Swifts 0-3 Te Puke

Recap

The Swifts needed a result against Te Puke after a troubled recent run, but instead went behind early to a close range header. The visitors doubled their lead from a free-kick midway through the half from a goal that owed as much to a disintegrating defensive wall as it did the fine dead ball strike.

As has often been the case this season, the Swifts had a lot of the ball and created quality chances but were unable to capitalise. Matamata was handed a way back into the match not long before the break when they were awarded a penalty, but it was blasted over the bar and the chance to improve the mood was lost.

Te Puke continued to offer more urgency than the Swifts for large stages of the second half but, despite that, Matamata created the bulk of the clear-cut and half chances. Nothing went in however, as the visiting keeper pulled off several good saves while Matamata even contrived to miss an open goal from close range. It was another one of those days.

The visitors secured their victory midway through the second half after a rare break out led to a fine cross shot finish that underlined the work Matamata now needs to do to start moving back up the table.