Swifts 1-3 Taupo

Recap

COMAG Matamata Swifts renewed a long-term rivalry on Saturday, as the club welcomed Taupo AFC to the Domain for the first time since July 2021.

After promotion to the NRFL Southern Conference, and beginning the season last Saturday with a 5-0 over Ngongotaha, thanks to goals from Blake Bibby 2, Jamie Baxter, Chris Abbott and Ethan Davis, this match was always going to be a step up for the Swifts. Taupo is consistently strong at this level and will be one of the favourites to lift the title.

The visitors were threatening throughout, but it was the Swifts who opened the scoring on 20 minutes. A quick counter attack put Chris Abbott in a position to cut inside and rifle home.

Taupo stepped up their game after the break. They equalised from a set piece the Swifts only half cleared, then went ahead from the penalty spot. The Swifts had their moments in search of another goal, but a fine finish sealed the victory margin for the visitors.

Blair Griffiths, sponsored by Scott Electrical, was solid at the back for Matamata, while Chris Abbott, Liam Costello and Ryan Le Roux looked good in advanced areas.

In the early game, the Swifts U23s picked up a well deserved three point, beating their Taupo counterparts 2-1. Reuben Davis opened the scoring for Matamata midway through the first half, before Crisrick Lander struck the winner only minutes after the visitors had pulled themselves level.