The reserves travelled to Te Awamutu for their first away fixture of the season. On paper it should have been a comfortable win but as they say you don't play on paper, just a bumpy field known as The Stadium or in winter as 'The Stadium of Mud'.

Chris Bedford was the last one into the changing sheds so he was goalie for the first half. Matamata started brightly and should have had a couple of goals within the first couple of minutes. As often happens these misses helped the opposition gain confidence. They were playing with a stiff breeze at their backs and used these conditions to pressure the Matamata goal.

A goal eventually came when an attacker turned the last defender well and put an unstoppable shot past the goalie. Half time, one nil down.

Chris came out of goal for the second half and Jono Monteith was 'volunteered' into it. Joal Chamberlain came on for some extra pace up front.

With the wind at their backs the reserves applied the pressure in the second half. A goal duly came mid way through the half with Matty Monteith heading in a great goal. He was surprised as anyone as heading would not be descibed as a strength.

A second goal would not come and Te Awamutu grabbed a winner when Marcelo Marquez again handled the ball. The resulting penalty was well taken. I wonder how Marcelo is going to play next week when I tie both arms behind his back.

The official declined to book him and had a good game apart from being very particular in how you threw the ball in.

Matamata Swifts Reserves Chris Bedford; Michael Collins, Pete Challis, Marcelo Marquez; Joseph Dew, Rob Cox, Andy Monteith, Adrian Phillips; David Hyslop; Jono Monteith, Matt Monteith.
Subs Joel Chamberlain, Jamie Cox.