Matamata Swifts 1 v West Hamilton 2
Matamata Swifts came through their biggest test of the season so far,
on Saturday, with a great deal of credit, although not exactly the result
they were looking for. The well performed West Hamilton outfit, one of
only two Waikato clubs still left in the Chatham Cup, snuck away from
the Domain with the points in their back pocket but only after a brutal,
bruising encounter that kept the sizeable crowd thoroughly entertained.
A goalless first half was punctuated with little bursts of skill and more
than a little endeavour from both sides. The difficult playing surface
made flowing football a practical impossibility and, instead, the match
settled into a war of attrition with Matamata more than matching their
much-vaunted opponents.
The visitors had more of the possession, although they struggled to carve
out more than the odd opportunity, while at the other end the Swifts had
the best chance of the first forty-five minutes. Adam Graham was put through
and let fly with his left foot from the edge of the area. With the keeper
beaten the shot grazed the top of the cross bar and went over.
The game opened up after the break as West Hamilton upped the tempo in
search of the first goal. The Swifts did well to keep things tight but
just as the most pressing danger seemed to have subsided the visitors
took the lead. A free kick was swung in from the left and, as the Swifts
moved forward looking for an off-side flag that should have been raised,
West Hamilton's centre forward nipped in and tucked the ball home.
While this goal was shrouded in controversy West Hamilton's second, which
came fifteen minutes from the end, was all class. With the Swifts pressing
forward for an equaliser they were caught on the break and paid the ultimate
price. The visitors moved the ball quickly into the danger zone and their
centre forward applied a lethal finish for his second goal of the day.
Funny as it seems, the Swifts then had their best period of the match.
As West Hamilton looked to sit on their lead the Swifts grabbed a goal
back with less than ten minutes to go to set up a grandstand finish. From
a goalmouth scramble Billy Garcia reacted quickest to smash the ball home
from ten metres.
With substitute, Andre Bos, pulling the strings Matamata forced a succession
of corners and half-chances but were unable to find a second breakthrough
and had to settle for credibility, rather than a share of the points,
as their spoils from the match.
Best for Matamata were goalie, Ian Moody, centre back, Eric Van Waveren,
and player of the day, Neil Wiseman, while up front Billy Garcia always
looked threatening with the ball at his feet.
Swifts XI 1-Ian Moody; 14-Eric Van Waveren, 3-Neil Wiseman, 6-Gwyn
Hughes; 10-Ryan Carter, 4-Colin Taylor, 8-Dwayne Barlow (15-Garry Ewing
70m)), 9-Aidan Miller, 7-Bevan Shelley; 5-Billy Garcia, 2-Adam Graham
(11-Andre Bos 75m).
Subs not used: 12-David Mann
Other Results
Ngaruawahia 1 v Melville2
Otorohanga 2 v Claudelands 2
Putaruru 2 v Hamilton North 10
Te
Awamutu 1 v Tokoroa 0
Wanderers 0 v Cambridge 1
Match photos
|
FULL
TABLE (07/06/03)
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
Pts
|
|
| Hamilton North |
8
|
5
|
2
|
1
|
30
|
12
|
17
|
|
| Te Awamutu |
7
|
5
|
0
|
2
|
20
|
4
|
15
|
|
| Cambridge |
8
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
14
|
10
|
14
|
|
| Claudelands |
7
|
4
|
1
|
2
|
14
|
7
|
13
|
|
| West Hamilton |
6
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
15
|
9
|
13
|
|
| Putaruru |
7
|
4
|
0
|
3
|
16
|
21
|
12
|
|
| Melville |
7
|
4
|
0
|
3
|
10
|
15
|
12
|
|
| Otorohanga |
7
|
1
|
4
|
2
|
18
|
21
|
7
|
|
| Matamata |
8
|
2
|
1
|
5
|
7
|
18
|
7
|
|
| Tokoroa |
7
|
2
|
0
|
5
|
9
|
13
|
6
|
|
| Wanderers |
7
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
7
|
12
|
5
|
|
| Ngaruawahia |
7
|
0
|
1
|
6
|
6
|
24
|
1
|
Swifts striker Adam Graham.