The Stanley Group Matamata Swifts Federation 1 side were looking to finish with a flourish as they hosted Taupo in their final game of the season. With a host of sponsors and other supporters in attendance, there was also a strong desire to impress and thank the people who have backed the side and contributed to the success of the Swifts club.
Taupo came into the match knowing that a repeat of the draw they managed in the previous encounter between the sides would give them the point they required to ensure Federation 1 football next year. It is an unusual position for a team which ran away with the title last year, and they came out of the blocks quickly as they tried to ensure that their fate didn't remain in question for their remaining matches.
Matamata were struggling to weather the early storm as Taupo looked to break quickly on the counter-attack, and their goal was under plenty of stress. Fortunately for the hosts, Taupo's woes in front of goal this season were evident and the early chances, including a clear 2 on 1, were all sprayed wide of the target.
It took nearly half an hour for the Swifts to create a chance of their own but, after watching their opposition squander their opportunities, they had learnt what not to do. From a corner, Jamie Baxter knocked a ball deep across the box. Adam Roach won the leap at the far post and, with the visitors scrambling, it was Joe Freeman who was the quickest to react and he nodded home the first of the day.
Full of confidence after taking the lead, the Swifts began to put a lot more pressure on the Taupo goal. The half time whistle, however, seemed to come at the worst possible time with momentum fully behind the home side, Ben Watson having come closest to doubling the lead with a low shot after creating space.
That notion was quickly dispelled as the second spell began. Taupo won a free kick in a dangerous position, but the shot was easily saved. With plenty of players pushed forward for the set piece, the visitors were vunerable to the counter-attack, and a quick ball out found Bradley West free on the right. He drew his defender and put Peter McCoskrie free in the sponsor's right hand corner. The cross was pinpoint and once again it was Freeman who leapt highest to score his, and the Swifts, second.
Taupo were reeling, and Matamata moved in to land the killing blow. This time it was West who found himself with space to deliver from the right after Roach and Freeman had combined in the centre of the park, and McCoskrie surging forward in the box, but the result was the same. The ball headed in to the corner of the goal and a 3-0 lead.
The Swifts weren't done just yet. With players continuing to push forward Roach, back in the midfield to finish the season, received the ball from the right and worked his way into the box. Scott Parsonage, however, saw the chance as the ball broke clear and he stepped forward to lash the ball back across the goalkeeper and into the net to give the Swifts an unassailable 4-0 lead.
With such an advantage there were a few changes and tinkering to the line-up, and the game really began to open up at both ends of the park. McCoskrie headed over the top while Watson acrobatically volleyed wide, while at the other end Taupo were unlucky not to pull one back after hitting the crossbar twice.
The score was to remain 4-0 though, in an entertaining and positive end to the Swifts season, with plenty to cheer for for the home supporters. The result gives the Swifts a 11 win, 10 loss and 1 draw season which, with one other result still to come in, sees them holding 5th position. Man of the match went to Joe Freeman. The side would like to thank all the sponsors this year, particularly their naming rights sponsor, Stanley Group.
The Challenge Swifts Ladies side played the last league game for the season at the Domain on Sunday and it was another big crowd in attendance for a side which the football community seem to have embraced this year. If they had been late today, however, they would have missed the opening goal. Kerrie Cox scored her first for the season in the opening minute, after forcing her way past the final defender, keeping her feet after she appeared to be tripped, and blasting the ball into the back of the net.
The Swifts played some excellent football in the first half and they had their chances to extend their lead as they looked for their first league win against the visiting Tokoroa side. The second half saw a much improved Tokoroa team, however, and they soon found themselves level, and then ahead, with two goals in quick succession. There was an element of luck in the second, though, as the ball rebounded off the crossbar straight onto the head of the Tokoroa striker.
Matamata were thankful to keeper Alisha Dare for keeping them in the game as she produced a string of excellent saves. And they nearly took full use late in the match. Pushing forward they were unlucky to see a chance at goal pushed just wide of the target. However the game was to finish 2-1 in what was another entertaining match.
The Ladies have one more match to play. They face off against West Hamilton United at Weka Street Park next Sunday at the earlier time of 10.30. It is the final of the Waikato Plate competition and they would be grateful for as much support as they can get as they look to bring the silverware home to the club. Hope to see you all there!
|
