Record Equalling Win In 100th Anniversary Of Chatham Cup,

Christchurch United joined University Mt Wellington on top of the all-time winners of the Chatham Cup with seven wins. It was a drama filled Final at North Harbour Stadium on Sunday against Hamilton's Melville United. Christchurch United had to battle for their record equalling win after Melville stormed home after the break to turn around a two-goal half-time deficit after United had dominated the opening half.  

The game started at a hectic pace with United taking the lead in the 11th minutes when a good cros. from Matt Todd-Smith was turned in the goal by sixteen-year-old defender Lucca Lim. Both Daniel MacLennan and Eoghan Stoke then went close for United before Jago Godden hit the post from a Sam Philip cross. United continued to dominate possession and forced three back-to back corners in the 35th minute with the pressure finally telling with Melville's, George Brown conceding the second own goal with Godden in close attention.  United had several more chances before the break to take the game away from Melville. At the other end United keeper, Scott Morris hardly had anything to do.

Melville come out fighting after the break and started to put pressure on the United goal. Melville had a good patch on the hour mark with Morris saving a long range free-kick and then saw a cross drift across the goal mouth, but no one could get a touch on the ball. MacLennan then had a shot blocked by Eric Panzer with the rebound falling to Todd-Smith who's shot by parried away by keeper Max Tommy towards United's Joel Peterson who put the ball over the bar. 

The momentum then started to fall in favour of the Hamilton side and in the 73rd minute United could only manage to half clear their limes with Lim involved in the movement twice before curling the ball into the United goal with a left foot shot. Melville's Ry McLeod then saw his shot go over the crossbar with four minutes to play. There was plenty of drama in added time which first saw MacLennan hit the post with the rebound allowing Melville to go in the quick counterattack with Panzer racing down the left flank and his cross was headed wide. In the eighth and final minute of added time, Melville received a freekick and sent their keeper up the field. The freekick rebounded off a United player for Tommy to bundle the ball over the line.  

Both teams then wasted chances to take the lead in extra time with Tommy producing several outstanding saves to deny United which saw him awarded the Jack Batty Memorial Trophy as the Player of the Final. Both Tommy and Morris saved one of the first three spot-kicks in the shootout but United converted four of their attempts and with Melville's fourth saved by Morris, United joined Mt Wellington in the record books when Todd-Smith converted United fifth attempt.  

Result / Scorers: 

Melville United 2 (Lucca Lim, Max Tommy)
Christchurch United 2 (own goals x 2)
HT 0 - 2
FT 2 - 2
United win 4 - 2 on pens   

Jack Batty Memorial Trophy - Player of the Final: Max Tommy (Melville United) 

FC Nelson Take 1st Leg Of Promotion Series

FC Nelson hold the advantage going into the 2nd Leg of the Mainland Football Senior Men's Play-off Series after they edged Universities 3 - 2 in fine conditions at Nelson's Guppy Park on Saturday. 

FC Nelson captain, TJ Hansen put his side ahead when scoring from the penalty spot after 13 minutes. FC created several more chances to extend the lead before Hemi Innes levelled on the stoke of half time when the students were awarded a penalty.  

FC regained the lead when Jamine Wilson found the back of the net in the 58th minute and then the lead was extended by Phun Lian scoring moments after being subbed on. Universities then finished the stronger with Innes scoring his second with eight minutes remaining. FC then had to survive a series of back-to-back corners, but Universities could not force an equalising goal. 

The 2nd leg will be played at English Park at 11am on Saturday. 

Result / Scorers: 

FC Nelson 3 (TJ Hansen - pen, Jamine Wilson, Phun Lian)
Universities 2 (Hemi Innes 2 - incl pen)

Article added: Monday 11 September 2023