Soccer: Chatham Cup draw released

Last year's Chatham Cup winners Miramar Rangers. Photo / Richard Robinson

The 84th edition of the Chatham Cup knockout soccer competition starts with a qualification round on April 25.

From Kerikeri to Waihopai, with all the Rovers, Rangers and Uniteds in between, 120 clubs from throughout the country have entered what has developed into one of the most compelling annual domestic sports competitions in New Zealand.

While southern region clubs cool their heels until the first round proper in mid May, the northern and central regions stir into action on Easter Monday with 23 fixtures.

Two of the three entrants from the Auckland Sunday League, Bohemian Celtic and Internationale, will square off which prevents at least one from emulating previous runs into the last 32, while perennial giantkillers Mt Albert Grammar will travel to meet Old Blues in Tauranga.

In the capital, Wellington College, who beat Porirua City 7-1 on March 26 in a preliminary match, have been drawn away to Waterside-Karori while fifth division Eastbourne will entertain two-time winners Wellington United.

The Chatham Cup is played along regional lines in the early rounds although this season the draw becomes national one round earlier than previous seasons with the final 16 teams entering an open fourth round draw.

Chatham Cup draw:-

Qualification round (April 25)

Northern region (Northern, Auckland and Waikato-BOP Football Federations): Ngongotaha v Rotorua United, Bohemian Celtic v Internationale, Western Springs v Kerikeri, Waikato Unicol v Beachlands Maraetai , Claudelands Rovers v Hamilton North, Taupo v Cambridge, Zamantix Rovers v Otumoetai, Pukekohe v Tauranga Boys College, Oratia United v Westlake Boys' High School, Clevedon v West Hamilton United, Norwest United v FOSS United, Old Blues v Mt Albert Grammar, Waitemata v Te Awamutu.

Byes to round one: Albany United, Birkenhead United, Eastern Suburbs, Ellerslie, Fencibles United, Glenfield Rovers, Hibiscus Coast, Lynn Avon United, Mangere United, Manurewa, Matamata Swifts, Mt Albert Ponsonby, Ngaruawahia United, North Shore United, Onehunga Mangere United, Papakura City, Papatoetoe, Takapuna, Tauranga City United, Waiuku, Warkworth.

Seeded to round two: Bay Olympic, Central United, East Coast Bays, Forrest Hill Milford United, Hamilton Wanderers, Melville United, Metro, Onehunga Sports, Three Kings United, Waitakere City.

Central region (Central and Capital Football Federations): Greytown v Waikanae, Wainuiomata v Seatoun, Naenae v Stop Out, Island Bay v Marist, Paekakariki v Kapiti Coast United, Eastbourne v Wellington United, Waterside Karori v Wellington College, Levin v North Wellington, Douglas Villa v Stokes Valley, University v Upper Hutt.

Seeded to round one (Central League clubs): Lower Hutt City, Olympic, Petone, Tawa, Wairarapa United, Western Suburbs.

Byes to round two (Central Federation clubs): Inglewood, Napier City Rovers, New Plymouth Rangers, Palmerston North End, Palmerston North Marist, Red Sox Manawatu, Taradale.

Seeded to round two (Chatham Cup champion): Miramar Rangers.

Southern region (Mainland Football and Football South)

Mainland Football
Teams starting in round one: Christchurch United, FC Twenty 11, FC Nelson, Ferrymead Bays, Halswell United, Mid Canterbury, Nelson Suburbs, Nomads United, Rangers, Richmond Athletic Waimak United, Western.

Seeded to round two: Coastal Spirit, Woolston Technical.

Football South
Teams starting in round one: Grant Braes, Green Island, Mornington, Northern, Northern Hearts, Old Boys, Pleasant Point, Queens Park, Roslyn Wakari, Southend United, University, Waihopai.

Seeded to round two: Caversham, Dunedin Technical.

Chatham Cup round dates:
Qualification round: April 25.
Round one: May 14-15.
Round two: June 6.
Round three: June 18-19.
Round four: July 2-3.
Quarterfinals: July 23-24.
Semifinals: August 13-14.
Final: August 27-28.

- NZPA