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Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts had just the sort of match they needed in their first pre-season hit-out. Aggressive opponents and a dodgy surface meant the team had to get down to business right from the start and, reassuringly, this is just what they did, playing some good football in sustained patches.
The team went a goal up early on when the impressive Mike Spencer finished well on the volley after good lead up work by Andrew Clothier and Mark Knell. Clothier had almost opened the scoring moments earlier when his solidly struck50-yard through ball bounced awkwardly, smacked the keeper in the head and bounced just the wrong side of the upright.
Duncan Lowry doubled the lead on twenty minutes, heading home an Alberto Romero corner. Less than five minutes later Lowry, back after a long injury layoff, was nailed above the knees and, frustrated, was forced to limp from the field.
Mark Knell rolled home the Swifts third goal on the half hour. Clothier, moved to left-back in the reshuffle following Lowry's departure, was involved in the build-up again. Substitute Leo Regalado fashioned an opening for himself and his shot was well saved, but the rebound fell to Knell who made no mistake.
Waiuku got on the scoresheet just before the break. A curiously awarded penalty, from a Jon Allen block tackle on the edge of the box, gave them their opportunity. The spot kick only just eluded keeper Tom Pamment who dove full stretch to get his fingers on the ball.
The hosts scored their second late on. It was a good strike from distance that came not long after Mark Knell had been flagged off-side while scoring his second. Unfortunately the Waiuku defender wasn't the only person he was too quick for...
The game finished five minutes early when one of the Waiuku players rolled his ankle on the half way line. An ambulance was required, just was the damage.
For the Swifts, Alberto Romero looked sharp and Mark Knell was always threatining, while the youngsters, Clothier, Spencer and Jack McKenna, were impressive.
Swifts squad: Tom Pamment; Andrew Taylor (Adam Graham 45m), Ged Parkinson, Jack McKenna, Duncan Lowry (Leo Regalado 25m); Alberto Romero, Jon Allen, Andy Birchenough, Andrew Clothier; Mike Spencer (Andrew Taylor 70m), Mark Knell.
Swifts Reserves
The Swifts Reserves were convincing 2-0 victors over their Waiuku counterparts. The team created countless chances, particularly early and also during the final half hour, played some good football and got some excellent game time.
An unmarked Leo Regalado scored after fifteen minutes, rifling home from the edge of the box. He was played in by Jake Watkin's first telling contribution in senior football. It will be the first of many in the years to come.
The team struggled on in the sticky conditions. It was a perfect pre-season test as their opponents were willing but not quite good enough to stop the team playing football.
The final half saw just about everyone have a shot at goal, with several guys doing a great job of butchering the opportunity of opening their accounts for the season. Thankfully Andrew Jordan bashed home a twenty-yard screamer with ten minutes left to give the reserves some well earned breathing space.
Swifts Reserves: Matt Aberhart; Adam Graham, Pete Challis, Daniel Holmes, Chris Bedggood (Richard Marquez 60m); Andrew Jordan, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Luis Maldonado (Blair Van Waveren 70m), Richard Marquez (Blair Van Waveren 20m, Matias Antunez 50m); Jake Watkin, Leo Regalado (Scott Parsonage 60m).
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