Matamata Swifts 1 v Wanderers 2

Metso Matamata Swifts began the second round of the Waikato Premier League season in exactly the same way as they had started the season; with a one goal loss to Hamilton Wanderers.

Following on from last weekend's exhibition of fantasy football, the Swifts supporters could have been forgiven for expecting more of the same. Instead, while not lacking in effort, they got a below par performance as Matamata struggled to break down a well organised and committed opponent.

A couple of Swifts mistakes during the first 20 minutes allowed the visitors to build an important, and ultimately game winning, two-goal buffer. Matamata grabbed a goal soon after, through top scorer Joe Alves, to get themselves back into the match, but that proved to be all they could muster.

The anticipated second half revival never came, although the Swifts always looked the more likely team to score. Unfortunately things just didn't quite work out for them, even though Bevan Shelley went close to snatching a dramatic late equaliser.

The Swifts will view this as a lost opportunity, although the manner of their defeat should not be lost on them. While they have scored goals for fun against the lower placed sides, they have struggled to break down a couple of their more organised opponents.

Best for Matamata was the midfield dynamo, and man of the match, David Hyslop, while Bevan Shelley and Joe Alves toiled hard up front for little ultimate reward.

Swifts squad 1-Dave Taylor; 11- Steve Beattie, 15-Alberto Romero, 4-Colin Taylor, 13-Marcelo Marquez (3-Emerson Fuchs 82m); 12-Scott Hudson, 14-John Van Gog (c), 9-David Hyslop, 5-Jamie Cox (6-Jason Collins 65m); 7-Bevan Shelley, 10-Joe Alves (8-Rodrigo Navarro 75m).

Other results
Claudelands 2 v Putaruru 1
Ngaruawahia 8 v West Hamilton 0
Tokoroa 2 v Hamilton North 0
Cambridge (Bye).