Swifts remain unbeaten at home
Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts maintained second spot in the Loaded WaiBOP Football Premiership after a 4-1 victory over Melville United on Saturday.
The visitors opened the scoring early on from the penalty spot, but Chris Walker’s goal had the Swifts level by halftime and Matamata completely took over after the break.
Jordane Lambert’s raping finish just before the hour-mark put Matamata in front, before Brad West’s double in the last quarterhour underlined his team’s second-half dominance.
The Swifts also had the luxury of missing a penalty when Jamie Baxter’s spot kick was well saved.
This was Matamata’s 10th win in 14 games and it ensured they remained unbeaten at home in 2016.
They still sit six points behind leaders, Ngongotaha.
In Saturday’s early games, Richardson Racing Stables Swifts reserves got home 2-1 over visiting Whakatane thanks to Reuben Wigelsworth’s fine double-strike, while the Swifts A team progressed to the next round of the Waikato Plate following a penalty shoot-out win at Claudelands Rovers.
Goals from Ronan Costello (2) and Jamie Cox ensured their match finished level at 3-3, before Hayri Cihan and Kyle Van Waveren’s spot kicks ensured the A team won 2-1 in the shootout.
Keeper, Matt Aberhart, was prolific between the sticks, both during the match and in the shoot-out.
On Sunday the Challenge Matamata Ladies won 2-1 in Otorohanga thanks to goals from Ana Paterson and Patrice Adamson, while the Swifts under13s lost 10-0 to an extremely good Tauranga City United.