Matamata Swifts' dream run in 2005 continued as they caused the upset of the Chatham Cup first round by beating Northern League Division 2 side Claudelands Rovers.

Ged Parkinson, deadly as ever from the penalty spot, secured victory early in the second half of a game in which the Swifts were the dominant force.

While Matamata survived a few hairy moments during the last ten minutes or so, it was a match they thoroughly deserved to win over a side currently playing in a league two divisions above them.

Matamata won the game through the midfield. The central trio of Alberto Romero, Duncan Lowry and Andy Birchenough dictated terms from the outset. Romero, in particular, was outstanding, combining first-class distribution with all the subtlety and skill you would expect of a top line South American footballer.

Out wide, Juan Carlos Rodriguez and Scott Parsonage provided willing outlets, drifting forward to aid in attack and helping out the back three when needed.

The best chance of a tight first half came on the half hour mark. A crisply struck twenty metre drive from diminutive Swifts striker, John Massey, was tipped wide of the upright by the fully stretched Claudelands keeper. Most of the crowd were already out of their seats expecting to see a nice little bulge in the back of net. They would have to wait a little while longer for a goal.

Matamata had their best period of the game, indeed their whole season, during the first twenty minutes of the second half. As well as the goal, coming from the spot after a hand ball in the box, Matamata had two glorious opportunities to seal victory. Both times they were denied by some superb work from the Rovers keeper. First he made an energetic double save to deny Scott Parsonage from close range then, only moments later, got off his line quickly to grab the ball off the toes of Adam Graham.

As the game wore on, and with their Chatham Cup lives at stake, the visitors showed more desperation, pushing men forward and finally starting to play like a Northern League side.

With Matamata torn between defending their lead and looking for the crucial second goal, the visitors sensed their chance of getting back into the game. An amazing nine (!) minutes of injury time was played, something that didn't exactly keep the heart rates level on the Swifts bench.

Thankfully the Swifts defence held strong. Ged Parkinson controlled things in the middle and was brilliantly supported by Colin Taylor, playing one of his best games in a Swifts shirt.

Behind them, goalie Gary Darkes, as dominant as ever in his 18-yard box, was called on to make several top class saves to preserve a fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Man of the match for Matamata was Alberto Romero, with any of half a dozen other Swifts also in line for the award.

Matamata is back in league action next weekend against Tokoroa. If recent fixtures between these two sides are anything to go by it should be a tasty little match...


Click here for a summary of all the 1st round action.
Click here to read a story on the STUFF website.