Recap

Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts 4-3 Rotorua United
WaiBOP Premiership

Waikato Stud Matamata Swifts have moved into second place in the Waikato Bay of Plenty Premiership after pulsating 4-3 win at home over a Rotorua United side that previously occupied that spot.

The sides traded goals inside the opening five minutes. The Swifts went behind after they failed, spectacularly, to deal with a corner, before Jamie Baxter restored parity from the penalty spot after Jordane Lambert had been clattered in the box.

There were no further goals before the break, although there should have been plenty. The visitors went long and direct to their speedy front men at every opportunity, while the Swifts were a bit more measured. It was open, and the chances came and went, but the game was lacking precision in front of goal. That all changed in the second half.

Rotorua got themselves back in front two minutes after the re-start after being awarded, and converting, a spot kick of their own. The Swifts took a while to regain parity but their second equaliser, with just over 20 minutes to go, sparked a frantic finish. The two substitutes, Chris Walker and Raphael Berthelot, combined to let Frenchman Berthelot ram home his first goal, six minutes after coming on for his Swifts debut, making it 2-2.

Less than a minute later the visitors were in front again after some overly generous Swifts defending but the home side kept tightening the screws. Matamata drew themselves level for a third time, after a period of sustained pressure, when Brad West drilled home on 77 minutes then, with five minutes left, they won the game. Berthelot was played in and calmly beat the Rotorua keeper, who had been good all afternoon, to make it 4-3 to Matamata.

Details

Date Time League Season
May 14, 2016 2:45 pm WaiBOP Premiership 2016

Ground

Matamata Domain
7 Huia Street, Matamata 3400, New Zealand

Results

Club1st Half2nd HalfGoalsOutcome
Matamata Swifts134Win
Rotorua United123Loss

Matamata Swifts

# Player Position Goals Assists Yellow Cards Red Cards
1Jordan WiseGoalkeeper0000
4Jamie BaxterMidfielder1000
5Michael DawsonDefender0000
7Brad WestMidfielder1000
8Scott ParsonageMidfielder0000
9Jordane LambertMidfielder0000
11Sam MastersonDefender0000
13Lawrence Clothier 21Midfielder0000
15Will Judson 16Defender0000
19Dwayne SignelDefender0000
20Chris MonteithDefender0000
16Chris Walker 15Forward0000
21Rafael Berthelot 13Midfielder2000
 Total 4000

Rotorua United

Position Goals Assists Yellow Cards Red Cards
 0000