PREVIEW: Milestone moments beckon for Kate Sheppard Cup finalists

This year’s Kate Sheppard Cup final brings together two teams looking to create their own places in women’s football history.

Auckland United have the chance to claim an historic trophy treble, adding the Kate Sheppard Cup to their Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership and the OFC Women’s Champions League already won.

Western Springs can become the first club to win back-to-back Kate Sheppard Cup finals since Glenfield Rovers (2014-15).

And, of course, both clubs have qualified for the Women’s National League due to start in late September, giving the clubs another opportunity to make 2024 special.

Form

Auckland United won the 2024 Lotto NRFL Women’s Premiership at a canter, with Springs taking fourth place.

Last Sunday, the teams met in their final league fixture, which Auckland United won with a goal from Charlotte Roche in the 10th minute.

United won the reverse fixture on July 13 by the same score, with Roche scoring the game’s only goal.

Sharpshooters

Western Spring’s top goalscorers this season are headed by Megan Lee.

None of Springs’ players have struck double figures this season but the side has shared around the goals with 10 different players getting on the scoresheet in their Kate Sheppard Cup campaign.

Goals (league/cup)

9 — Megan Lee (7/2)
7 — Rina Hirano (5/2)
6 — Kitty Jacob (5/1), Maia Lythe (4/2)

Auckland United have two players with double-figure hauls for their league and cup seasons.

Goals (league/cup)

15 — Charlotte Roche (14/1)
12 — Rene Wasi (10/2)
9 — Alexis Cook (8/1)

Possible squads

These are potential cup final squads based on players from the clubs’ last two league fixtures:

Western Springs

Amberley Hollis, Charli Dunn, Tiana Hill, Kitty Jacob, Jaedeci Uluvili, Maia Lythe, Arisa Takeda, Megan Lee, Rebecca Burrows, Cleo Carmichael, Sydney Sparks, Liz Savage, Indigo Kirk, Maddi Day, Hannah Edgar, Dara Mulrooney, Sienna Makwana, Emma Hall.

Auckland United

Hannah Mitchell, Talisha Green, Greer Macintosh, Chelsea Elliott, Chloe Knott, Charlotte Roche, Rene Wasi, Alaina Granger, Estelle Harrison, Alexis Cook, Saskia Vosper, Penny Brill, Jess Philpot, Yume Harashima, Kate McConnell, Pia Vlok, Poppy O’Brien.

How they got to the final

Fixture

Game to be played on Saturday September 7, 2024

Kate Sheppard Cup

Final

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

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 >>>>

History

Western Springs have won the cup twice before (2007, 2022), while Auckland United won the 2021 edition (with the final played in 2022 due to COVID-forced delay).

One of Auckland United’s founding clubs, Three Kings United, won the cup four times (1997, 1998, 1999, 2012).

All the past winners — Kate Sheppard Cup

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