Swifts win their Chatham Cup thriller
Matamata Swifts have navigated the first hurdle of New Zealand sport’s oldest knock-out cup competition, the Chatham Cup, after a thrilling 5-4 extra time victory over Auckland-based Internationale FC.
The Swifts’ attacking prowess and defensive frailties were on show, but this was a match they should have comfortably wrapped up in regulation time. Matamata struck twice in the opening 15 minutes, through an own goal then a Scott Parsonage drive, and appeared on the way to victory. But their experienced opponents hit back twice from set-pieces to see the game level at the break.
The woodwork twice came to Internationale’s rescue, from a first half Chris Walker effort then a second half Dayne Willemsen strike, but the tie was thrown upside down when they hit the front with 20 minutes remaining.
Sam Masterson drove home the leveller with a minute left, then Walker put Matamata back in front five minutes into extra time. Radge Avergonzado, on debut, tucked home the fifth. Internationale grabbed one back midway through the final period but the Swifts managed to see the game out.
Richardson Racing Stables Swifts reserves completed the first win of their WaiBOP Championship season, 4-1 over Old Blues. A first half double from Ramandeep Singh, either side of a Bruno Dos Santos’ goal, had the reserves leading comfortably at the break. Radge Avergonzado wrapped the game up in the final 10 minutes. The result, which could have been by a larger margin, was a good return for an excellent attacking performance.
The Swifts A team lost 2-1 to Te Aroha. The scores were level at one apiece at the break, after Rob Cox scored to cancel out the visitor’s early lead. Te Aroha struck the decisive blow in the second half of a match that could have gone either way.
The Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies lost 5-2 at title favourites, Cambridge. The hosts took the lead early before Catrina Morris equalised. Cambridge stretched their lead to 3-1 at half time, before Patrice Adamson hit back for Matamata in the second half. Cambridge scored twice late, but Matamata’s improving performances show they are now comfortable at this level.