Goals galore at Gower Park

The goals flew in on a day in which only three Loaded WaiBOP Premiership games went ahead due to the ISPS Handa Chatham Cup.

The ball hit the back of the net 10 times at Gower Park, but in the end Melville and Comag Matamata Swifts couldn’t be separated following a remarkable 5-5 draw.

After going a goal down early, the Swifts made most of the running during the first half to lead 5-2 at the change. Brad West had a hat trick under his belt inside 35 minutes, while Dayne Willemsen and Chris Walker also got in on the goal scoring action.

But Melville also pose a massive goal threat. Jordi Ditfort, Subesh Naidu, Sok Ven, with two, and Harry Coulsen scored the goals that helped them run down a tiring Matamata outfit.

The Hamilton Wanderers versus Tauranga Blue Rovers match appeared to be going according to the script after goals from Ache, Tommy Crane and Jared Bailey pushed Rovers into a comfortable lead.

But rock-bottom Wanderers had other ideas as Jayden Gozdz, twice, and Maxwell Ericksen drew them level had them hopeful of picking up their first point of the season. Substitute Mike Barton, however, was on hand to head home and secure a 4-3 victory for the visitors, who move to seven points.

In the only other match of the premiership played, Tauranga Boys’ College defeated Otumoetai 4-0.

Five Premiership teams were in Chatham Cup action. Waikato Unicol scored the most impressive victory, a 5-0 win over WaiBOP Championship leaders Ngaruawahia United, while Papamoa and Taupo also progressed to round 2.

Papamoa battled to a 3-1 win at Waiuku, while Taupo needed penalties to knock out the University of Auckland. West Hamilton United fell 2-1 at home to Franklin United, while Te Awamutu went down 4-2 at Ellerslie.