The Matamata Swifts 1st team began their 2005 Waikato Premier league campaign by equalling the club's record victory in winning this local derby over Morrinsville. Twice before the team has won games 9-0 and they were only a missed penalty away from creating a small slice of local footballing history on the back of this resounding win.

Matamata began slowly and, for a while, lacked the cutting edge they displayed during their unbeaten pre-season run. The visitors were a good physical match during the first half hour or so while the Swifts, despite creating a host of openings, struggled to bag the crucial opening goal.

It was a rusty beginning by a Swifts side who hadn't played a match for a fortnight. Passes were hurried in the attacking third and chances were wasted, despite some great work by the five-man Matamata midfield.

Matamata struck the woodwork twice and had a goal ruled out for offside before they finally got on the score sheet. Star midfielder, Alberto Romero, had the honour of scoring the Swifts' first goal of the season, showing good strength to hold off a defender before picking his spot.

Romero also had a hand in the Swifts' second just before the break. Some good work in the box by the Uruguayan was followed by a chip to Dwayne Barlow who headed the ball into an empty net.

After the break the flood gates opened and the visitors were washed away. Player/coach, Duncan Lowry, grabbed the third goal with a powerful header, before Barlow smashed home his second from close range.

All three Swifts substitutes then got in on the act. Adam Graham opened his account by rounding the keeper and rolling the ball home, while Andre Bos neatly finished off a magical Alberto Romero pass to score from 20 yards.

Marcelo Marquez, better known as a tough tackling defender, even got on the score sheet with a crisp finish following a great run from deep. In the middle of all that, wide midfielder, Scott Parsonage found time to score from distance.

Player/coach Lowry had the final say with a cracking volley to round out an exciting display of Swifts football during the second half.

Matamata's back three of Ged Parkinson, Colin Taylor and Dai Lowry coped well with the physical threat offered by their opponents, while goalie, Gary Darkes, pulled off three good saves to ensure he kept a clean sheet. Captain Andy Birchenough was a machine in midfield while Juan Carlos Rodriguez, playing in an unfamiliar wide midfield role, was an important creative influence.