Matamata has been defeated 4-3 in a classic footballing encounter at Crown Park, Taupo. This match had everything: goals, penalties, yellowcards, red cards, as well as a decent helping of controversy. Truly a game for the neutral fan, but not something the coaching staff from either side would want to sit through every week.

The Swifts were terrible in the first half, coughing up a 3-0 lead the home side should have used to kill the game as a contest. The goals were soft and what was particularly frustrating is that they all originated from set pieces. Matamata was lucky not to be further behind at the break. The team was flatter than the fantastic Crown Park playing surface.

Instead of rolling over to die, the Swifts came roaring back with three goals in five minutes midway through the second half. Daniel Frischknecht's left footed strike capped off a period of Swifts dominance and gave his side a sniff. Two minutes later Colin Taylor, ranging forward from left back, was pole-axed in the box, winning his side a stone cold penalty, which was duly dispatched by Ged Parkinson.

The Swifts drew level three minutes later through substitute, Jason Collins. He burst through and was knocked over in the box. With both sides looking to the officials for a call - Matamata expecting another pen and Taupo dreading what should have come - Collins had the presence of mind to secure the ball and hook it home.

In the middle of this goal scoring frenzy, Matt Aberhart, in goal for Matamata on his Federation League debut, made a stunning save from the first of two incorrectly awarded penalties he ended up facing. This one came about after Daniel Frischknecht, lining up in the wall to defend a free kick, had been elbowed in the chest by a Taupo player. In the subsequent scramble he was deemed to have pushed the Taupo player to the ground.

Collins' goal should have set the Swifts up for victory, but there was a vicious sting in the tail of this match as Taupo were awarded another controversial late penalty which they used to secure the three points. Once again it came following a free kick. Somehow amongst all the usual 18-yard box jostling a foul was identified on a Taupo player, even though at least one Swifts defender had already been shoved to the ground.

Puzzling? Sure. But that's football. You earn your luck and, after their first half performance, Taupo will feel they deserved the win.

Tempers flared and almost boiled out of control after the final whistle. In the scramble, which was sparked by a late challenge on Swifts man of the match, Carlos Rodriguez, Matamata had Flavio Santis red carded when, on this particular day, any number of players from either side could have met with the same fate.

Despite this the match was generally a good honest tustle between two committed sides. It certainly didn't warrant the eight yellow cards and one red that were brandished in the second half. Both sides will be on the phone to the bank manager on Monday to find a way to pay fines that should have been avoided.

Both Matamata and Taupo were without key players. 2007 Federation League All Stars Ben Westerman, Bevan Woltersdorf (Taupo), Gary Darkes, Scott Parsonage and Alberto Romero (Matamata) were non-starters. The match proved that both clubs have strength in depth and will be looking to use it to progress further in the league this season.