Fencibles make history in Christchurch with first-ever Chatham Cup title

Fencibles United have written a new chapter in their history after defeating Cashmere Technical 2-1 in Christchurch to lift the Chatham Cup for the first time.

The Auckland side entered Saturday’s final having never previously progressed beyond the quarter-finals of New Zealand’s premier knockout competition, but goals from Ronaldo Lopez Munoz and substitute Kodie Nicol completed a memorable campaign and sent the trophy back to Pakuranga.

A crowd of 11,267 watched the final at One New Zealand Stadium, with Cashmere Technical carrying considerable home support as Christchurch hosted a Chatham Cup decider for the first time since 2013.

The occasion also marked the first men’s football match played at the new stadium.

Cashmere arrived as Southern League champions and with one of the most productive attacks in the country, but Fencibles showed little sign of being overwhelmed by either the setting or their first appearance on the national stage.

The opening half-hour was cautious, with both teams struggling to create clear opportunities. The breakthrough eventually came in the 33rd minute.

Liam Wessels reacted quickest to a loose ball and found Ronaldo Lopez Munoz on the edge of the penalty area. Munoz controlled under pressure, worked his way beyond a defender and calmly finished into the bottom corner to put Fencibles ahead.

The goal changed the rhythm of the contest, and the Aucklanders finished the opening half with greater confidence as they protected their 1-0 advantage.

Cashmere Technical responded strongly after the interval.

The Christchurch side increased the pressure around the Fencibles penalty area and appeared to have equalised when prolific striker Garbhan Coughlan dispossessed the goalkeeper and rolled the ball into an empty net. The goal, however, was ruled out after the referee judged Coughlan to have committed a foul.

Cashmere did not have to wait much longer.

In the 61st minute, Nicholas Murphy produced a powerful strike from well outside the penalty area, beating the Fencibles goalkeeper to bring the hosts level.

With the crowd behind them and momentum beginning to shift, Cashmere pushed forward looking to complete the turnaround.

Instead, Fencibles found the decisive moment.

With ten minutes remaining, captain Connor Probert delivered a deep cross towards the far side of the penalty area. Substitute Riwai Rangihuna-Stanton stretched to reach it, directing the ball against the inside of the post.

As the ball travelled across the face of goal, fellow substitute Kodie Nicol reacted first and turned it home, restoring Fencibles’ lead at 2-1.

Cashmere continued searching for another equaliser during the closing stages, but Fencibles held firm to complete the biggest achievement in the club’s history.

The victory represents the end of an impressive cup run for a team that had never previously reached the last four.

Fencibles began their campaign with a 6-1 victory over Papamoa before eliminating Birkenhead United 3-1. They then defeated South Auckland Rangers 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals, where they produced one of the defining results of their run by overcoming Auckland City 3-2.

A 3-0 semi-final victory over Nelson Suburbs earned the club its first Chatham Cup final appearance, before Cashmere became the final obstacle between Fencibles and the trophy.

While Munoz and Nicol provided the goals in Christchurch, Liam Wessels was awarded the Jack Batty Trophy as the player of the final, recognition for his contribution throughout the contest and his involvement in the opening goal.

For Cashmere Technical, defeat brought a disappointing conclusion to a strong domestic campaign. The Christchurch side had comfortably won the Southern League and entered the final seeking another Chatham Cup title after previous triumphs in 2013, 2014 and 2021.

Fencibles, however, ensured that a new name would be engraved on the trophy.

From never advancing beyond the quarter-finals to defeating Auckland City on the way and eventually lifting the cup in front of more than 11,000 spectators, the 2026 campaign will remain a landmark season for the Pakuranga club.