After a poor performance last week, Swifts Reserves were determined to put in a better effort against an unbeaten Putaruru side. They reverted to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation, bringing Rob Cox back to centre back, and Andy Monteith slotted into left back. Adrian Phillips moved back one position to right back and Richard Paradizo was back between the sticks.

The first challenge was digging the ball out of the grass that was long, to say the least, and it also sapped the energy from the legs.

The Swifts started solidly and were soon two goals up thanks to some nice interplay and finishing from Jono Monteith and then David Hyslop. But Putaruru were playing their usual game of all out attack and were soon back in it with a far post header from a corner. Shortly after that they scored again with the player seemingly posing no threat, standing with his back to the goal, lobbing the ball up and over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area.

Wilfredo Antunez succumbed to his hamstring injury and forced a reshuffle in the midfield with Joel moving into the middle and Jo Dew coming on in left midfield. Monteith then scored a second goal to see the Swifts leading 3-2 at halftime.

The second half started at the same frantic pace as the first and Putaruru soon added to their goal tally in scoring three goals. The last of which the players and spectators felt came off a clear hand ball. Paradizo in goal also pulled off some great saves.

However it was not all one way and Jamie Cox, who had come on up front after a further reshuffle, went close with a couple of good shots. He eventualy did score with a top corner shot that left the keeper no chance.

The Swifts were unlucky not to get a point from the game feeling aggrieved that the linesman flagged for a dubious offside when the player was clear on goal. That, as they say, is football. John Anderson refereed in his usual no nonsense manner and contributed to a free flowing game.

While the team lost they came off the park with their heads held high having taken part in a non-stop entertaining game of football. Man of the match was Joel Chamberlain for a non stop effort.

Matamata Swifts Reserves Richard Paradizo; Andy Monteith, Pete Challis, Rob Cox, Adrian Phillips; Michael Collins, David Hyslop, Wilfredo Antunez, Joel Chamberlain; Jono Monteith, Matt Monteith.
Subs Joseph Dew, Jamie Cox, Chris Bedford.