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Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts were dealt a lesson in the reality of the NRFL during this defeat at the hands of division 1 leaders, Ellerslie. The match was closer than the final score indicates, with goal scoring chances spread evenly, but the home side were far more clinical from their chances, both created and gifted.
The Swifts were out of the blocks quickly and looked the more likely side to score during the first quarter of the match. Stu Watene was at the heart of everything for Matamata, holding up the ball well and bringing his team mates into the match. Andy Cooper had a nice shot on the turn tipped just wide of the upright.
As the first half wore on the confident home side began to look more like league leaders. When they got the ball down they looked a good side and stretched the Swifts defence twice before they got the chance to go ahead from the penalty spot. Willie Mason was harshly judged to have fouled Ellerlie's star, with a regulation shoulder to shoulder challenge leading to the man in red sprawling just a little too easily to the ground. To make matters worse, the initial contact was outside the box. The spot kick was converted emphatically.
The second goal proved to be a killer, both in its execution and timing. The second half was barely a minute old when the Swifts defence failed to clear the ball and it
fell invitingly to Ellerslie's man of the match who drilled home his second of the game.
The match was killed off in the 76th minute when Ellerslie's striker grabbed his hat trick. It was the goal of the game, being a clinical drive from a good angle. Either side of the third goal Matamata created three great chances, which all fell to Mike Beard. He drove two of them narrowly wide while the third was superbly tipped on to his cross bar by an Ellerslie keeper determined to preserve his clean sheet.
So Matamata traveled back down the motorway having learned a thing or two about how they need to proceed from here on in. It was a decent Easter for Matamata, however, following the dominant performance at Cambridge on Saturday, so they head into their home game against the well performed North Force team with some confidence, although still searcing for the belief a few more goals will bring.
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