The 1990 Chatham Cup was the 63rd annual nationwide knockout

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competition in

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

. Up to the last 16 of the competition, the cup was run in three regions (northern, central, and southern).

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teams received a bye until the final 64 stage. In all, 147 teams took part in the competition.

The 1990 final

The final returned to the Cup's early home, the

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. It was the first to be decided on penalties. Replays, which had been used in previous tied finals, were no longer used in the Chatham Cup by 1990. The final was close and tense, with three goals to each team. Mount Wellington finished the match with ten men after

Dave Witteveen David Witteveen is a former football (soccer) player who represented New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the S ...

was sent off in extra time. Johan Verweij scored in his fourth successive final - unfortunately for him, in the 1990 final it was an own goal. The penalty shoot-out was no less tense, with several shots having to be retaken. Mount Wellington and

Christchurch United Christchurch United is an amateur association football club in Christchurch, New Zealand. They compete in various Mainland Football competitions at Junior and Senior level. The club has won six National League titles and six Chatham Cup trophi ...

were as evenly matched in the 1990 final as they had been when they met in the epic

1972 Chatham Cup The 1972 Chatham Cup was the 45th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand. Early stages of the competition were run on a regional basis, with the National League teams receiving a bye until the later stages of the competit ...

final. That match produced thirteen goals spread across three matches, with eight in the first match alone. The 1990 final was equally exciting, with records being set and plenty of on-pitch action. Among the records were those of Ron Armstrong, who played in his eighth final - equally

Tony Sibley Anthony (Tony) Sibley was a successful New Zealand soccer player who frequently represented his country in the 1970s and 1980s. He finished his playing career for the All Whites with 48 A-international caps to his credit. In 1978 Sibley was awa ...

with a record which stood alongside father Ken Armstrong's earlier cup heroics as player and coach. The first half produced three goals. Allan Carville led the way for the southerners, before a wayward backpass from Verweij caught the wind and beat his own keeper to level things up. The Mount took the lead for the first time with a fine curving shot from

Noel Barkley Noel Barkley (born 1 March 1961) is a Northern Irish-born former association football player who represented New Zealand at international level. Career Barkley began his career in his native Northern Ireland, playing in the Irish League for La ...

, 1990 New Zealand player of the year. From this point on, Christchurch went on the attack, mainly through the efforts of

Michael McGarry Michael McGarry (born 17 May 1965) was a successful association footballer who frequently represented New Zealand in the 1980s and 1990s. Club career His senior career began with Dunedin City and later Mosgiel, before he moved to Australia to ...

, but they only produced one goal to show for it, a second for Carville.Hilton (1991), p. 81 Extra time produced more excitement, with a missed penalty from United's skipper

Keith Braithwaite Keith Braithwaite is a former association football player who represented New Zealand at international level. Braithwaite played for Christchurch United Football Club from 1982 - 1992. During his time with the club, Braithwaite became their al ...

. Then in the dying stages, referee Roger Woolmer game a free kick to Mount Wellington close to the Christchurch goal. Keeper

Alan Stroud Alan Stroud (born 1965) is a former football (soccer) goalkeeper who represented New Zealand at international level. Stroud played three official A-international matches for New Zealand between 1986 and 1995, the first two against Fiji, a 2� ...

could only parry the ball, and Armstrong stuck the ball home. Christchurch fought back, and with only seconds remaining McGarry deflected a Julyan Falloon cross into the Mount's net. And so it came down to penalties. Mount Wellington scored with four of their five efforts, from Terry Torrens, Noel Barkley, Grant Lightbown, and Steve O'Donoghue. The only Aucklander failing to find the net was Ron Armstrong, thanks to a fine save from Stroud. It was the Christchurch United kicks which produced the most drama, however. McGarry failed to find the target, and keeper Paul Schofield saved Braithwaite's effort, only to hear the referee calling for it to be retaken, as Schofield had moved. Braithwaite scored from the retaken kick. More was to come, with Verweij's kick having to be retaken not once but twice for the same offence - and Schofield saved on all three occasions. Though Michael Boomer scored with Christchurch's fourth kick, the lead became unassailable after O'Donoghue made it 4–2 for the Mount. The Jack Batty Memorial Trophy for player of the final was awarded to

of Christchurch United. McGarry became the first player to win this award twice, having also won it in 1989.Hilton (1991), p. 177

Results

Third Round

* Won on penalties by Ngaruawahia (4-3) Christchurch United received a bye to the Fourth Round

Fourth Round

* Won on penalties by Roslyn-Wakari (6-5) and Gisborne City (6-5) Caversham received a bye to the Fifth Round

Fifth Round

Sixth Round

Semi-finals

Final

Penalty shootout: :Mount Wellington: Armstrong (saved), Torrens (scored), Barkley (scored), Lightbown (scored), O'Donoghue (scored) :Christchurch United: McGarry (missed), Braithwaite (scored), Verweij (saved), Boomer (scored) Mount Wellington won 4-2 on penalties.

References

Sources

*Hilton, T. (1991) ''An association with soccer.'' Auckland: The New Zealand Football Association. .
Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation New Zealand 1990 page
{{Chatham Cup seasons Chatham Cup

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