By Jack Sharp
Holders Christchurch United kick off the first game in this weekend’s first round proper of the 2024 Chatham Cup, when they host Canterbury rivals Western.
It’s a fitting game to launch the round of games with seven-time winners Christchurch United going head-to-head with Western, who are four-time winners of the trophy but last raised it in 1955.
The cup tie will be live streamed by Christchurch United through their YouTube channel:
Three more heavyweights of past Chatham Cups have home advantage.
Six-time winners North Shore United will play neighbours Takapuna in a local derby.
Cashmere Technical, who won the cup in 2021, will play Canterbury Premier League side Burwood.
Dunedin’s Northern club, who were founded in 1888 and claim to be the oldest continuously operating football club in the Southern Hemisphere, will host Waihopai in the first round.
Northern won the cup in 1959 and 1961.
Meanwhile, a few potential giantkillers get their chance against teams from higher leagues.
After beating Naenae 3-2 in the preliminary round, Greytown have been rewarded for their first-ever win in the Chatham Cup with an away tie at Tawa in the first round.
University of Auckland head to the Waikato to take on Lotto NRFL Championship side Ngaruawahia United, a side who’ll remember slipping up to lower-rated opposition before.
In the first round of the 2022 Chatham Cup, Ngaruawahia were knocked out of the cup by Sunday League side Sperm Whales, in the round’s biggest upset.
Fixtures
Games to be played on Friday May 10, 2023
Christchurch United v Western
United Sports Centre, Christchurch, 7pm
Metro v Oratia United
Phyllis St, Mt Albert, 7.30pm
Games to be played on Saturday Month , 2024
Palmerston North Marist v Havelock North Wanderers
Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North, 12pm
Te Awamutu v Waikato Unicol
The Stadium, Te Awamutu, 2pm
Ngaruawahia United v University of Auckland
Centennial Park, Ngaruawhia, 2pm
Beachlands Maraetai v West Auckland
Te Puru Park, Beachlands, 2pm
Hibiscus Coast v Waiuku
Stanmore Bay Park, Whangaparaoa, 2pm
Papatoetoe v Northern United
Murdoch Park, Papatoetoe, 2pm
Claudelands Rovers v Bucklands Beach
Galloway Park, Hamilton, 2pm
Waiheke United v Te Atatu
Onetangi Sports Complex, Waiheke, 2pm
Papakura City v Cambridge
McLennan Park, Papakura, 2pm
Taupo v Franklin United
Crown Park, Taupo, 2pm
Central United v Northland
Kiwitea St, Sandringham, 2pm
Northern Rovers v Mt Albert Ponsonby
McFetridge Park, Glenfield, 2pm
Albany United v South Auckland Rangers
Rosedale Park, Albany, 2pm
Onehunga Mangere United v Matamata Swifts
Mangere Centre Park, Mangere, 2pm
Ngongotaha v Manukau United
Tamarahi Reserve, Ngongotaha, 2pm
North Shore United v Takapuna
Allen Hill Stadium, Devonport, 2pm
Otumoetai v Te Puke United
Fergusson Park, Otumoetai, 2pm
Palmerston North United v Peringa United
Memorial Park, Palmerston North, 2pm
Paekakariki v Victory University
Campbell Park, Paekakariki, 2pm
Brooklyn Northern United v Upper Hutt City
Wakefield Park, Island Bay, 2pm
Stokes Valley v Seatoun
Fraser Park, Lower Hutt, 2pm
Tawa v Greytown
Redwood Park, Tawa, 2pm
Waimakariri United v UC Football
Kendall Park, Kaiapoi, 2pm
Nomads United v Halswell United
Tulett Park, Bishopdale, 2pm
Geraldine v Otago University
Geraldine Domain, Geraldine, 2pm
Green Island v Queens Park
Sunnyvale Park, Dunedin, 2pm
Thistle v Mosgiel
Venue TBC, 2pm
Wanaka v West End
Recreation Centre, Wanaka, 2pm
Northern Hearts v Grants Braes
Aorangi Park, Timaru, 2pm
Roslyn Wakari v Queenstown
Ellis Park, Dunedin, 2pm
Nelson Suburbs v Richmond
Saxton Fields, Nelson, 2.30pm
Tahuna v FC Nelson
Tahunanui, Nelson, 2.30pm
Cashmere Technical v Burwood
Garrick Memorial Park, Christchurch, 2.30pm
Ellerslie v Otorohanga
Michaels Ave, Ellerslie, 3pm
Selwyn United v Ferrymead Bays
Foster Park, Rolleston, 3pm
Northern v Waihopai
Caledonian Ground, Dunedin, 3pm
Waitemata v AFC Bohemian Celtic
McLeod Park, Te Atatu South, 5.30pm
Games to be played on Sunday May 12, 2024
Coastal Spirit v FC Twenty 11
Linfield Park, Bromley, 11am
Papamoa v Fencibles United
Gordon Spratt Reserve, Papamoa, 2pm
Byes
The following clubs receive byes in the first round:
Northern region: Auckland City, Western Springs, Birkenhead United, Eastern Suburbs, Bay Olympic, Auckland United, Manurewa, Tauranga City, East Coast Bays, Melville United, Hamilton Wanderers, West Coast Rangers.
Central region: Miramar Rangers, Wellington Olympic, Napier City Rovers, Western Suburbs, Waterside Karori, Wellington Phoenix Reserves, Petone, North Wellington, Island Bay United, Stop Out.
Southern region: Dunedin City Royals.
Key dates
Second round
Weekend of May 31-June 2, 2024
Third round
Weekend of June 14-16, 2024
Fourth round
Weekend of July 5-7, 2024
Quarter-finals
Weekend of July 26-28, 2024
Semi-finals
Weekend of August 16-18, 2024
Final
Sunday September 8, 2024
Jack Sharp
Jack Sharp is a long-time follower of club football in New Zealand and is a volunteer writer for Friends of Football. You can show your appreciation for his work by buying him a coffee.
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