Peter Vossen Builders Matamata Swifts have been dealt a hammer blow in their hopes to avoid relegation after being beaten 5-0 at Ellerslie and seeing Lynn Avon grab a point in their final game at North Force.

These two results mean Matamata must win their final two games if they hope to stay in NRFL division 1 for 2012. This will be a tough ask, particularly after a patched up Swifts team struggled to contain one of the league's high flyers.

The Swifts failed to effectively deal with the pace and movement of the Ellerslie front three and regularly left themselves way to open to attack. They had the reflexes and positioning of keeper, Tom Pamment, to thank for keeping the score down to five.

Ellerslie opened the scoring in the 8th minute when an unfortunate Jamie Baxter nicked a cross into his own net, then the hosts scored twice more within the space of a minute midway through the half to virtually ensure their victory.

The Swifts played some good stuff in patches and created several good first half openings. Stu Watene had a long range drive tipped around the post while Glen Carmichael planted a header just wide.

A coughing, spluttering, crippled Swifts side competed well during the second spell but gave up a couple more goals on this toughest of afternoon. The final goal came from the penalty spot with what was the last kick of the game to underline just how ruthless football can be at this level. Matamata was limited to long range efforts by the well marshalled Ellerslie defence.

Jon Allen completed his 50th game in Swifts colours with a typically powerful performance, while Harry Redwood, having completed a week of football for his school, was lively out wide. Jason Feck did well to complete 90 minutes with only one fully functioning achilles.

The Swifts have next weekend off and will have to use it to rest some injured bodies and attempt to flush out the flu bug that has ripped through the team. The final push for survival begins at home on September 10 when we host Manurewa.