Putaruru 0 v Matamata Swifts 4

Matamata Swifts moved up to second place in the Waikato Premier Division with a resounding 4-0 win in Putaruru. The victory got Matamata's campaign back on track after last weekend's defeat and was also sweet retribution for the early season home loss to the same side.

The Swifts had the game wrapped up by the break thanks to a dominating first half performance. Top scorer, Joe Alves, moved into double figures for the season with two more goals, either side of a penalty from strike partner, Bevan Shelley. Jason Collins completed the scoring when he got on the end of another incisive Matamata counter-attack.

In all honesty, the Swifts should have doubled their lead during the second half. Alves and Shelley, along with David Hyslop and Scott Hudson, were all denied the opportunity of adding to the goal tally, but by then it didn't really matter. Matamata was just pleased to get off the swamp the match was played on without any real damage to their players or their own goal.

Putaruru had their moments and kept the Swifts rear guard honest. Dave Taylor was faultless in goal, dealing with pretty much everything that came his way. Colin Taylor, playing with a heavy dose of the flu, and man of the match, Steve Beattie, helped ensure the Swifts kept another clean sheet.

Matamata have a well-earned day off this weekend. It's a good opportunity to recharge the batteries for their six-match run in to the end of the season.

Swifts squad 1-Dave Taylor; 11- Steve Beattie, 16-Dwayne Barlow, 4-Colin Taylor, 12-Scott Hudson; 6-Jason Collins (13-Scott Parsonage 65m), 14-John Van Gog (c), 9-David Hyslop, 5-Jamie Cox; 7-Bevan Shelley, 10-Joe Alves.

Other results
Hamilton North 0 v Cambridge 4
Wanderers 0 v Ngaruawahia 3
West Hamilton 6 v Tokoroa 2
Claudelands (Bye).