Holders to play national champs in all-Auckland Kate Sheppard Cup final

This year’s Kate Sheppard Cup final will be an all-Auckland affair after semi-final wins by holders Western Springs and National League champions Auckland United.

Western Springs beat Dunedin City Royals 3-0 with a whirlwind start at Tahuna Park, while Auckland United needed two late goals to get past a young Wellington Phoenix Reserves 2-1.

Main photo: Western Springs celebrate with goalscorer Rino Hirano (11).

The final will be held at Albany’s North Harbour Stadium on Saturday September 7, 2024.

READ MORE: North Harbour Stadium confirmed to host double header of cup finals >>>>

Whirlwind start fires Springs into another cup final

Holders Western Springs have booked their place in the final of the Kate Sheppard Cup after beating Dunedin City Royals 3-0 in the semi-final.

The Aucklanders took control of the game in its opening minutes, leaving the shell-shocked home side 2-0 down after five minutes.

Though the Royals improved as the game went on, the result, and momentum, was always in Springs’ favour.

Having conceded only three goals all season, Dunedin City Royals went into the game without injured defender Kelsey Kennard.

Western Springs made the most confident start, pushing down both flanks and looking to get crosses into the Royals’ penalty area at Tahuna Park.

The Aucklanders broke through in the third minute, with Liz Savage crossing from the right wing to the far post where Rina Hirano steered the ball into the net.

Two minutes later, Hirano, playing her 99th game for Springs, crossed from the left sideline, finding Savage who turned the ball inside the post to make it 2-0 after only five minutes.

Midway through the half, Royals goalkeeper Lauren Paterson made an outstanding double save to prevent a third goal.

But it delayed the inevitable by only a minute as Springs midfielder Rebecca Burrows fired a shot that took a deflection and beat Paterson to make it 3-0.

Springs maintained the pressure till the break, with Royals scrambling clear a couple of chances late in the half.

The Royals worked hard in the second half to break down a Springs side who managed the game well, using their substitutions to keep up the energy levels.

The home side created their best chance of the game when Rose Morton broke clear and shot wide in the 67th minute.

With six minutes left, Patterson saved well from Hirano to keep the second half scoreless.

The win secured, there was little time for Springs to celebrate, with a long flight back to Auckland cutting short their day in Dunedin.

Late heartbreak for young Phoenix academy side

By Warren Olson

Billed as a showcase of the country’s up-and-coming female talent, the Kate Sheppard semi-final that pitted the form side and Oceania Champions Auckland United against the young Phoenix Reserves lived up to all that and more.

Defying predictions, the threatened rain held off for much of the game and it was a confident Auckland side that took to the pitch looking to boss their younger opponents.

The speed to the ball and slick passing of the ‘Nix players quickly let the Aucklanders know it wouldn’t all go their way.

The constantly dangerous Ela Jerez soon blazed one just over the bar and her attack partner did likewise soon afterwards.

United looked dangerous from set-pieces and had plenty of possession, but with the Nix girls constantly sniping at their heels, they had much less time on the ball than they may have been used to, and failed to create clear-cut chances.

With some great touches and passing from both sides it was fast and furious, but 0-0 at the break was probably a fair result.

The second half started at an even more hectic pace, as it seemed Auckland realised the speed and stamina of the Wellington side could catch them out if they didn’t score quickly.

Georgie Furnell made a great covering run down the right for the Phoenix, and when a cross avoided everyone and sailed through to her, she was on hand to control it and calmly slot it home to give her side the lead.

As well as encouraging the home side, the goal seemed to take some wind out of the visitors who were struggling to create anything.

Midfielder Chloe Knott was shut down and it was the dynamo Renee Wasi who appeared to have the energy and incentive to get Auckland back in the game.

From a lone, determined run, Wasi earned her side a corner, and somewhat against the run of play, their height and physical advantage in the box paid off and former Phoenix defender Saskia Vosper was able to head beneath the bar to level the scores after 88 minutes.

As the game headed towards full time, Ella McCann made some threatening runs for the Phoenix and Jerez continued to pose a threat to the tiring United defence who held firm.

With time all-but up, inexplicably the Phoenix defence that had been calm and composed for 99 minutes decided to practise some one touch passing in the box that not surprisingly went awry, leaving substitute Estelle Harrison to complete the final and telling pass into the back of the net.

Harrison (32) was playing only her second game for Auckland United, who she joined after a stint in Wales.

She had previously played for Northern Rovers for coach Ben Bate who is now at Auckland United.

Auckland United progress to the final, but the young Phoenix Reserves can hold their heads high for a great team effort, that featured some great passing, control and touches and for much of the game had them in control.

The deciding factor and clear player of the match was Auckland United’s Wasi who singlehandedly dragged her side back into the game and kept up a continued threat of speed, skill and stamina for the entire game.

Results

Games played on Saturday August 17, 2024

Semi-finals

Dunedin City Royals 0
Western Springs 3 (Rina Hirano 3′, Liz Savage 5′, Rebecca Burrows 24′)

Wellington Phoenix Reserves 1 (Georgie Furnell 60′)
Auckland United 2 (Saskia Vosper 88′, Estelle Harrison 90+9′)

Past rounds

RESULTS: Quarter-finals of 2024 Kate Sheppard Cup >>>>

RESULTS: Third round of 2024 Kate Sheppard Cup >>>>

RESULTS: Second round of 2024 Kate Sheppard Cup >>>>

RESULTS: First round of 2024 Kate Sheppard Cup >>>>

Fixture

Game to be played on Saturday September 7, 2024

Final

Western Springs v Auckland United
North Harbour Stadium, Albany, 4pm

READ MORE: North Harbour Stadium confirmed to host double header of cup finals >>>>

All the past winners — Kate Sheppard Cup

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