The Stanley Group Matamata Swifts Federation 1 side put on a good performance at the Domain on Saturday, but were still unable to upset second placed Tauranga Old Blues as they went down 2-1. Unfortunately, it wasn't the quality of the football but an unheard of incident in the second half which was the main talking point after the game.

Having gone down 4-0 to Old Blues earlier in the season there was a definite need to start strongly in this encounter. With Gary Dobson back from suspension, Dwayne Signal moved into the centre of the park as Matamata opted to play with a slightly more defensive set-up. This seemed to work as early chances were few and far between for Old Blues, though the Swifts themselves were limited to counter-attacking from deep.

There was little to talk about in the first half. Old Blues best chances came from the flanks. One cross was tipped in to the centre of the box and narrowly away from the advancing strikers while another found its mark but could only be blasted over the bar. At the other end of the park, the Swifts were able to create openings but seemed loath to shoot and it no surprise that the scores were level at the break.

It was a livelier opening to the second half as both teams pushed for the opening goal. Matamata were continuing to defend solidly and trying to catch Old Blues on the break while the visitors were forced to resort to the long ball in search for a chance.

As is often the case in these tight matches it was a mistake which led to the first goal. Another Old Blues long ball seemed unthreatening and Matamata were afforded plenty of opportunity to clear but failed to so. Picked up on the right, the ball was knocked to the far post and, with the Swifts defence failing to track the forward runners, it was a free header which put the visitors ahead.

Unlike earlier in the season, however, Matamata didn't let their heads get down and they were quickly in search of an equaliser. Old Blues adopted a much deeper in position as they looked to defend their advantage, but it wasn't to last long. A mid-game change in positions for Andrew Clothier and Ben Watson seemed to confuse the Old Blues defence and it was Clothier who knocked the ball in from the left to find Watson who had plenty to do in front of goal. He cut in off the right and a quick move beat his first defender. Finding another defender in place, the identical move took Watson past him too, and then it was only the keeper to beat with a cool left foot finish.

Old Blues were soon pushing forward as they looked to retake the lead. But it was at this stage that the match descended into a farce in an incident that dominated the post-match talks. An approach from the linesman to the referee saw him having a chat with the Old Blues coach, seemingly regarding some of the visitor's second team players who were supporting from the sideline. Then five minutes later he was off. Not the coach, or any of the players, but the linesman, who tucked his flag under his arm and headed home.

With all the action in his half of the field you just knew that something controversial was going to happen. And happen it did. Once again Matamata failed to clear their lines and found a ball crossed in from the right. But this time the player was surely offside at the far post though and was flagged as such by the replacement linesman, a CBR. The CBR was overruled and, with the ball ending up in the back of the net, the Swifts were left scratching their heads as they tried to work out what had just happened.

Barring a late blast from Jamie Baxter, which swerved dangerously but found its way safely into the keeper's hands, the rest of the match was largely played by two teams struggling to comprehend the most unusual of walk-offs. Old Blues were relieved to take the 2-1 win home over the Kaimais while Matamata can take some heart from what was, ultimately, a good display of football. Man of the match went to Dwayne Signal.

In the earlier game of the day, the Peter Vossen Builders Federation 2 side had a "we won't talk about it" 9-0 loss. Player of the day was Rob Cox.

The Challenge Swifts Ladies side put in another great showing as they played out a second consecutive 0-0 draw which, yet again, shows the huge strides this team is making. Their opposition, Cambridge, had run out resounding 10-0 winners in the first match between the sides. It was a match which was even throughout as the Swifts spent long periods of time on attack. Sarah Coppard again looked likely in front of goal and was unlucky to have a shot well saved in the first half. Cambridge nearly stole the game late, but Matamata were relieved to see the ball bounce back off the crossbar. Player of the day went to newcomer Kate Smitstra.

The Swifts Under-15s secured their third win in a row after dispatching Geyser B at the Domain on Sunday. The team led 2-1 at the break then cleared away in the second half. Leandro Garcia-Bentley and Logan Raynel scored twice each and were joined on the score sheet by Lawrence Clothier and Mark Russenberger.

Next week sees both men's teams travelling to Rotorua in what, for the Federation 1 side, will be their last away game of the year as they finish with three in a row at home. The ladies welcome league leaders Morrinsville while the under-15 also travel to Rotorua on Sunday.