Swifts score derby-day victory
Logan Raynel, centre, scored Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts’ opening goal as they beat neighbours, Cambridge, 2-0 at the Domain in Matamata on Saturday.
Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts completed a delicious 2-0 win over Cambridge to move to second in the Loaded WaiBOP Football Premiership standings.
This was always likely to be a tasty encounter and it didn’t disappoint.
The visitors arrived with a clear plan in mind – kick Jordane Lambert – but the Swifts are familiar with this approach and introduced something to take full advantage.
Lambert drifted high and wide, drawing Cambridge’s strongest players out of the centre of the park like red and white moths to the flame.
This created huge gaps in midfield that allowed Matamata to flood forward.
Had the execution been better the match would have been over by half time.
Ben Vogt and Chris Walker, twice, had golden opportunities saved by the visiting goalie, before Logan Raynel tapped home the opening goal five minutes before the break.
Walker and Lambert had great chances to extend Matamata’s lead in the five minutes after the restart, before the visitors came into the game for a period.
Cambridge had a good spell midway through the half, during which they hit the upright and forced two excellent saves from Jordan Wise, but Matamata broke again inside the final ten minutes to seal victory.
Walker’s pace got him in on goal before squaring to Vogt who slammed the ball home.
In the early game, Richardson Racing Stables Swifts reserves let in two first half goals to lose 2-0 to Cambridge reserves. It was another game in which the reserves were left ruing missed opportunities.
The Swifts A team’s dreams of cup glory ended in disappointment after a 4-0 semi-final defeat to Melville in the Waikato Plate.
On Sunday, the Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies had their excellent winning run snapped after a 4-2 loss at Melville.
Annemieke Verstraten and Patrice Adamson scored for Matamata.
The Swifts Under-13s completed their debut season with a fine 4-0 win at Claudelands Rovers.
Sport Waikato District Coordinator, Lou Beer said it was important to acknowledge those working hard in sport in the Matamata-Piako district.
She said she hoped individuals, clubs, schools and sports organisations would take the time to fill in a nomination form so that the achievements of ‘‘our district sports people and volunteers can be recognised and celebrated’’.
‘‘Nominations can be made simply online with categories reflecting various roles including officials, coaches and administrators as well as individual sportspeople and teams,’’ said Beer.
Sport Waikato District Sports Awards events will take place in Taupo, South Waikato, Waikato, Waipa, Matamata-Piako, Waitomo, Hauraki/ThamesCoromandel and Hamilton, during the month of November. Nominations can be made online at www.sportwaikato.org.nz.