Swifts’ wretched run continues
An at-times listless performance from Comag Matamata Swifts has seen them slump to a 4-3 defeat at Tauranga Boys’ for their third Loaded WaiBOP Premiership loss in a row.
The fans who had travelled could be forgiven for wondering what was going on as Matamata gave up three poor goals inside 15 minutes.
Despite being well below par for the remainder of the half, Matamata fashioned a number of openings and had their aim been true should have been at least level at the break.
It didn’t take long after the restart, however, for the Swifts to grab three goals back.
Jamie Baxter, from the spot, Glen Carmichael and top scorer Chris Walker had Matamata on level terms in next to no time.
The Swifts continued to press but couldn’t find the goal that would have broken their hosts, with the Tauranga keeper pulling off several fine saves.
With the game in the balance outside influences started to take hold and it was the hosts, who had looked threatening on the counter all afternoon, who notched the winner.
Matamata had the ball in the net almost immediately but the goal was inexplicably ruled out.
Richardson Racing Stables Matamata Reserves also headed over the Kaimais to play Tauranga City United.
Logan Raynel put the young reserves ahead early, before Tauranga equalised almost immediately. In the second half the experience of Tauranga shone through as they scored twice more to win 3-1.
The Swifts A team completed a hat trick of disappointing away results for the men’s teams with a 2-1 defeat at Te Awamutu.
Hayri Cihan’s goal was the sole reward for a performance that should have seen them return home with more.
On Sunday, the Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies completed the initial part of their season on a bright note, holding Tokoroa to a 0-0 draw in a back and forth game at the Matamata Domain.
Tokoroa was among the league favourites pre-season, while Matamata was pushed into Waikato A less than a week before the start of the season.
This result is a sign of how far the team has come over the course of the season and they will enter phase two of the season full of confidence.