|
Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts have sunk to a narrow defeat in the opening game of the second phase of the 2010 football season. This was another end to end contest between two sides that had already shared 3-2 victories over each other earlier in the season. This one was probably the best game of the three.
The hosts started off slightly the stronger of the two teams and went ahead, albeit rather fortunately, in the 14th minute. A cross whipped in from the left snaked through the Matamata box, past several  defenders and was bundled in at the far post. The Swifts should really have dealt with it, even though the wet slippery conditions made defending difficult for both sides.
Matamata was level on the half hour mark. Michael Beard chased a lost cause on the end of the box, which led to a Mt Albert defender turning over possession. Beard knocked the ball out to Jon Allen who drilled the ball past a static home keeper from half way between the centre circle and the edge of the box. The Swifts were ahead eight minutes later when Tim Miller was on hand to rifle home his seventh of the season. Mt Albert had hit the upright between the two Matamata goals.
The home side’s equaliser came right on half time and had a touch of controversy about it. With Swifts centre back, Bevan Woltersdorf, lying on the ground with a head injury in the Mt Albert half the ref allowed play to carry on when it would normally have been stopped. The hosts broke forward and scored.
Mt Albert were the hungrier of the two sides after the break and stretched their lead to 4-2. Both goals should have been dealt with by a Swifts defence that put in a below par performance. Insult was added to injury when Mark Knell was shown his second yellow card at the insistence of the linesman with seven minutes remaining. This was despite the ref having already decided not to pull the card out. It was not the last curious decision of the day.
Miller scored his second of the day when he smashed home from close range following a free kick. In the aftermath the Mt Albert player/coach unleashed a sweary verbal volley at the referee, then went back for more, and yet was allowed to remain on the field. We can only wish every ref was that tolerant...
Matamata Swifts AFC would like to congratulate Alberto Romero and Ged Parkinson who both made their 100th 1st team appearance in this match. Alberto joined the club in 2004 and Ged in 2005.
The second phase of the season sees the top six teams from division 1, which includes Matamata, split equally into two groups along with the bottom ten teams from the premier league. The Swifts are back at home this Saturday to take on Papatoetoe. Kick-off is at the usual time of 2.45pm.
|
