Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts have been defeated 4-1 on their first visit to Glenfield Rovers. Once again it was a stark score line that said little about Matamata's contribution to the match, but said everything about the strength of the league.

The Swifts started well and Glen Carmichael saw an early shot turned onto the upright by Glenfield's keeper. Harry Redwood also had a good shot well saved before the match settled into a predictable pattern. Glenfield started to gather a greater share of the ball while the Swifts sat in and looked to hit the home side on the counter.

The opening goal came after the half hour mark when Glenfield worked a neat little one-two on the edge of the box before finishing well.

Matamata was almost level before the break. Mark Knell drove in a left footed shot from outside the box, which was finger-tipped over the bar.

Going into half time their was much for the Swifts to play for, but their hopes were destroyed within five minutes of the restart during which Glenfield scored twice. The second of these was more than a little off-side, though, which didn't help.

Harry Redwood gave the Swifts a glimmer of hope with a cool finish in the 55th minute. Glen Carmichael nodded on a through ball which Redwood collected, beat his man and then slammed home.

Moments later Stu Watene got in behind the defence and drilled in a superb cross which whistled only inches past Carmichael's head. Had that gone in it could have made things interesting.

Glenfield was always dangerous going forward and they grabbed a fourth goal to put the result beyond doubt.

A younger than usual Swifts squad competed well with their more highly rated opponents, which was pleasing given the challenges involved in getting a fit squad to travel this week. Matamata lost Bevan Woltersdorf, Danny Styles, Jason Feck and captain, Jon Allen, to injury, illness and work commitments in the days before the match. And to top things off Alberto Romero, who was due to make his return to the side, was involved in a car crash on the way to the game and so couldn't take the field. It never rains...

The fact the team created some good goal scoring opportunities was a positive and a nice change from the previous fixture against Albany. Jamie Baxter, in his first start of the season, Stu Watene and Eddie Kennedy were solid performers.

For all the positives it's now time the Swifts picked up a win if they're serious about staying in this league for 2012. That makes their next match against Whangarei's North Force the most important game of the season.