The first game of the season is usually a battle for any team, what with testing the fitness and skill factor of the team, but this was to be an even bigger test for the Swifts Ladies. Their first match saw them drawn to play the toughest team possible in the Ladies A Division, last season's winners Cambridge.

Unfortunately Matamata adopted the same approach to last season and were caught half asleep at the start of the game, letting Cambridge in to score a soft goal within the first 2 mins. It was a disappointing way to start the season but the ladies were soon to prove that they were going to put up a real Challenge.

Matamata did spend a lot of their time dropped back in defense and did very well at closing down much of the Cambridge attacking play, with the new players definatly holding their own. Finally mid-way through the first half Matamata's speedy striker, Sarah Hockley, was sent clear to start off her season with an excellent run away goal bringing the score level at 1-1. Cambridge managed to take the lead back and the first half ended with the scoreline at 3-1 to Cambridge.

The second half started off with much more even play from both sides and was spread out over most of the field. The Swifts players started to build up their confidence and got more involved and also aggressive. Matamata soon capitalised on this with Hockley using her speed to run around the Cambridge keeper and score again.

This lifted the spirits of Matamata even more and they held their own against Cambridge. Unfortunately a bout of mis-communication between the Matamata keeper and centre back pretty much gave them a open goal to knock the ball into. At the final whistle Matamata were comfortable about coming away with a 4- 2 loss against last years winners, because it shows the Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies team may well be a contender for a top three placing in Division A.

The Matamata Car Painters player of the day went to one of the new players in the team playing at left midfield - Chantelle Van Waveren.

Next Sunday the Challenge Matamata Swifts Ladies are at home again, playing the runners-up of last year's Division A, Melville. This is going to be another tough game so come down and support the team!