Matamata Swifts made it two wins from two matches to start their season as they defeated defending Waikato Premier League champions, Claudelands Rovers, on their own patch. A Ged Parkinson penalty midway through the first half won it for a Swifts side that generally held the upper hand throughout.

Going into the game the Swifts realised this could be a season defining match, even so early into their campaign. A win would set them well on their way to a successful season, while defeat could have undone much of the good work that had gone before. Thankfully things went to plan.

Matamata started well. The central midfield trio of Alberto Romero, Andy Birchenough and Duncan Lowry gained control of the middle of the pitch early on and set the platform for a series of Swifts raids on the Claudelands goal.

Scott Parsonage, playing in an advanced position on the left, had a good early chance as the Swifts probed and prodded their opponents, searching for a way through in the most difficult conditions imaginable.

The Swifts soon found their opening and it came following a series of neat passes. Adam Graham got on the end of the move and, just before pulling the trigger, was hacked down in the box.

Parkinson made no mistake from the spot.

Soon after, Graham was mugged again, this time just outside the box. Again, it was the last defender who did the job for Claudelands, and again he surprisingly stayed on the pitch. Unfortunately Matamata had less luck with the free kick than they did from the spot.

After the break the rain, that had threatened for most of the day, made it's long awaited appearance, making the rock hard surface more than a little slippery on top. Such conditions made quality football difficult for two sides who deserved better.

The game should have been over less than 20 minutes from the end. Matamata's best chance of the day fell to Adam Graham, who did well to bring a cross down on his chest and nudge the ball towards the goal. Just as the ball looked to be rolling inside the post Claudelands' keeper got an outstretched hand to it to push it wide.

Matamata nearly paid dearly for this miss. Late on Claudelands sent a header flashing wide, when the ball really should have ended up in the back of the net. It would have been rough justice, however, as this was the hosts' only clear-cut chance of the day.

In the end it made no difference as the Swifts rode to an important victory. They now sit one point off the top of the league with a game in hand. Very nicely placed, you might say.

Man of the match for Matamata was centre back, Ged Parkinson.