Stanley Group Matamata Swifts have had a wretched afternoon at Waiuku, putting in a horror 2nd half showing to fall to an embarrasing 5-1 defeat. While the scoreline could have been a little better, due to the chances the Swifts created, it could also have been much worse, with Tom Pamment having his busiest game in a while.

The Swifts had slightly the better of an even enough first half. They came closest to opening the scoring in the early stages, with young debutant, Bailey Webster, a livewire up front. Waiuku were forced to defend grimly at times.

Matamata thought they had finally gone ahead when Webster got a good sight of goal, but the canon in his left foot drove the ball into the upright with the keeper grasping. Pamment had pulled off one sharp first half save, but was beaten not long before the break, giving the hosts the momentum they needed going into the second 45 minutes.

Waiuku killed the game off within minutes of the restart with two quickfire strikes. Disappointing individual errors by Matamata gifted the hosts both goals, but worse was to come as the Swifts went through small spells in the second half when they looked horribly fragile under the onslaught.

Going forward the Swifts continued to create chances. Stu Watene hit the cross bar with a dipping long range drive, while Jack McNab had one shot very well saved, then hit the side netting before grabbing one back for Matamata in the 77th minute.

This gave the Swifts an inkling of a chance against a side that didn't look overly secure at the back, but that chance was snuffed out as they gave up two more comedy goals in the last ten minutes.

To make for a completely miserable day, Eddie Kennedy was forced off at half time with another injury following a heavy challenge. He was followed ten minutes later by Dwayne Signal, who dislocated his shoulder after colliding with one of his own players, leading to an extended stay at the A&E on the way home.

It will be nice to get back to the Domain after two miserable defeats on the road.