The 1945 Chatham Cup was the 18th nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand, and the first such competition after a four-year gap caused by World War II.

1945 Chatham Cup
Tournament details
Venue(s)Basin Reserve, Wellington
Dates1 September 1945
Final positions
ChampionsWestern (2nd title)
Runner-upWellington Marist
← 1940
1946 →

The competition was run on a regional basis, with regional associations each holding separate qualifying rounds. Teams taking part in the final rounds are known to have included Wellington Marist, St. Andrews (Manawatu), Western (Christchurch), and Mosgiel.

The 1945 final

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In the final, Jack Smith scored a hat-trick, including one goal from the penalty spot. Merv Gordon's own goal is the first to be definitively recorded as such in a Chatham Cup final, though some goals in earlier finals are regarded as own goals in some publications. The game is noted as an exciting one, especially the second half. The only goal of the first half came after 17 minutes from Marist's G. Irvine. The lead became 2-0 twenty minutes into the second half through Ray Price, only for Western to score twice, the second goal coming only one minute before the whistle. In extra time Gordon's own goal was nullified by an equaliser from Ray Dowker before Smith hit the winner from the penalty spot.[1]

Results

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Quarter-finals

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South Auckland (Waikato) Final
Glen Massey1 - 6Rotowaro Tigers
Report
Seddon Park, Hamilton
Wellington Final
Wellington Marist5 - 0Stop Out
Basin Reserve, Wellington
Canterbury Final
Western4 - 3Christchurch Thistle
Hagley Park, Christchurch
Otago Final
Roslyn-Wakari2 - 4Mosgiel

Semi-finals

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South Island Final
Mosgiel3 - 7Western
Caledonian Park, Dunedin
North Island Final
Rotowaro Tigers2 - 2
replayed
Wellington Marist
Blandford Park, Auckland
North Island Final (replay)
Rotowaro Tigers0 - 2Wellington Marist
Referee: Mr. F. O. Green

Final

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1945 Chatham Cup Final
Western4 – 3 (aet)Wellington Marist
J. Smith 3 (1 pen), Dowker Irvine, Price, Gordon (og)
Referee: Mr. V. Wheeler

References

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  1. ^ Hilton, T. (1991) An association with soccer. Auckland: The New Zealand Football Association. ISBN 0-473-01291-X. p.70