Both of the Matamata Swifts senior men's sides travelled away this week, but it was the Stanley Group Federation 1 team which had the more enjoyable trip home after a pleasing, if not spectacular, 3-1 victory at Melville.

Looking for their first back-to-back wins of the season, Matamata were eager to pick up where they left off from last week's 4-0 drubbing of Rotorua. The Swift's side certainly started off the better of the 2 teams, getting the ball under control and playing some attractive football in front of a crowd which seemed composed of far more travelling Matamata supporters than Melville locals.

Goals in open play have been hard to come by this year for Matamata, but with the continued pressure it wasn't long before they were awarded a free kick in the opposition half. The Melville side had been asked to look into a sun drifting in and out of the clouds and this may have caused some issues as free-kick specialist Jamie Baxter stepped up to knock a ball goalward. Fortunately Peter McCoskrie, coming off his double last week, didn't have any issues seeing the ball and he nodded the ball into the net to give Matamata a 1-0 lead.

Melville, however, didn't seem to learn from this mistake and it wasn't long before they gave Baxter another chance from set play. His first attempt was blocked, but only by an errant hand in the wall which moved the free kick 10 metres closer to goal. His second effort, surprisingly, never eventuated. Instead, a step over left the ball for Joe Freeman to strike on goal, and his powerful, curling drive left the keeper rooted to the ground as the ball hit the top corner.

The opportunity was on for this to turn into a rout, but while Matamata play some lovely football at times, they are yet to put it on for 90 minutes. At 2-0 up they seemed to decide this match was over, 70 minutes too early. Melville sensed their chance and soon took control of the match, finding ample room in behind the Swift's defensive line. A header tipped over the bar saw the beginning of a busy period for the Matamata keeper. There were no less than 4 breakaways in the first half and it was only a combination of poor finishing and solid goalkeeping which kept the score at 2-0.

Fortunately, the half-time break gave Matamata a chance to regroup and refocus. Unfortunately, they didn't take it. Melville started the second period as they had finished the first. Another one-on-one was saved but this time Melville had players following up to put away the rebound and tighten the scoreline to 2-1.

Melville continued to flood forward, a chipped shot was tipped on to the crossbar before another effort was flashed wide. And, just when an equalised seemed imminent, inexplicably the floodgates shut. Melville were closed down and the chances dried up. Action for much of the second half was focussed in the middle of the park and the nerves in the Matamata camp were allowed to settle.

It took until the final five minutes before the Swifts could completely kill of the match however. Ben Watson, perhaps sensing that there would be no penalty to aid him in adding to his tally this week, pushed forward and latched on to a through ball. Beating 2 defenders for pace he showed Melville how to finish a one-on-one by coolly rounding the keeper and slotting the ball home to give Matamata the 3-1 victory.

A good result from a scrappy match for the Swifts, with man of the match this week going to goalkeeper Jonathan Crook.

The Peter Vossen Builders Federation 2 side travelled to Papamoa and went down 4-1, finding themselves on the rough end of 2 penalty decisions. "Own goal" put in appearance to slot a consolation goal for the Swifts side.

Both senior men's sides are back at home this week with the Federation 1 side looking for 3 in a row against bottom placed Otumoetai while the Federation 2 side welcome Tokoroa to the Domain. Kick-offs 2.45 and 12.30 respectively. The Challenge Ladies side travel to Tokoroa on Sunday.