Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts have scored a second successive 4-1 victory and it came on the back of a second half double strike by Mike Spencer. A strangely out of sorts Swifts side took a long time to get going and it wasn’t until well into the second half before they managed to run over the top of their feisty opponents.
Ngaruawahia arrived at the Domain ready to give Matamata a game of football. They were strong and quick around the park and this contributed to a below par opening from the Swifts in the slick and tricky conditions.
Matamata went ahead from the first real bit of football in the match. Jon Allen, demonstrating all that is great about his football, burst from midfield, combined well with Tim Miller and rifled his shot inside the far post. Only moments later an identical move saw Allen drive the ball into the upright.
The visitors drew level not long after half time after the Swifts were caught out down the middle. The Ngaruawahia striker took his chance well, tucking the ball past the advancing Tom Pamment and inside the upright.
Spencer's first goal was smashed home less than five minutes after the equaliser to ease the fears of the home fans. The linesman's flag went up for off-side, but the referee, Mark Ball, showed immense character and creditable common sense in over-ruling the flag as it wasn't Spencer who was in an off-side position.
Spencer's second goal, a great little solo effort as he shuffled past three defenders in the box, ten minutes later secured victory.
Alberto Romero and Andy Birchenough both had great chances to add to Matamata's lead as the Swifts strangled the life out of their visibly tiring opponents.
A hammering Tim Miller strike twelve minutes from the end, following good work down the left by teenage substitute Andrew Clothier, rounded out the scoring and gave the Swifts a certain measure of comfort as the clock ticked its way towards full time.
In the end this was a very good win for Matamata. As is usually the case in football, the scoreline didn't come close to telling an accurate story of the ebbs and flows of this match. Ngaruawahia came to play and for an hour they gave the Swifts a really good game of football.
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