Matamata Swifts 9 v Hamilton North 0

Matamata Swifts' 2004 Waikato Premier League season burst into life on Saturday following one of their most dominating performances in years. A more hard-nosed and pragmatic match day approach led to the Swifts over-running their youthful opponents and, in the process, running up their biggest victory since a 9-0 Northern League victory against Bucklands Beach in April 1994.

Matamata was set on the road to Hamilton North's ruin with an early Rodrigo Navarro strike. Nararro's looping header from the edge of the area, less than five minutes in, allowed the Swifts to settle and gave them the confidence to play the sort off football the side is capable of. Further first half goals to Jamie Cox (2) and Adam Graham sent the home side into the break with a four goal buffer and the prospect of more entertainment for their small, but loyal, group of fans.

Half time substitute Joe Alves, on for a limping Navarro, ran up a second half hat-trick, with the pick of his goals being a controlled chip from 30 yards out. Jamie Cox, in his first start of the season, duly completed a hat trick of his own with another poacher's strike near the end while Bevan Shelley, after a number of attempts, finally got himself on the score sheet with the final kick of the match.

The Swifts back four, with Colin Taylor and Marcelo Marquez, in particular, outstanding, provided a solid base from which the Swifts attackers could rip their opponents apart, while the new central midfield partnership of John Van Gog and man of the match, David Hyslop, was commanding.

In all honesty the Swifts should have racked up another half dozen goals, or more, such was the over-powering nature of their performance. But for the form of the visitor's goalie, and more than a little selfishness in the attacking third of the field, they would have. That was, however, only the slighest of blemishes on an otherwise magical autumn day at the Domain.

Swifts squad 1-Ian Moody; 13-Marcelo Marquez, 11-Dwayne Barlow, 4-Colin Taylor, 12-Scott Hudson; 15-Adam Graham (6-Jason Collins 75m), 14-John Van Gog (c) 9-David Hyslop, 8-Rodrigo Navarro (10-Joe Alves 46m); 7-Bevan Shelley, 5-Jamie Cox.
Sub not used: 3- Rob Cox

Other results
Cambridge 4 v West Hamilton 1
Claudelands 2 v Tokoroa 0
Wanderers 2 v Putaruru 3
Ngaruawahia (Bye).