A superb volleyed goal from Adam Graham proved to be the difference for Matamata in this crucial Waikato Premier League (WPL) clash with Claudelands Rovers.

Graham broke the deadlock midway through the second half of this match between two sides that entered the day level in second place in the WPL. The win, coupled with WPL leaders, Otorohanga, losing means the Swifts are now only one point off the top of the table and right back in the title race.

It would be fair to say this was not the Swifts' best performance of the season. They weren't great for much of the match, finding it difficult to break into their usual free-flowing style of football. This was due as much to the quality of their opponents' football as their own lethargy. The passing repeatedly missed the mark as the side, having had last Saturday off, looked like a team short of match play.

Given the performance, this was a lucky victory for Matamata. Having said that, the team has played much better in other games this season without coming away with victory, so this was probably a case of things evening themselves out.

Despite the performance, Matamata created enough chances to win. They hit the woodwork twice during the first half, through Graham and Ged Parkinson, and also saw an Alberto Romero free kick superbly saved. At the other end, Swifts goalie, Gary Darkes, was kept busy by the lively Claudelands attack but he, along with man of the match, Parkinson, were chiefly responsible for repulsing everything their opponents threw at them.

Matamata were better after the break but still struggled to carve out more than a handful of openings as it became more and more likely that a mistake or a moment of brilliance would decide the match. Thankfully for Matamata it was a moment of brilliance as Graham swept an Andy Birchenough corner home through a crowded penalty area to secure the three points.

While the match wasn't exactly World Cup standard it was every bit as tense and tight as some of the football that has been on our TV screens over the last month. A perfect local curtain-raiser, you might say, to the big game between Italy and France played on Monday morning.