The Chatham Cup is set to conjure more upsets and drama with 24 second-round ties due to get underway on Queen’s Birthday Monday.
If Monday’s games are anything like the half dozen ties played on Friday/Saturday — in which four went to extra time — spectators will benefit from their search for live football.
As always, the draw has come up with some tempting ties — and here are our tips for the neutral spectator looking for cup entertainment in the north.
Note the earlier-than-usual kick-off times for games being hosted by Nelson Suburbs and Taupo.
North Shore United v Cambridge
Shore are having a poor season and currently prop up the foot of the Northern League table, having conceded 52 goals in their first 12 games of the season, including a 7-0 loss on Saturday to Bay Olympic.
A cup win against Lotto NRFL second division side Cambridge could kick-start their season, building confidence at the Devonport club.
On the other hand, Cambridge have nothing to lose and will fancy an upset after beating first division Onehunga Mangere United in the first round.
Roll the dice on this one … and don’t be surprised if there are plenty of goals.
West Coast Rangers v Waiheke United
Rangers were relegated from the Northern League last year and now they get the chance to play the side that replaced them.
Since last year, both sides have experienced a change in fortunes.
Rangers are clear leaders in the Lotto NRFL first division, with the tightest defence in the north, while Waiheke go into the long weekend without a league win this year.
Rangers have conceded only five goals so far this season and Waiheke hardly have the goalscoring record to put that under threat.
Main photo: Rangers can expect strong home support for their tie against Waiheke United. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Sperm Whales v Metro
UPDATE: A late change was made to this fixture, transferring the game from Seymour Park to Metro’s Phyllis St ground with a 2.15pm kick-off.
The Sunday league side known as the ‘Spunkies’ have caught the imagination of football followers after two upset wins to reach the second round.
In their preliminary round, they beat Northland Community Division 1 side Whangarei FC in a penalty shoot-out that ended 8-7 in their favour.
In the first round, they beat Lotto NRFL second division outfit Ngaruawahia United 2-1 thanks to a late penalty.
Now they aim a division higher, facing Metro.
Metro have been inconsistent this season, usually faring better when playing at home and under lights.
No such advantage this weekend and the Whales must be in with a chance.
Click here to meet the Sperm Whales (‘a bunch of mates who love playing football together’) >>>>
Hamilton Wanderers v Takapuna
Waikato spectators can see these two Northern League sides go head-to-head at Porritt Stadium.
Both have been entertaining this season and promoted Takapuna have been able to match any side on their day.
Wanderers got a sniff of cup success early this year when their women reached the final of the Kate Sheppard Cup — that will have spurred on their men’s team.
Wanderers won 5-1 at Western Springs on Saturday, while Takapuna lost 4-0 at Eastern Suburbs.
For all their recent successes, neither side has ever won the Chatham Cup. Maybe this year …
Manurewa v Birkenhead United
Manurewa have been steadily improving since a rocky start to their Lotto NRFL first division season.
They have moved into second place on the league table, with the division’s most successful offence, scoring 24 goals in their 11 games so far.
Importantly, they don’t rely on any individual goalscorer with eight different goalscorers this year, led by All White Monty Patterson with six.
Birkenhead United sit second in the Northern League and while still looking for a talismanic striker to replace All White Alex Greive, they have two promising goalscorers in Cameron Mackenzie and Nick Forrester.
Both clubs have a Chatham Cup tradition with Manurewa winning the competition in 1978 and 1984, while Birkenhead lifted the trophy in 2016 and 2018.
Western Springs v Manukau United
The second all-Northern League tie of the round, form suggests Springs should go into the game as favourites.
The only hiccup is that the tie is at Crum Park, one of a number of Springs ‘home’ games played at other grounds while their Seddon Fields pitches are being resurfaced.
Manukau were cleaned out 4-0 by BIrkenhead United last weekend and the question is whether they can reclaim their confidence in two games over the long weekend.
Manukau scraped home 3-2 against lowly Waiheke United on Saturday while Birkenhead drew 1-1 with Auckland United.
This could be close; extra time a possibility; a penalty shoot-out wouldn’t surprise.
