The dreams of Chatham Cup debutants Hukanui-Rototuna Clube Alegria were dashed when they were beaten 2-0 by Westlake Boys High School today in Hamilton as the 85th edition of New Zealand oldest football competition got underway with qualification round fixtures around the country.
Recent New Zealand Under-17 international Dylan Stansfieldscored twice for Westlake, who have now booked a first-round matchup with Drury who dispatched West Hamilton United 6-2 at home.
Drury were making their first appearance in the 89-year-old competition for 11 years and the south Auckland club celebrated with goals to six different scorers.
The traditional Anzac Day round of opening fixtures saw even bigger wins in the capital with former winners Stop Out hammering Paekakariki 16-2, with Alistair Yates leading the way with five goals, Adam Church netting four and Matthew Gasper also claiming a hat-trick.
Also in Wellington, University smashed seven unanswered goals past Stokes Valley while Brooklyn Northern United were almost as emphatic with a 7-1 away win over Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast. Seatoun, however, were made to work hard for their 1-0 away win over Naenae.
Goals to Brendan King and Jono Rayner fired North Wellington to an upset 2-1 win over Capital Premier League club Marist, while Island Bay United held off a fast-finishing Kapiti Coast United for a 3-2 win.
Eastbourne hosted a Wainui Hill derby but fell 2-0 to Wainuiomata, and in an Invercargill derby Old Boys edged Thistle 3-2 thanks to a brace from Barra Toubat and a goal from Brandon de Garnham to book a home tie against Green Bay in the first round proper on May 12.
Auckland Grammar School started their Chatham Cup campaign on a winning note with a 4-1 win over Sunday Leaguers Zamantix Rovers but Wellington College were taught a lesson by four-time winners Waterside Karori, who beat the students 4-0.
The qualification round continues with a Friday night fixture between Takapuna Grammar and Bohemian Celtic and wraps up on Saturday when Westport Cos host Rangers FC.
Fixture clashes also saw two Round One matches played in advance with Taradale beating North End from Palmerston North 4-1 and New Plymouth Rangers ousting Red Sox Manawatu 1-0.
