West Hamilton 2 v Matamata Swifts 1

Matamata Swifts showed the sort of resilience lacking in recent weeks as they frustrated high-flying West Hamilton on their slippery home ground, losing by the narrowest of margins and being unlucky not to take a share of the points.

Yet again Matamata were only able to field a bare eleven players with Joe Alves and Pete Challis drafted in from the club's Sunday team and Justin Read making only his third start of the season. These changes led to another reshuffle of the line-up, but this week things seemed to work.

Matamata were forced to soak up a lot of first half pressure, looking to defend their own half of the field and catch their opponents on the counter-attack. The home side dominated possession during the early stages but seemed to run out of ideas the nearer they got to the Swifts box. They were quite prepared to shoot from distance but, in the difficult conditions, seemed unable to find their range.

The Swifts back three of Adam Graham, David Mann and Pete Challis scrambled and scrapped for everything and, when the muddy surface conspired against them, had big Ian Moody in goal to clean up. They could do nothing about the first goal, however, which came on the half-hour mark. It was a product of the conditions as the ball pin-balled around on the slick surface in the 18-yard box before falling at the feet of a West Hamilton player. He made no mistake from close range.

After the break Matamata began to offer a little more going forward. Billy Garcia and, in particular, Bevan Shelley on the right made life difficult for their markers, while Colin Taylor grew in stature in the middle of the park. The game became a more even contest but clear-cut chances were still at a premium for both sides.

West Hamilton's second goal was the most pivotal point of the game. The referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after one of the home players had fallen over in the mud. It was a bad decision but worse was to come for Matamata as West Hamilton fired home what turned out to be the winning goal. Moody saved the first effort but the ball was rammed home at the second attempt.

With nothing left to lose the Swifts really began to take the game to their hosts. They put the West Hamilton back four under increasing pressure and, with ten minutes left, were rewarded with a goal. Justin Read scored at the second attempt, after his first, headed, effort had been blocked on the line. It was, apparently, the first goal the home side had conceded in seven matches.

Matamata pressed on with renewed vigour and were almost rewarded with an equaliser in the dying seconds. Bevan Shelley got in behind the West Hamilton defence and, from a difficult angle, almost caught ex-Football Kingz goalie, Julio Cuello, out at his near post.

Everyone performed well for Matamata but the two players who stood out, for their differing contributions were Ian Moody in goal and goalscorer, Justin Read, who did a good job on the outside of the Swifts front three. Bevan Shelly worked tirelessly on the right hand side on the Swifts midfield.

Swifts XI 1-Ian Moody; 2-Adam Graham, 12-Dave Mann, 5-Pete Challis; 7-Bevan Shelley, 4-Colin Taylor, 8-Dwayne Barlow, 11-Ryan Carter; 15-Justin Read, 9-Billy Garcia, 10-Joe Alves.

Other Results
Cambridge 2 v Wanderers 1
Claudelands 2 v Otorohanga 0
Hamilton North 2 v Putaruru 0 (lost by default)
Melville 2 v Ngaruawahia 1
Tokoroa 1 v Te Awamutu 1

[ Back to Match Reports page ]