Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts have been defeated 3-0 by Lynn Avon United in their latest NRFL division 1 match. Well constructed, yet avoidable, goals at the start of each half put the Swifts on the back foot and made victory harder to come by than it should have been.

Matamata toiled hard but the passes just wouldn’t stick, meaning that the service to the front two was limited. Lynn Avon’s constant pressing, which they did exceedingly well, coupled with the small pitch meant the Swifts players were constantly under pressure to play quality balls forward.

This all meant that a tired looking Swifts side barely fired a shot against their energetic opponents. Substitute Glen Carmichael’s late chance, one on one with the keeper, was the team’s best opportunity on the day.

Grant Cooper answered coach Lowry's SOS and put in a solid shift a centre-back. Brock Kayll made his Matamata debut and Ismail Awad, back from injury, came of the bench for his first minutes of the season.

The central midfield duo of captain Jon Allen and Mark Knell, who were both carrying niggling injuries, battled well through the 90 minutes.

Matamata is back home this Saturday to play Papatoetoe in a game that is crucial if the team is to get its season back on track.