Metso Matamata Swifts began preparations for their Federation League campaign with a good workout in Pukekohe. The Swifts side contained some new faces and took a little while to get going, which was to be expected in their first run of the pre-season.

Gareth Clark opened the scoring on the 35 minute mark, before Pukekohe scored at either end of the second half. Between the two Pukekohe strikes the Swifts were repeatedly denied by the home team's superb young keeper. Clark and newcomer, Leo Regulado, suffered on a couple of occasions each, while Scott Parsonage and Alberto Romero both had long range efforts go just wide.

The Swifts were able to introduce James Emerson, at the back, and 14 year old winger, Andrew Clothier, during the second half. They both played the first half for the reserves before stepping up and letting coach, Duncan Lowry, have a decent look at them. Clothier was impressive, particularly for someone so young.

In wet, windy and bumpy conditions a footballing feast was never on the cards. Both coaches will have taken plenty from the match, not least Lowry who will know there is still much work for his side to do before their league season kicks off.

Players from the 2007 squad who missed the game included Ged Parkinson, Colin Taylor, Neil Slater, Michael Spencer and Daniel Frischknecht, along with Jason Collins and Dima Slack who both played a full, impressive, 90 minutes for the reserves.

Swifts squad: Gary Darkes; Andrew Taylor, Anthony Wright, Duncan Lowry; Andrew Jordan, Carlos Rodriguez, Andy Birchenough, Scott Parsonage; Alberto Romero; Gareth Clarke, Grant McIlmurray. Subs: Leo Regulado, James Emerson, Andrew Clothier.


Swifts Reserves

The Swifts Reserves, playing at the same time as the first team, gave new coach Marcelo Marquez the perfect start to his senior coaching career. The reserves started strongly but only had a solitary Dima Slack strike to show for their efforts at the break. Pukekohe levelled it up from the penalty spot just after half time before the reserves ran away with things.

Goal hungry 16 year old striker, Dima Slack, completed his hat trick, while Ben Vowles and Mike Collins also scored. Jason Collins, more recently sighted playing up front for the first team, put in a good shift at the back, adding leadership and experience to an otherwise largely youthful line-up.

The reserves were missing several 2007 regulars. Captain, Pete Challis, and leading scorer, Jono Monteith, were noticable absentees, while Allan Ferreira, Jamie Baxter, Nickco Kampshoff and Matt Monteith were also unavailable.

Swifts Reserves squad: Matt Aberhart; Dai Lowry, Jason Collins, James Emerson, Chris Bedggood; Richard Lor, Mike Collins, Luis Maldonado, Andrew Clothier; Dima Slack, Ben Vowles. Subs: Nigel Hatfield, Chris Bedford, Andrew Taylor.