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SUNDAY TEAM
 
MATAMATA SWIFTS 2 ...v... MELVILLE UNITED 1 >>(ht 0-1)
>>WAIBOP FEDERATION 1 Saturday August 17, 2013 Venue Matamata Domain Kick-off 14:45
  Ref Hamzi Mahagna Ground condition Magnificent Back to results page
     

           
   
1. Jono Crook
   
         
         
  7. Adam Roach
3. Colin Taylor
 
   
 
4. Jamie Baxter
   
2. Gary Dobson
       
       
  19. Dwayne Signal
  Off (21)
8. Scott Parsonage  
   
9. Brad West 11. Joe Freeman 17. Ben Watson
  Goals 1 Goals 1
     
12. Peter McCoskrie
 
       
Subs
On for
Goals
GK.
Matt Aberhart
??.
Jeong Min Hyun
21.
Joe Gifford
19 (75m)
     
       

       
Other results (WaiBOP Fed 1)
AFC Fury 3 Cambridge 0
Ngongotaha 1 Taupo 6
Otumoetai 3 Unicol 2
Whakatane 2 Rotorua Utd 2
       
     
MATCH REPORT
   

The Stanley Group Matamata Swifts Federation 1 side hosted another of the relegation battlers this week as Melville United travelled to the Domain for the first of 3 home games to finish the season for the Swifts.

In the first clash between the sides Matamata had been pushed hard for long periods before running out 3-1 victors. With the target of escaping from the bottom two positions it was Melville who had the greater motivation and this told early as the visitors won the majority of the early battles.

It was Matamata, however, who had the better of the early chances. Unfortunately, it appeared they had brought the shooting woes of last back home from Rotorua with them though, this time, there was a little help (or hindrance!) from the Melville goalkeeper. An Adam Roach through ball created the first opportunity for Peter McCoskrie who rounded the keeper only to fall, possibly with some slight assistance from the despairing keeper.

Scott Parsonage was the next cab off the rank as he found himself through on goal. On this occasion the keeper came out and made a clean stop, before recovering to make a second fine save as Ben Watson looked odds on to add to his season's tally. And finally it was Gary Dobson who saw a powerful header from a Jamie Baxter corner saved as it seemed goalbound.

Matamata were soon left ruing their squandered chances. A soft free-kick at the top of Swift's box gifted Melville a sight at goal. The ensuing shot was hardly hit with great venom, but it found its way over the wall and somehow snuck inside the post to give the visitors an early advantage that obviously lifted their confidence. There were few further chances from either side and Melville took the 1 goal advantage into the break.

It had been a lacklustre performance from the home side and it sounded like there were some hard words coming from the Matamata changing rooms as they tried to regroup. And there was certainly more energy after the resumption. The Swifts needed an early goal to really swing the momentum though, and it wasn't long before they found it. A slick play down the right saw plenty of players involved but it was Joe Freeman, making his comeback to the starting eleven, who the ball fell to near the top of the box. His left-foot volley found its way past the despairing keeper who couldn't keep this shot out.

The Swifts continued to push as they went in search of the go-ahead goal. A scrappy clearance from the Matamata defence saw the ball eventually fall to Parsonage in the middle of the park. He looked up and quickly saw space on the left, threading a through ball which found Watson streaking clear. And, as he has done all season, Watson timed his touch perfectly to leave the keeper sliding through empty space, and he made no mistake as he tucked in with his left from a tight angle.

With Matamata taking the lead, signs of frustration began to creep into the Melville side and there was plenty of niggle in the Swifts box. The home side kept their cool though and, save from a late chance which was tipped onto the underside of the bar and away from goal, they were largely untroubled as the minutes ticked down. The Swifts nearly picked up another late goal themselves as substitute Joe Gifford had a shot fumbled and slink just wide of the post but, more importantly, the full-time whistle followed soon after. Player of the day went to McCoskrie.

In their last home game of their season, the Peter Vossen Builders Swifts reserves side went down 3-2 to Papamoa. An early Scott Hudson strike had given the Swift's the lead but a lot of credit had to go to Matt Aberhart for Matamata not having dropped behind by the break as the teams went in level. The Swifts couldn't prevent 2 further second half strikes however, and a late Gifford volley proved only to be consolation.

The Challenge Swifts Ladies side continued their stellar run in the Waikato Plate knock-out competition as they travelled to Waikato University. It was a stalemate in the first half with Matamata playing all the football but unable to break down the Unicol defence as they dropped deep into their own half. Clear cut chances were few and far between with Krystal Morrison blasting the best opportunity over the bar.

The game was more open in the second half, though the Swifts were wondering if they were going to be able to find the back of the net after a clear one on one, with the keeper stranded, was pushed wide of the post. But the breakthrough came soon after, though it took just a little bit of help from the hosts. A Chloe Verstraten speculator from the right took 2 deflections on its way to goal, with the last seeming to wrong foot the keeper who was unlucky to see it slip through her legs and into the net.

The passing improved with the nerves settled and the game was soon put beyond doubt. Hailey Maddren struck home from range as her low shot gave the keeper no chance. With plenty of rotation up front there was the chance for things to get a little scrappy, instead there was a name on the scoresheet. Larissa Moroney forced the ball in from close range to give her her first goal of the season. And Morrison made amends for her first half miss as she broke clear late to slot home Matamata's fourth.

The win sees the Swifts ladies through to the final of the plate competition and a chance of brining silverware home to the club. Player of the day honours were split between Verstraten and Maddren.

Also on Sunday, the Swifts Under-15 held Hamilton Wanderesrs White to a 1-1 draw. Further details to come soon.

Next week sees the Federation 1 side with the bye while the Federation 2 team finishes their campaign away to Tokoroa. The ladies travel to Otorohanga on Sunday for their last away game of the league, while the Under-15s play Wanderers Blue at Porritt Stadium.

MATCH PICS
jamie
scott
Above Jamie Baxter. Above Scott Parsonage.
dwayne
adam
Above Joe Freeman. Above Adam Roach.
Photos by: Gemma Sliz.