The first Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final will be played today between Coastal Spirit and Hamilton Wanderers at English Park. We look back on the route the teams took to get there.

Coastal Spirit

2013 winners Coastal Spirit began their Kate Sheppard Cup campaign in the preliminary round, with a Melanie Cameron goal proving the difference in their 1-0 defeat of Waimakariri United.

Round 1 saw a decisive 8-1 defeat of Universities AFC back in Round 1, with Rebecca Lake and Melanie Cameron netting doubles, and Alyssa Whinham (now of Wellington Phoenix fame), Lauren Dabner, Ellena Firth and Britney-lee Nicholson all scoring too.

They then took on local rivals Cashmere Technical (both sides having the majority of 2020;’s Canterbury United Pride players), dispatching them 4-1 courtesy of an Alyssa Whinham double and goals from Melanie Cameron and Ellena Firth.

Round 3 saw Coastal Spirit travel up to Kate Sheppard Cup first time entrants Richmond Athletic , where they secured a 9-0 win as Nicholson scored a hat trick, Rebecca Lake and Dabner netted braces, while Melanie Cameron and Whitney Hepburn score one apiece.

Coastal Spirit then continued their goalscoring masterclass when they travelled down to 2018 champions Dunedin Technical, dispatching their South Island rivals 8-0 and secure their place in the semi-finals. Britney-lee Nicholson scored four, Rebecca Lake another double, while Darsha Keogan and Zoe McMeeken (now with Alyssa Whinham at the Phoenix) also netted.

Top goalscorer for the 2021 Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup: Britney-lee Nicholson (8, competition leader)

Finalists: 3 (2011, 2013, 2019)

Winners: 2013

Hamilton Wanderers

Hamilton Wanderers will be hoping to secure their first ever Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup final appearance when they play Coastal Spirit.

Beginning their campaign in Round 2, Wanderers beat Bucklands Beach 9-1, with Helen Arjomandi scoring a hat trick, Kim Maguire a double, and Lisa Evans, Sarah Carpenter and Chelsea Elliott rounding out the Hamiltonians’ goals.

They then dispatched NRFL side Auckland United 4-1 in Round 3, through a Shannon Trebes goal and Helen Arjomandi hat trick.

The Hamiltonians then beat NRFL rivals Ellerslie 3-1, with Maddison Ollington, Lilly Muspratt and Sarah Carpenter all scoring in the first half to secure progression to the semi-finals.

Top goalscorer for the 2021 Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup: Helen Arjomandi (6)

Finalists: 0

Winners: 0

Semi-final details

Saturday 19 February

Coastal Spirit v Hamilton Wanderers at English Park.

Kick off 4pm.

Watch live on our YouTube channel HERE