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Matamata Swifts have maintained their 100% home record by securing a good win over Otumoetai FC. The Swifts were made to work hard for their victory by a determined defensive effort from the visitors. The football was good, however, and the Swifts managed to grab a couple of goals to ensure victory and improve morale.
There were another couple of changes to the Swifts starting eleven for the match, as seems to be the way lately. Tim Miller came back in following his injury-enforced layoff, while Ged Parkinson  slotted in at the back after a month away from the game. Both players looked as if they had not been out of the side and each got through a solid 90 minutes work.
Matamata started well, prodding, probing and knocking the ball around on the improved Matamata Domain surface. Otumoetai set their stall out to limit any potential damage and they did this well, defending in numbers and throwing their bodies on the line in defense of their goal.
Matamata should have been ahead midway through the first half. Andrew Taylor, ranging forward from right back, was played in and somehow managed to hit the cross bar from right out in front. Soon after, however, the anxiety levels were reduced when Mark Knell lobbed the keeper with just enough force for the ball to cross the line, despite a couple of defenders doing their best to hook the ball to safety. This was the breakthrough the home fans had been crying out for.
The second 45 minutes were much the same as the first although, if anything, the Swifts created more chances. Tim Miller struck a couple of powerful shots from distance, as did Jon Allen and Mike Spencer. Mark Abbs hit a 15 metre shot so well that it flew straight to the keeper, when a miskick would probably have gone in. Substitute, Neil Slater, had two good late chances.
Matamata finally doubled their lead right on the final whistle. Jon Allen, captain for the day in the absence of Andy Birchenough, drilled in a 20 metre skimmer that was past the visiting keeper before he had time to get across to it.
The Swifts had the bulk of the possession throughout the match, limiting the visitors to only a couple of shots from distance and not a solitary corner. A couple more goals would have been nice for Matamata, but the victory was all important after a recent lean run.
The midfield shone for the Swifts, with Jon Allen and Mark Abbs running the show and Alberto Romero adding his usual clutch of masterful touches. Mike Spencer ran himself into the ground down the left, while Andrew Taylor did the same down the right. Miller and Knell combined well up front, but found it tough against the massed ranks of Otumoetai.
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Above 'It wasn't me...'