The team entered this game with some confidence having beaten a well organized Melville Old Boys team last week. A couple of changes were forced on the team through injury. Jamie Baxter moved back to left back and Rob Cox came into the midfield.

The team played the first half into a strong breeze and the sun. West Hamilton started strongly and grabbed a goal through an inch perfect clearance that landed at the strikers feet. He slotted this confidently.

Matamata then had the better of the final stages with the opposition finally committing suicide by hitting a looping back pass that their goalkeeper tried to dribble past the advancing Mike Spencer. He duly tackled him and slotted a left foot shot. Half time 1-1.

Ben Vowles came on up front for Mike in the second half. The Swifts had the perfect start with a goal to Matt Monteith within a couple of minutes. West Hamilton then dropped a sweeper deep and looked intent on relying on any counter attack to score. The Swifts defence managed to comfortably with most of these.

Alan Ferreira and Luis Maldonado then took hold of the midfield and tortured the defence. The final third of the field was a crowded place however and a goal didn’t eventuate until the final minute. Ben Vowles managed to weave his way through the defenders and scored with an acutely angled drive. This turned out to be the final kick of the game.

Thanks must go to the three officials who made the trip from Whakatane.