Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts have picked up their first point on the road this season after a 2-2 at Takapuna AFC. The Swifts led twice, scoring as early as the 2nd minute, but were pegged back on both occasions by a strong Takapuna performance.

Alberto Romero set the tempo for Matamata when he opened the scoring with a fine long range strike. His crisp drive from outside the area clipped a Takapuna defender on the way through, giving the home side’s keeper no chance.

It wasn’t long before Takapuna levelled it up. A cute cross to the far post caught the Swifts defence out and gave Takapuna a chance from close range, which they took.

The Swifts had a great opportunity to go ahead just before the break when Bevan Woltersdorf found himself free in the six-yard box. Unfortunately he couldn’t direct his header under the cross bar.

Substitute, Mark Knell, put the Swifts ahead in the 72nd minute after being played through by Andrew Clothier. The driving run and pass from Clothier put Knell in one-on-one with the keeper and his finish was calm, instinctive and lethal. Takapuna made it 2-2 with a blinding long range effort of their own to set up a tense final ten minutes. Neither side could be separated despite the hosts piling on some late pressure.

Tom Pamment, later named the Swifts’ player of the day, was at his commanding best in goal. He had no chance with either goal and put in an otherwise immaculate performance. Matamata’s back four was well organised while the central midfield duo of Jon Allen and Andy Birchenough gave the side a solid fulcrum.

Injuries meant a couple of players were required to play several different positions throughout the course of the match and the team adapted well to these disruptions.

Matamata has a mouth-watering home double-header over Easter, playing two of the sides favoured to win the league. On Saturday we host Birkenhead United and on Monday it’s Eastern Suburbs’ turn to visit the Domain.