Here are all the round two fixtures:
Monday fixtures
June 6, 2022
Nelson Suburbs v Coastal Spirit
Saxton Field, Nelson
Kick-off 12-noon
Taupo v Bay Olympic
Crown Park, Taupo
Kick-off 12.30pm
West Coast Rangers v Waiheke United
Fred Taylor Park, Whenuapai
Kick-off 2pm
Manurewa v Birkenhead United
Jellicoe Park, Manurewa
Kick-off 2pm
North Shore United v Cambridge
Allen Hill Stadium, Devonport
Kick-off 2pm
Claudelands Rovers v Papamoa
Galloway Park, Hamilton
Kick-off 2pm
Franklin United v Melville United
Dr John Lightbody Reserve, Tuakau
Kick-off 2pm
Sperm Whales v Metro
Seymour Park, Auckland
Kick-off 2pm
Hamilton Wanderers v Takapuna
Porritt Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off 2pm
Auckland United v West Hamilton United
Keith Hay Park, Mt Roskill, Auckland
Kick-off 2pm
West Auckland v Bucklands Beach
Brains Park, Auckland
Kick-off 2pm
Mt Albert Ponsonby v Eastern Suburbs
Anderson Park, Auckland
Kick-off 2pm
Ngongotaha v Central United
Tamarahi Reserve, Ngongotaha
Kick-off 2pm
Fencibles United v Northern Rovers
Riverhills Park, Pakuranga, Auckland
Kick-off 2pm
Western Springs v Manukau United
Crum Park, Auckland
Kick-off 2pm
East Coast Bays v Tauranga City
Bay City Park, Auckland
Kick-off 2pm
Whanganui Athletic v Wellington Olympic
Wembley Park, Wanganui
Kick-off 2pm
FC Nelson v Nelson Suburbs
Victory Square, Nelson
Kick-off 2pm
Cashmere Technical v Selwyn United
Garrick Memorial Park, Christchurch
Kick-off 2pm
Dunedin City Royals v Queenstown
Dunedin Artificial Turf, Dunedin
Kick-off 2pm
Roslyn Wakari v Mosgiel
Ellis Park, Dunedin
Kick-off 2pm
Otago University v Green Island
Dunedin Artificial Turf, Dunedin
Kick-off 2pm
Queens Park v Northern
Surrey Park, Invercargill
Kick-off 2pm
Auckland City v Albany United
Kiwitea St, Sandringham, Auckland
Postponed in line with COVID-19 protocols — to be rescheduled prior to round 3 fixtures.
Parklands United v Coastal Spirit
Parklands Reserve, Christchurch
Postponed in line with COVID-19 protocols — to be rescheduled prior to round 3 fixtures.
Results
Click here for match reports from Friday/Saturday matches >>>>
Friday June 3, 2022
Ferrymead Bays 3 (Ryan Stanley 60′, 97′, own goal 81′)
Christchurch United 2 (Mika Rabuka 37′, Daniel Maclennan 89′)
*After extra time
Saturday June 4, 2022
Tawa 1 (Lachlan Hill 63′)
Western Suburbs 4 (Fraser Brown 38′, 94′, Jack O’Connor 109′, Norman Garbett 113′)
*After extra time
Lower Hutt City 1 (Felix Van Hattum 46′)
Wellington United 1 (Matthew Fong 58′)
*Wellington United won 4-3 on penalties after extra time
Wainuiomata 0
North Wellington 7 (Lachlan Fay 14′, own goals 49′, 61′, Elvis Imarhiagbe 65′, Joseph Hopper 68′, Riley Manuel 78′, Ahmed Othman 86′)
Petone 2 (Kieran McMinn 55′, 75′)
Napier City Rovers 4 (Karan Mandair 42′, Liam Schofield 90+1′ pen, Leaford Allen 101′, Zac Madsen 113′)
*After extra time
Palmerston North Marist 4 (Nicholas Carrick 25′, Mason Charlton 54′, Melvin Rumere 62′, 84′)
Island Bay United 3 (Henry Lenihan-Geels 9′, 90+4′, Nahum McPhee 12′)
Waterside Karori P
Miramar Rangers P
*Postponed due to unplayable pitch
Upper Hutt City P
Wellington Marist P
*Postponed till June 11 in line with COVID-19 protocols