Stanley Group Matamata Swifts have returned from Auckland following the narrowest of defeats against Fencibles United, one of a slew of teams that, like the Swifts, clog up the middle of the table in NRFL Division 2.

This was an open match and far from as dour as the score line might suggest. Both sides had periods of dominance, created multiple chances to score and gifted openings via sloppy defending. In between there were several bursts of end to end madness. It would have been a great game for the neutral spectator to watch, but not nearly as relaxing for either set of coaching staff.

Matamata started the better of the two teams, with leading scorer, Jack McNab, threatening on a couple of occasions, while a Fencibles mix-up almost saw them roll the ball into their own net. Stu Watene, back in the side after a month long injury-enforced absence, proved a good creative outlet down the left, while the centre backs looked solid, apart from a couple of errors.

Fencibles almost opened the scoring from one of these mistakes, but their striker rolled the ball wide under pressure. The hosts also went close to gaining a penalty, but their young winger chose not to go down under the challenge and instead scuffed his shot straight at Tom Pamment in Matamata's goal.

The hosts started the second half well, resorting to a more direct style of play that put the Matamata back four under more pressure than they had previously been. Pamment made one decent save and also saw a Fencibles shot shave his cross bar.

Matamata then got themselves back into the match, creating two great openings. First, a Watene diagonal ball found Andrew Carter in space on the right and through one-on-one with Fencibles' keeper. He lifted his shot over the advancing keeper but it bounced narrowly wide. Not long after, McNab found himself free in a similar channel. He moved the ball into the box and then saw his angled shot well saved.

The only goal of the game came with about 20 minutes remaining. The Swifts were caught cold following an attacking free kick well in the Fencibles half. The hosts shifted the ball well out of defence while the Swifts failed to properly cover their advancing opponents. In the Pamment was left stranded as a Fencibles player was left unmarked only a few yards out. The finish was emphatic.

The Swifts huffed and puffed during the closing minutes, cutting out a couple of half chances. In the end, coach Lowry and his players were left to ponder some lapses of concentration and moments of inconsistency that ultimately proved costly.