Cambridge 1 v Matamata Swifts 1

Matamata Swifts roller coaster start to the 2003 season took a turn for the better on Saturday as they took a point off defending league champions, Cambridge. For the second time this season the Swifts followed a poor performance with a much-improved effort, lending credence to the suggestion they can compete with the best teams in the league.

The Swifts entered the match with a reshaped formation, playing with three central defenders, wing-backs on either side, a three man central midfield and two up front. This leant better balance to the side and allowed the team a solid platform from which to break down Cambridge's forays forward as well as for launching their own attacks.

The two youngest members of the team, Colin Taylor and Ryan Carter were charged with patrolling either touchline and their energy and commitment ensured Matamata kept their shape and could be constructive with the ball when in possession. In fact this move almost proved a masterstroke early on, as Taylor surged forward, got in behind a flat Cambridge back-four and drilled a first time effort just wide. This set the tone for the early stages of the match as Matamata continually threatened to score. They were denied a good chance by the linesman's and also had a good penalty shout turned down.

As the first half wore on, however, the home side brought the match back onto a more even keel. With some of the Swifts visibly tiring after their early efforts, Cambridge found a little more space in which to move. They began probing forward and, while not creating too many clear cut chances, gave the Swifts a scare when they hit the Matamata crossbar from distance.

The match remained goalless at the break, but it wasn't long into the second half before the first goal came. A free kick was driven into the Matamata 18-yard box and, when the Swifts failed the clear the ball, it fell at the feet of a Cambridge striker who made no mistake from close range.

The previous week this goal would have spelt the end for Matamata, but this time things were different. The Swifts were able to find some untapped reserves and moved forward determined to get something out of the match.

The equaliser came midway through the second half. A half-cleared corner fell at the feet of Matamata's Uruguayan striker, Billy Garcia, and his crisply struck first time effort whistled inside the right hand upright, giving Garcia his first goal of the season and Matamata the credibility they went to Cambridge seeking.

The match didn't exactly peter out, but neither did it rise to any further great heights. The Swifts search for a winner was repeatedly thwarted by the off-side flag, while the home side lacked the cutting edge to seriously threaten a winner of their own.

Matamata will hope to build on this effort next week as they take on Claudelands Rovers and look to consign their horrendous home form this season to the history books.

Player of the day for Matamata was Colin Taylor.

Swifts XI 1-Ian Moody; 15-David Mann (13-Eric Van Waveren 55m), 5-Neil Wiseman, 6-Gwyn Hughes; 10-Ryan Carter, 4-Colin Taylor, 8-Dwayne Barlow, 7-Bevan Shelley, 12-Garry Ewing; 9-Billy Garcia, 2-Adam Graham.
Subs not used: 3-Scott Grooms, 11-Justin Read, 14-Joe Alves

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Claudelands 2 v Melville 0
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Te Awamutu 1 v Wanderers 0
Tokoroa 4 v Otorohanga 1
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