Chatham Cup draw: Four BOP teams remaining

AFC Bohemian Celtic will be an unknown challenge for Tauranga City. Photo: AFC Bohemian Celtic Facebook.

The four Bay of Plenty teams remaining in the Chatham Cup now know their next opponents in the competition following the draw for the first round earlier this week.

Otūmoetai FC will face the most successful club in Chatham Cup history, Waipuna Rangers have a tough away draw, Te Puke United will be quietly optimistic while Tauranga City go into the unknown.

The eye-catching tie of the round is NRFL Southern Conference side Otūmoetai welcoming Uni-Mount Bohemian AFC to Fergusson Park.

Unimount Bohs lay claim to a competition record seven cup victories (1973, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1990, 2001 and 2003) but are not the force they once were, having last won the competition 20 years ago.

However, it is still significant for Oats, considering their novice levels in this tournament, to be facing off against the club who have lifted the ‘Old Tin' more than any other in 100 years of New Zealand domestic cup football.

The Bohs currently play in the NRF League One and reached the First Round with a 2-1 Preliminary Round win over FC Whangarei.

Waipuna will face a tough challenge if they are to continue their Cinderella story after being drawn to play Bucklands Beach AFC.

Once again, the Rangers will be on the road, just as they were for their 2-1 win over Pukekohe AFC in the prelims.

But Bucklands Beach play several levels higher in the NRFL Northern Conference and smashed Warkworth 8-0 to advance from the previous round.

Te Puke will head over the Kaimais to face Claudelands Rovers, who like the competition are celebrating a centenary this year.

The Hamilton-based side have won two and lost two of their Southern Conference games this season and Te Puke will no doubt be confident they can give a good account of themselves in pursuit of a Chatham Cup run.

The region's top seeds, Tauranga City, will be expecting to advance from their First Round fixture but face an unknown quantity in the shape of Auckland Sunday League side AFC Bohemian Celtic.

Waipuna Rangers face a stern test in the First Round proper. Photo: Mark Papworth.

Celtic defeated Otorohanga 3-1 to reach this point and will have hopes of a big scalp against the NRFL Championship promotion hopefuls.

City, who exited the Chatham Cup in Round Two to East Coast Bays last season, will need to keep their wits about them to ensure they meet the same standard.

Fixtures are scheduled to take place on the weekend of May 13-14.

The full draw is below:

Northern Rovers FC v Colo Boys FC

AFC Bohemian Celtic v Tauranga City AFC

Otumoetai FC v Uni-Mount Bohemian AFC

South Auckland Rangers AFC v Oratia United FC

East Coast Bays AFC v Rapa Nui FC

Mt Albert-Ponsonby AFC v Ngaruawahia Utd AFC Inc

Northern United SC v Metro FC

Beachlands Maraetai AFC v Albany United FC

Royal NZ Navy FC v Fencibles United AFC

Bucklands Beach AFC v Waipuna FC Inc

Cambridge FC v Franklin United FC

Ellerslie AFC v Northland FC

West Auckland AFC v Papakura City FC

Papatoetoe AFC v Waikato Unicol AFC

Hibiscus Coast AFC v Waitemata FC

North Shore United AFC v Te Atatu AFC

Te Awamutu AFC v Taupo AFC

Claudelands Rovers v Te Puke Utd FC Inc

Kapiti Coast Utd v Lower Hutt City AFC

Wainuiomata AFC v Seatoun AFC

Paekakariki SC v Island Bay United AFC

Upper Hutt City Football v Tawa AFC

Massey University - Manawatu Campus v Napier Marist Football Club

New Plymouth Boys' High School v Moturoa AFC

FC Western Inc v Palmerston North Marist FC

Central SC v Nelson Suburbs FC

Motueka AFC v FC Nelson

Cashmere Technical FC v Selwyn United FC

Christchurch Utd v Parklands United

Coastal Spirit v Burwood AFC

Nomads United AFC v Ferrymead Bays FC

Universities of Canterbury Association Football Club v Waimakariri Utd

Halswell United v FC Twenty 11

Thistle FC v Grants Braes AFC

Queenstown AFC v Wanaka AFC

Mosgiel AFC v Northern Hearts AFC

Northern AFC v Roslyn Wakari AFC

The following teams have a bye to Round 2 in the Chatham Cup:

Auckland City FC (holders); Auckland United FC;Bay Olympic FC;Birkenhead United AFC; Eastern Suburbs AFC; Hamilton Wanderers; Manukau United FC; Melville Utd AFC; Manurewa AFC Takapuna FC; West Coast Rangers FC; Western Springs AFC; Onehunga Mangere United AFC; Waiheke United AFC; Stop Out SC; Miramar Rangers AFC; Napier City Rovers AFC; North Wellington FC; Petone FC; Whanganui Athletic; Waterside Karori; Wellington Olympic; Western Suburbs; Otago University AFC; Queens Park AFC; Green Island AFC; Dunedin City Royals FC.

Mathew Nash/Match of the Bay

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