Currently avoiding what I'm supposed to be doing so here is a Chatham Cup preview for the Capital Region
Kapiti Coast United (Cap Prem) v Martinborough (Rapa Div 2), Weka Park, Raumati, KO 1pm
Martinborough have a senior team???? I never knew that until this draw came out, I'm just gutted they didn't get a home draw as it would have been a good trip. Would hope they get through to the next round and get a home game, but given that they are 2nd in Wairarapa Division 2 and up against Cap Prem side KCU I can't see it happening
PICK : KCU win
Wellington Olympic (CL) v Petone (CP), Wakefield, KO 1:30pm
This will be the 13th time these clubs have met in the Chatham Cup and Petone have won a grand total of 0! Yes that's right none at all, they managed a 4-4 draw once (in 1984) but lost 5-4 on pens. And this record isn't one of those not played since the 70s, 7 of the meetings have been in the last 10 years.
PICK : Olympic to make it 13 in a row
Marist (Cap2) v Wainuiomata (Cap1), Miramar Park, KO 2pm
Three meetings in the Chatham Cup between these clubs, and these ones do go back a bit, the most recent was in 2000 when Marist won 2-1, the two before that were in 1963 (Marist 6-1) & 1966 (Wainuiomata (2-0)
PICK : Wainui
Tawa (CP) v Wests (CL), Redwood Park, KO 2pm
The derby, you'd expect an easy win for the kids of Wests against their near neighbours who are in the division below, but if you look at the cup history 6 meetings have produced 2 wins each and 2 draws, in which both sides have won a penalty shoot out, most of these happened in the 90s, but Tawa love the cup and enjoy being the underdog, still I think Wests will be too good for them
PICK : Western Suburbs
North Wellington (CP) v BNU (Cap 1), Alex Moore, KO 2:30pm
The proposed community sports hub for Alex Moore Park was dealt a blow last week when it was discovered that the ground on Alex Moore had been used as a dump by American soldiers during the war (they did build the North Wellington club rooms so suppose it's ok) and it's not safe to build on there. Maybe that's where North Wellington were keeping their money, because all of a sudden they seem to have plenty of it with a team including an English import who was playing Conference South, a National league player from Tasman United, several regular central league starters from the likes of Olympic, Stop Out & Wests oh and Ben Sigmund when he's not injured. This will be the 4th time these clubs have met and is a replay of the same fixture last season, North Wellington won 4-1 then and I think the score will be at least that this time
PICK : North Wellington
Upper Hutt City (CP) v Seatoun (Cap 2), Maidstone Park, KO 3pm
Two time cup winners, Seatoun are unbeaten this season so far and could cause the upset of the round against a Upper Hutt team that hasn't really fired yet this season until last weekend. Not a lot of history between the clubs in the cup 2 games, 1993 (Seatoun 2-1) & 2005 (Upper Hutt 2-0)
PICK : Seatoun
Victoria University (Cap1) v Naenae (Cap1), Boyd Wilson Turf, KO 5:15pm
One of only two same division clashes, Vic Uni are top of the table 6 points ahead of 6th place Naenae. Three previous Chatham Cup meetings all won by Naenae (1975 3-0, 86 3-2, 89 1-0), too long ago and too few to mean anything can't see Naenae overcoming Vic Uni at home
PICK Uni
Lower Hutt City (CL) v Miramar Rangers (CL), Fraser Park, KO 5:30pm
The other same division clash and probably hardest game to pick, 7th meeting of these clubs in the cup and Lower Hutt only won once and that was way back in 1976, this will be the third meeting in 6 years. Going to be an interesting game, Miramar currently have a weakened team thanks to 7 players currently tied up with Team Wellington and the Oceania Champions League, but this will also be their only real chance for any silverware this season. Lower Hutt have a game against Wellington United on Wednesday, which might not help, but these are young guys so shouldn't be too much of a problem
PICK : Lower Hutt on Pens