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Auckland is not proving a happy hunting ground for Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts so far this season. The side has returned from their third trip north of the Bombays with their third loss of the season, although there were many positives to take from this performance.
This match was as close as the score line suggests and if it wasn’t for the woodwork Matamata would have led within the first ten minutes. Michael Beard was played in and his snap shot was deflected on to the cross bar. Beard, combining well up front with Stu Watene, had a couple more good first half efforts. He was particularly unlucky to see an early shot from distance parried wide by the flat footed United keeper.
The only goal of the game came just a minute before the break. The Swifts defence allowed Joel Facon just a little too much space just a little too close to goal. To his credit he did well to get the ball down and create his opening, and the finish was first class.
Both side’s huffed and puffed after the break, but to little real effect. The Swifts, down to the bare bones in terms of playing staff, probably shaded the second 45 minutes, but couldn’t quite manage to force a telling opening.
While the result didn’t go Matamata’s way, coach Duncan Lowry wouldn’t have been happy with much of what he saw. Peter Shannan, drafted in at the 11th hour, made a solid debut for the Swifts alongside Andy Birchenough in the middle of the park.
Andy Cooper, playing against doctors orders, put in a solid shift as a second half replacement for an injured Stu Watene, while in an act of immense courage, Mike Spencer dragged his body around the pitch for a good 70 minutes. Andrew Clothier continues to mature into a valuable senior footballer.
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