Swifts score sweet victory in BOP
Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts won 3-0 at bottom side Tauranga City United on Saturday to move into joint second on the Loaded WaiBOP Premiership table as the 2016 season nears its end.
Mercurial Frenchman, Jordane Lambert, opened the scoring early with his 10th goal of the season, before second half strikes from Chris Walker and Ben Vogt eased the Swifts to their 13th win of the season against a side that will be playing Championship football in 2017.
The match never rose to any great heights. The Swifts were always in control and had their minds on this weekend’s match against neighbours rivals Cam- bridge.
The winners of this Saturday’s match will put themselves in a great position to finish as runners-up to 2016 title winners, Ngongotaha.
A young Richardson Racing Stables Matamata Swifts reserves, reduced to half a side due to injury and unavailability, lost 5-1 at promotion chasing Taupo in the WaiBOP Championship.
Matamata hit the woodwork early before Taupo rattled home four first half goals to put the result beyond doubt. Finn Challis grabbed a goal back for Matamata after halftime but Taupo scored again to underline their favouritism to finish in the second promotion spot.
On Sunday the Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies won their sixth game in a row at Claudelands Rovers, after a goalless first half Matamata ran out 3-1 victors.
The Swifts Under 13s produced another strong showing, drawing 1-1 at home against Hamilton Wanderers in a match they were unlucky not to win.
After going behind early Anton Ganas fired the equaliser home from a free kick then Matamata created several more excellent openings to go ahead.
Unfortunately the ball stayed out but, in a sign of how far the side has progressed this season, a draw against a side that had beaten Matamata 6-1 in their first game at this level was a creditable result.