Metso Matamata Swifts has moved to the top of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Federation League following their third consecutive home victory. With previous leaders, Taupo, drawing 1-1 with Whakatane, the Swifts are now where they need to be, although a little earlier than even they might have expected.

The score line belies the tight nature of this match in which neither side created many chances. A couple of second half penalties from Ged Parkinson proved to be the difference between two evenly matched teams. Matamata perhaps shaded the game and thus earned their victory, if only because they looked the more likely side to actually score.

As expected the combative visiting side provided stiff opposition, but always looked rushed in their attacking third. They began the match full of fire, brimstone and positive aggression, but it takes a little more than that to break down this Matamata Swifts side at home.

The Matamata back three of Colin Taylor, Ged Parkinson and Duncan Lowry, strong in the air and swift across the turf, held sway over the disappointing Rotorua United strike force. Gary Darkes in the Matamata goal was a noisy, but reassuringly calm, last line of defence and deserved his second clean sheet in two weeks.

Up front, Jason Collins and Andrew Taylor were full of energy. Collins' pace, strength and intelligent runs across the front of the United defenders were a highlight. Andy Birchenough was his usual enthusiastic driving force in a Swifts midfield that matched that of the visitors, while Alberto Romero oozed class in the space behind the strikers.

On the hour mark Collins was adjudged to have been wrestled to the ground by the United keeper following a surge into the box. The decision looked a little harsh, but that's the way it goes in football. Matamata was denied twice last week from more clear-cut shouts.

This presented Parkinson, leading scorer in 2006, with his first goal of the season. The goal broke the back of the visitors, who began, out of necessity, to chase the game and started to look ragged.

The big Swifts centre half stroked home his second spot kick of the game with only a few minutes remaining after substitute, Dima Slack, was shoved to the ground in the box. The assistant referee flagged for the foul and, to his eternal credit, kept his flag up as play continued to the other end of the field. Once the referee's attention was gained the spot kick was awarded.

Slack nearly capped his good cameo from the bench with a first competitive senior goal but he found the side netting late on. Matamata won the physical battle over United, which allowed them to then go on and win the footballing battle.

Only two points separate first placed Matamata from sixth placed United on the table. That indicates the positively squeaky tightness of the top half of this league. There will be many more days and matches like this as the title race twists and turns its way to September.