Matamata Swifts 0 v Cambridge 2

A goal in each half was enough to give the visiting Cambridge side victory over Matamata in a keenly contested encounter at the Matamata Domain on Saturday. The result was a lesson to the Swifts about the value of making the most of scoring chances when they arrive. Cambridge clinically killed the game off when theirs arose while the Swifts, particularly during the first half, were more than a little bit wasteful.

Despite the scoreline this was the most even of encounters. The first half an hour was an arm wrestle during which neither side held sway for more than a short period. Both sides created half chances but the score looked like in would be deadlocked at the break. That was until Cambridge pounced on some Matamata indecision at the back. With the main danger seemingly passed, and the Cambridge striker having been driven wide, the Swifts were stung. A deft finish from a difficult angle put Matamata behind.

As so often happens this lifted the Swifts and they carved out a couple of excellent chances before the interval. Only moments after Billy Garcia had just failed, by the smallest of margins, to get a foot to a bouncing ball less than six-yards out, Adam Graham sent a shot from distance crashing into the up-right. On another day Matamata would have been ahead but, unfortunately, football, like most sports, is a game of centimetres and Matamata came up just a little short.

The second half was a muddle for both sides. Matamata continued to press for the equaliser but were foiled by some laboured play and resolute Cambridge defending. The visitors, who looked good when in possession of the ball, had their chances to kill the game off too. But, apart from a short-range free kick, which was expertly dispatched for their second goal, they also looked rusty in front of goal.

The match meandered to a conclusion with neither side looking like troubling the scorers any further. The inevitable frustration of another loss showed on the faces of some of the Swifts players but they only have themselves to blame for this defeat. Maybe they can put things right with a win next week, although that will be no mean feat as they meet Claudelands Rovers, one of the leading teams in the league.

Best for Matamata was player of the day Gwyn Hughes who was strong and committed at centre back. Ryan Carter did a good job on the left hand side of midfield while Bevan Shelley, one of three strikers, got through a lot of work but too often found himself isolated.

Swifts XI 1-Dave Taylor; 5-Neil Wiseman, 6-Gwyn Hughes, 16-David Mann (14-Pete Challis 80m); 9-Aidan Miller, 4-Colin Taylor, 8-Dwayne Barlow (11-Joe Alves 75m), 10-Ryan Carter; 12-Billy Garcia, 7-Bevan Shelley, 2-Adam Graham.

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Melville 0 v Claudelands 1
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Otorohanga 2 v Tokoroa 1
Putaruru 0 v West Hamilton 5
Wanderers 3 v Te Awamutu 3

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