Match Report

The sweltering conditions, along with a resilient Otumoetai side, combined to ensure the Swifts had the most taxing game so far of their 2005 pre-season. While the scoreline might make this look a comfortable result, Matamata was made to work hard for most of what they achieved - a perfect situation for a pre-season game. The Swifts deliberately kept their squad for the day to the bare minimum to ensure almost everyone present got a full 90 minute work out. Most things Matamata did worked well, although the one glaring problem seems still to be in front of goal. The side created plenty of opportunities through the midfield and from out wide but consistently failed to hit the target. While this is a concern, it must be mentioned that Matamata was missing Adam Graham, Joe Alves (a goal box predator who would have been perfectly suited to this match), Rodrigo Navarro and Bevan Shelley. Matamata looked composed in most areas of the pitch but had only a tap in from Dwayne Barlow to show for their efforts before the break. A John Massey shot-come-cross fell nicely for Barlow, allowing him to wrong foot the Otumoetai goalie and roll the ball home from close range. A number of other chances were wasted due largely to hurried finishing or low percentage option taking. Positional changes were made for the second half with the Swifts changing to a more attacking 3-4-3 formation. Scott Parsonage and John Massey were pushed further forward on either side of the front three and began to cause havoc in the Otumoetai defence. Massey was soon on the scoresheet, side footing the ball home after some great work by Alberto Romero. Romero shimmied and danced through the heart of the Otumoetai midfield and finished his little masterpiece off with the perfect ball to Massey. The game was made safe soon after when Massey grabbed his second goal, matching his efforts from the Morrinsville game. He was played from out wide, cut inside and smacked the ball in off a defenders shin. They all count, and while the Swifts were quite prepared for Massey to claim the goal as his own, they were also relieved that the scoreline would reflect the dominance they displayed over the course of the match. Solid performers for Matamata included the central midfield duo of Andy Birchenough and Alberto Romero, while the back three of Ged Parkinson, Colin Taylor and Dai Lowry dealt with everything that was thrown at them. Gary Darkes in goal was asked to make a couple of important saves but, in truth, he was the least busy man on the pitch. In the early game Matamata reserves lost 4-2 to Otumoetai reserves. Matamata have Easter off and will return to action in a fortnight when they play their final pre-season friendly against old foes Te Awamutu.

Match pics

Above Andy Birchenough springs forward. Above Alberto Romero (14) gets things going in midfield. Above Defender, Dai Lowry, rolls one out from the back. (Pictures by Jean Thornton)

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