Matamata Swifts strode to the top of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Federation League table with a comfortable victory over lowly Ngongotaha.

The first home game of the season was far from a classic as the substandard Domain surface and dogedly determined opponents frustrated the Swifts for long periods.

The opening goal came early. Thankfully. Matamata striker, Andre Freitas, was ruled to have been shoved over in the box, earning the Swifts a penalty that Ged Parkinson dispatched with the minimum of fuss.

The Swifts threatened to add to their lead before the break but couldn't find the crucial second goal. Daniel Frischknect, on early for a hamstrung Alberto Romero, was dangerous down the right, while Leo Pardini and Flavio Santis added the flair up front.

A couple of good old fashioned goal mouth scrambles came to nothing for Matamata, while some of the decision making was lazy, at best, and scandalous, at worst.

It took the Swifts nearly twenty minutes in the second half to add to their lead. Andre Freitas smashed home his first league goal for the club before being immediately substituted so the medical staff could tend to an injury.

Carlos Rodriguez stroked home the third, pouncing on the rebound following a stinging Andrew Taylor shot from distance, before Frischknect tapped the ball into an empty net after Pardini had hit the upright.

Gareth Clark made a telling contribution from the bench, being involved in the final two goals to ensure it ended up being a good afternoon at the Domain. The visitors, playing a village version of catennaccio, were well organised defensively and made the Swifts work hard for the points.

Matamata travels to Taupo this Saturday to play the defending champions. As well as the three points that are up for grabs, the Swifts will have their eyes on the Challenge Shield, which Taupo has held since the beginning of the 2007 season.