Te Awamutu swaggered away from the Matamata Domain with a thoroughly deserved victory over a largely lethargic Metso Matamata Swifts side.

The visitors showed so much more viguor and aggression than their hosts, particularly during the first half. Te Awamutu's 2-0 lead at the break should have been more. James Maxwell and Ewen Scott Dickens put TA two ahead in the opening five minutes and the visitors, playing their highly effective direct style of football hit the post and had Swifts keeper, Gary Darkes, at the busiest he's been all season.

Matamata barely threatened and had to rely on a couple of Alberto Romero free kicks to increase their shots on goal stat.

After the break it was a different story as the momentum shifted. The Swifts got back on level terms within twenty minutes of the restart. Ged Parkinson netted the first from the spot, even though new signing, Andrew Dixon, scored as the ref was blowing his whistle.

Dixon wasn't to be denied moments later, however, as he expertly chipped home a well deserved debut goal.

Then the momentum shifted again. A well struck, but seemingly harmless, Matt Millar shot from 30 yards was popped up by Darkes, slipped sideways, then backwards and slithered home. Not to be outdone Colin Taylor then left his keeper stranded from 35 yards with the most sweetly struck own goal you're ever likely to see.

Matamata grabbed a late consolation when substitute, Jason Collins, scrambled the ball home from close range. The resurgent visitors, under new coach Tim Ball, were well worth their victory over a Swifts side who were beaten at home in a competitive fixture for the first time since 2004.

Swifts coach, Duncan Lowry, was fulsome in his praise of the gallant Te Awamutu side and singled out youngster, Jordan Ball, as a hot prospect for the future. Lowry was also complimentary of the league. "We've seen over the last few weeks that if you're slightly off your game you get punished. I love this league - it's tight, tough and will see plenty more upsets."