Neutral fans spoilt for choice as Chatham Cup’s third round gets underway

posted in: Chatham Cup, News |

By Max Fletcher

The prospect of extra time, penalty shootouts and a few upset results makes for some difficult decisions for spectators wanting Chatham Cup action this weekend.

The third round of action in football’s oldest club competition will no doubt produce some tense games, and plenty of goals.

Here are five cup ties tipped to be crowd-pleasers this weekend:

Tauranga City v Eastern Suburbs
Links Ave, Mt Maunganui, 2pm

*Tauranga City coach Barry Gardiner … his side hosts unbeaten Eastern Suburbs. Photo: David Joseph / Phototek.*

This game could produce an upset with Tauranga City showing their credentials when beating Northern League side Manukau United 6-0 last weekend.

It showed they can compete with the teams in the top tier, including Northern League leaders Suburbs.

Though Eastern Suburbs are in top form, and are unbeaten this season, they’ll need to bring their A-game to Tauranga or risk a demoralising drive home.

The locals are sure to get behind Barry Gardiner’s teams and Suburbs will know they’ve been in a game.

Waterside Karori v Western Suburbs
Karori Park, Karori, 2pm

An all-Central League affair which ensures one top team from that region will out of the cup by Saturday evening.

Last time these sides met in the league they drew 2-2 so this game is going to be a close one for sure.

With Western Suburbs sitting second-equal on the Central League ladder, they will surely want a great cup run this year and try to repeat the heroics that took them to the 2019 final.

Takapuna v Melville United
Taharoto Park, Takapuna, 2pm

*A youthful Melville United side are rebuilding this season but will fancy a good cup run. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.*

These sides met in the Northern League last weekend, with the sides picking up a point each in a 1-1 draw.

Both sides will be hungry to get this game finished in 90 minutes and get through to the Round of 16.

Melville are aiming to reach the Round of 16 for the second consecutive year.

Former Tauranga City player Ry McLeod could be the man to get the job done for Melville. McLeod (19) is having a standout season for Melville and his individual performance could inspire the Waikato side to get over the line.

Napier City Rovers v Stop Out
Bluewater Stadium, Napier, 2pm

Another game where the teams played each other in last weekend’s round of league games, with Napier beating Stop Out 4-1 in that match.

Stop Out will be up for Sunday’s game after upsetting Miramar Rangers on penalties in the last round.

It’s been a long time between drinks for Stop Out, who have not won a senior men’s title since they claimed the Central Premier League crown in 2014.

They won the Chatham Cup in 1956, their jubilee year, beating Shamrock 4-1. Maybe, just maybe, this will be their year …

West Coast Rangers v Hamilton Wanderers
Huapai Domain, Kumeu, 2pm

*Hamilton Wanderers Derek Tieku … averaging more than a goal a game. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.*

This game should be a cracker of a match, with both teams struggling to find consistency in the Northern League, and capable of playing open, end-to-end football.

They have met twice this season.

West Coast won the first game 3-1 and Wanderers came out on top 3-2 in the return game, a couple of weeks ago.

Last year’s Golden Boot winner Derek Tieku is on fire for Wanderers this campaign, scoring an impressive 14 goals in 12 league matches.

First job for Rangers is to figure out how to contain Tieku, if they want to have any chance of going through to the last 16.