Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts have been defeated 4-1 in Auckland by Eastern Suburbs. As stark as the scoreline sounds, and as average as the Swifts were during much of the first half, this match swung decidedly the home team's way during the moments surrounding a key non-decision by the match officials. More on that soon.

Matamata was forced into more changes for this match, with regulars Jason Feck and Alberto Romero unavailable due to injury and illness. So Mike Spencer came back into the side after a long spell out due to his own injury and Glen Carmichael slotted in up front.

The personnel and positional changes seemed to have an effect as Matamata started slowly. The Swifts weren't great during much of the first spell and ended up coughing up a couple of avoidable goals and having keeper, Tom Pamment, to thank for saving a couple more good Suburbs chances. Matamata did manage to use the breeze to force a string of corners but weren't able to profit.

In the minutes leading up to the break, however, the Swifts got themselves back in the match. Glen Carmichael burst into the box then was deemed to have been brought down for a penalty. Eddie Kennedy stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot. Right on half time Carmichael found himself in a shooting position again but hit the side netting.

The Swifts were much better at the start of the second half. Suburbs appeared to be prepared to coast, while Matamata finally started to press forward and properly open up their defence. Stu Watene created Matamata's best chance during this period, driving a cross to Mike Spencer at the far post, who lofted his shot over an open goal.

The key talking point in this match came twenty minutes into the second half. Carmichael was played in through a static Suburbs defence then made a perfect run across the front of the final defender. He was clipped on the edge of the box, brought down and...nothing was given.

The ball spilled to Suburbs and, with many of the Matamata players arguing for the blatant obviousness of the foul and red card, they raced up the other end of the field and extended their lead to 3-1.

So instead of Suburbs being down to ten men and the Swifts lining up a free kick from the edge of the area, or possibly even their second penalty, it was basically game over.

Suburbs padded out their lead late on when a communication error by Matamata at the back let them in one on one with Pamment and they made no mistake.