After regional-based draws in the early rounds, the Chatham Cup becomes national at the quarterfinal stage. But the draw for the last eight, made live on Radio Sport, has a distinctly regional feel to it with two all-Auckland clashes, a South Island battle and a Wellington derby.
In the capital, Wellington United’s player-coach and former Miramar stalwart Graham Little will lead his side back out at David Farrington Park take on his old club, who currently sit a division and a half above United in the regional football pyramid.
East Coast Bays, champions in 2008, take on near neighbours Glenfield Rovers, who were beaten semi-finalists that same year.
A third North Shore club, Forrest Hill Milford, who lost to eventual champions Olympic in the quarterfinals last season, will look to go at least one round further when they entertain Bay Olympic at Becroft Park.
Dunedin giants Caversham have brushed aside all challengers at home but their first away cup tie this season, to Christchurch’s Ferrymead Bays, will be a much tougher ask.
The draw for the semi-finals of the Women’s Knockout Cup was not as kind, with Auckland’s Three Kings United drawn away to Marist in Wellington and Hamilton’s Claudelands Rovers sent to Christchurch for the second straight year, this time away to Halswell.
Chatham Cup Quarterfinals, July 24/25
Venues provisional
Forrest Hill Milford v Bay Olympic, Becroft Park
Ferrymead Bays v Caversham, Barnett Park
East Coast Bays v Glenfield Rovers, Bay City Park
Miramar Rangers v Wellington United, David Farrington Park
Women’s Knockout Cup Semi Finals, August 7/8
Venues provisional
Halswell United v Claudelands Rovers, Halswell Domain
Marist v Three Kings United, Kilbirnie Park
Story courtesy of NZF Media.
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