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Matamata Swifts knocked off one of the pretenders to the Federation League title throne with victory and a thoroughly professional performance in Whakatane. A classy goal in each half from leading scorer, Andre Freitas, secured the points for a Matamata side that is purring along nicely as the season nears the business end.
The Swifts made only one change from last Saturday's match, with Ged Parkinson back from suspension and in for player/coach, Duncan Lowry, who chose to rest himself ahead of the important  matches that loom in the weeks to come. It was a bold move but one that need not have worried the travelling fans.
On this day Matamata was just too good and too experienced for the home side, who spent most of the game kicking black socks rather than white footballs. This was more or less expected, as much of Whakatane's success this season has come about through their physicality and determination. In this match, however, the Swifts defence just wore their opponents down, keeping the pressure on and allowing Freitas to take his chances when they came.
A first half of few opportunities turned Matamata's way just before the break when Freitas spung high at the back post to head home another Andy Birchenough corner. It was a sweet finish from a player who just seems to be getting better as the season goes on.
Just prior to this, Whakatane had struck the cross bar directly from an indirect free kick. While this got the home crowd excited it wouldn't have counted had it gone in. That was about the closest they came all day to troubling the scorers.
Freitas' and Matamata's second goal came with fifteen minutes of normal time remaining. A quick counter and a sweet pass from his strike partner, Leo Pardini, played Freitas in and his finish was as cool as you like. Almost as special was Pardini's rampage down the clubroom's touch line in celebration.
All hope of a home town revival was lost when their player coach, Werner Reichsteiner, having won an attacking free kick, lashed out at young Daniel Frischknect in frustration. The red card was inevitable.
Once again the Swifts defensive unit reigned supreme. Gary Darkes in goal was just busy enough to keep himself interested, while the back four, led superbly by Ged Parkinson was a wall on which the Whakatane attacks continually broke down. Jason Collins was a rock next to Parkinson while the two young full backs, Andrew Taylor and Scott Parsonage, matched the variety of attacking options the home side threw at them.
Gareth Clark had another good match in an unfamiliar wide midfield role, while the front two of Freitas and Pardini were threatening all day.
The Swifts should finally return to the Domain this coming Saturday when they are scheduled to take on Hamilton Wanderers. Weather permitting (and it should) kick-off is at 2.45pm.
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