1-0 to WaiBOP Premiership title chasers, Waikato Unicol, after creating enough chances to have taken more from the match.
Down to the bare bones, due to an injury list as long as Nile River, the Swifts were forced to sit in and look to counter their polished opponents. Unicol, as a result, had more of the ball but the Swifts were able to largely keep them at arm’s length.
Both sides created several big chances in each half, with Chris Walker and Radge Avergonzado going close in the first half for Matamata. The visitors took the lead not long after the break, but youngsters Anton Ganas and Sam Hills pulled out top drawer saves from Unicol’s keeper during the second half to preserve their advantage.
Two more youngsters, Karam Singh and Adam Harris, on debut, were introduced in the second half but Matamata was unable to find the goal that would have given them a deserved share of the spoils. Such has been the way of it of late.
The early game between Waharoa Transport Matamata Reserves and their Waikato Unicol counterparts ended 0-0, which gave the young Matamata team only their second point of the season along with their first clean sheet. The point was some small reward for a team that has done it tough at times this season, but has also come close to getting more reward.
Camel Kebab Swifts 3rds returned from Hamilton after a 7-1 defeat to Northern United Debarcles. Kieran Burgess’ goal was the sole statistical bright spot for the team, that played okay at times but also suffered from some chronic inconsistency.
Challenge Matamata Ladies got their season back on track on Sunday with a comfortable 6-0 Waikato Plate victory over Claudelands Rovers. After a couple of uncharacteristic performances away from home, the ladies were right back on it on a lovely winter’s day at the Domain.
Kerrie Cox put in a player of the match performance, scoring a hat trick and leading by example. Patrice Morrison, with two, and Maggie Leaver also got on the team sheet for Matamata, who began their defence of the Plate in great fashion.
In general, it was a solid team performance, with Chrissy Goodin strong in defence, along with Katie Morrison and Lexi Kettle in midfield.