The Swifts faced up to their most difficult pre-season opponents to date when they took on Northern Premier League side, Tauranga City Utd, at Links Ave.

Matamata turned in a good first half effort in what was a relatively even period of the match. The home side looked the more likely to score, though, hitting the woodwork once and pulling an excellent save out of Gary Darkes in the Matamata goal. Tauranga went ahead ten minutes before the break after Matamata was caught out down the left.

Swifts coach, Duncan Lowry, set his side out with an experienced and solid back three and midfield four for the first 45 minutes. Lowry gave the youthful front three of Ethan Wellington, Dima Slack and Daniel Frischknekt (all aged sixteen) a free hand during this period and they looked lively against the experienced Tauranga rearguard.

The Swifts changed to a back four after the break and didn't look quite as competitive. As the match went on the side began to struggle with their fitness and let in a couple more goals, both from the penalty spot. Lowry was able to give Gareth Clarke, another sixteen year old, a taste of senior football in a match that could well prove to be a good learning experienced for his crop of talented youngsters.

With Andrew Taylor, Jason Collins and Alberto Romero unavailable for this match the Swifts can, despite this result, be positive about the squad they have for the season ahead. And they still have five weeks to get fully match fit before their first Waikato/Bay of Plenty Federation League fixture.