Birkenhead United are the 2018 Chatham Cup champions after winning a tense penalty shoot-out against Western Suburbs in the final at QBE Stadium.
Locked at 1-1 at the end of extra time, the two sides were forced to the spot where, lead by their goalkeeper Damian Hurst, the North Shore side held their nerve to secure their second title in three years.
Birkenhead United got off to a dream start courtesy of Alex Connor-McClean, who fired one into the back of the net from a searching early cross to give his side a 1-0 lead in just the seventh minute.
They almost made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later but Luke Jorgensen was unable to get a hold of a volley that was ripe for the taking.
Western Suburbs drew level in the 34th minute, Mohamed Awad making a searing run into the box and firing home.
The Wellingtonians had a superb chance to take the lead from the penalty spot in the 40th minute but Nathaniel Hailemariam was denied by a great save from Hurst.
The second half was an arm wrestle with just one glaring opportunity, the teams unable to produce a goal in the extra time periods and the contest forced tp penalties.
Earlier in the inaugural Kate Sheppard Cup final, Dunedin Tech put in a commanding performance against Forrest Hill Milford United to become the cup's first-ever winners with a 4-2 victory.
Goals from Mikaela Hunt (2), Lara Wall, and Emily Morison saw the southerner's take a 4-1 lead into halftime, effectively ending the contest.
Newshub.
