Matamata Swifts 1 v Melville 0
Matamata Swifts scored their first home win of the season on Saturday
as they edged home 1-0 over Hamilton-based side Melville United. This
encounter was almost an exact replica of the Swifts' previous match, with
the only real difference being that this time they ended the match on
the right side of the scoreline.
Both sides were evenly matched which meant that, at times, they cancelled
each other out. The first half, in particular, was the tightest of affairs.
Both midfields worked over time, with the Swifts looking good going forward
and solid when they were required to track back and help out in defence.
Neither side was able to find their range and, although the Swifts always
looked the more likely team to score, Melville kept them honest. The back
three of Neil Wiseman, Eric Van Waveren and Gwyn Hughes, looking more
solid every week, dealt with most of what came their way. On the few occasions
they were stretched the solid presence of goalie, Ian Moody, came to the
rescue.
While Matamata had opportunities to open the scoring during the first
half, they really came into their own after the break. They threatened
more and, while their shots were usually limited to long range efforts,
the pressure started to mount on the Melville goal.
On the hour mark the long awaited goal finally arrived for Matamata and
it came from one of the more unlikely sources. Colin Taylor sent a shot
screaming across the face of goal and Ryan Carter picked the ball up wide
on the left. Carter immediately whipped in a cross that ended up bending
into the net through a melee of Melville defenders. The goal, teenager
Carter's first at senior level, was vital for the confidence of the side
as the Swifts settled into a period of ascendancy for the remainder of
the match.
Matamata had chances to extend their lead, most notably through Billy
Garcia and a thunderous effort from Van Waveren, but almost blew it near
the end. A Melville striker broke through and, from ten yards, looked
certain to score. Thankfully Moody, after a quiet second half in goal,
produced the goods when required to do so, pulling off the save of the
match to deflect the shot wide.
This victory, while long overdue, also reflects the increased level of
performance the side has been operating at in recent weeks. With their
home ground hoodoo finally broken the Swifts, with two more home games
over the next two weeks, will look to build on this performance with some
more positive results.
Player of the day for Matamata was wing-back, Ryan Carter.
Swifts XI 1-Ian Moody; 14-Eric Van Waveren, 5-Neil Wiseman, 6-Gwyn
Hughes; 10-Ryan Carter, 4-Colin Taylor, 8-Dwayne Barlow (11-Bevan Shelley
75m), 9-Aidan Miller, 15-Garry Ewing; 7-Billy Garcia, 2-Adam Graham (12-Andre
Bos 75m).
Subs not used: 16-David Mann
Other Results
Cambridge 4 v Otorohanga 3
Ngaruawahia 1 v Claudelands 4
Hamilton North 4 v Wanderers 3
Tokoroa 2 v Putaruru 1
West Hamilton 1 v Te Awamutu 0
Match photos
|
FULL
TABLE (31/05/03)
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
Pts
|
|
| Hamilton North |
7
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
20
|
10
|
14
|
|
| Te Awamutu |
6
|
4
|
0
|
2
|
19
|
4
|
12
|
|
| Claudelands |
6
|
4
|
0
|
2
|
12
|
5
|
12
|
|
| Putaruru |
6
|
4
|
0
|
2
|
14
|
11
|
12
|
|
| Cambridge |
7
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
13
|
10
|
11
|
|
| West Hamilton |
5
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
13
|
8
|
10
|
|
| Melville |
6
|
3
|
0
|
3
|
8
|
14
|
9
|
|
| Matamata |
7
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
6
|
16
|
7
|
|
| Otorohanga |
6
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
16
|
19
|
6
|
|
| Tokoroa |
6
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
9
|
12
|
6
|
|
| Wanderers |
6
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
7
|
11
|
5
|
|
| Ngaruawahia |
5
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
5
|
22
|
1
|
Swifts man of the match, Ryan Carter, closes in on his Melville opponent.