Soccer: Past glory points to mismatch

In one corner, the new boys from Melville. In the other, craggy cup veterans University Mt Wellington. A lop-sided contest surely?

On paper, Sunday's Chatham Cup final should be seen by most as a cakewalk for the glamour Auckland club. It won't be if Melville's amazing run continues.

The first appearance by a Waikato club in the Chatham Cup final came in 1962, almost 40 years after one of this country's most enduring sporting contests was first played. The 4-1 win by Technical Old Boys over regular finalists Northern (Dunedin) hardly signalled the start of a great era. It took until 1988 for a team from the region to make it through again - Waikato United beating heavyweights Christchurch United in a two-leg affair.

Their winning streak ended four years later, losing 3-1 to Miramar Rangers. Melville are the first Waikato team since 1992 to make it through.

On the other hand Uni-Mount have one of the proudest records.

In their first cup final appearance in 1973, Mt Wellington were involved in one of the epics losing a second replay to Christchurch United after the final in Wellington ended 4-4 and the replay, in Christchurch, 1-1. In a controversial ending, the Mount went down 2-1 at Newmarket Park.

In the early 1980s the Panmure-based club made the cup almost their own.

In 1990 the old foes, Mt Wellington and Christchurch Utd, were at it again with the Aucklanders winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

As Waitakere City, Mt Wellington took a back seat through the 90s, re-emerging two years ago as University Mt Wellington to topple Central 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

Last five finals

1998: Central United 5 Dunedin Technical 2

1999: Dunedin Technical 4 Waitakere City 0

2000: Napier City Rovers 4 Central United 1

2001: University Mt Wellington 3 Central 3 (Uni-Mt won on pens)

2002: Napier City Rovers 2 Tauranga City 0