The Swifts reserves notched another comfortable pre-season win at Taupo on Saturday.

Missing a number of regulars, the reserves went in to the match not quite knowing what to expect, but came out of it high on the confidence brought about by a good performance and some cracking goals.

A reshaped side saw Keiran McCabe come into the middle of the side's back four while first team regular, Neil Slater, slotted into the middle of the park. The attacking line-up also threatened goals, with Jono Monteith and Chris Bedford out wide along with Matt Monteith and Luis Maldonado up front.

They didn't disappoint.

Matamata took a while to open the scoring although, to be fair to their opponents, they had been in a good contest for most of the first half.

The first goal, when it finally came, was a Jono Monteith special. He half glided, half loped, past a number of defenders before drilling the ball home with what is supposed to be his weaker right foot.

Barely seconds after half time Matamata stretched their lead to two. A well worked free kick by Wilfred Antunez and Neil Slater led to Slater rolling the ball home.

The final Swifts goal, a Chris Bedford missile, sealed the game for Matamata. Receiving the ball some thirty-plus yards from goal, Bedford had a crack and, as happens more times than not, rifled the ball into the back of the net. And there wasn't even a shuffle in sight.

The reserves play Tauranga City United reserves this coming Saturday in the curtain-raiser to the Caper Cup final.



Matamata Swifts Reserves Jason Collins; Joseph Dew, Andy Monteith, Keiran McCabe, Marcelo Marquez; Chris Bedford, Neil Slater, Wilfred Antunez, Jono Monteith; Luis Maldonado, Matt Monteith.
Subs Mike Collins, Adrian.