It’s been a longer time coming than expected, but this weekend we are finally able to play the last Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final, as Wellington United host incumbent champs Eastern Suburbs on Saturday.

What road did each team take to get to the semis?

Eastern Suburbs

When the Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup holders Eastern Suburbs finally kicked off their defence of the Cup in Round 2, they could quite literally describe themselves as taking the long road to do so - travelling to Whangarei to begin their campaign against Northland FC. There they secured a 4-0 win thanks to two goals in two minutes from Laney Strachan, and strikes from Olivia Page and Erinna Wong.

Progression was secured from Round 3 after 77^th and 90^th minute goals were scored by Carolyn O’Reilly and Grace Jale respectively against Papakura City.

The holders then defeated Western Spring 2-0 in their quarter final, with Ella Findlay and Grace Jale (now knocking in goals for the Wellington Phoenix) getting on the scoresheet.

Top goalscorer for the 2021 Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup: Grace Jale (2)

Finalists: 3 (2005, 2017, 2019)

Winners: 1 (2019 – incumbent champions)

Wellington United

Jemma Robertson opened Wellington United’s Kate Sheppard Cup goal account just three minutes into their Round 1 tie against Kapiti Coast United. From there it was one-way traffic, as Sophie Dijkstra, Pepi Olliver-Bell (with a double), Asha Strom, Hope Gilchrist and Natalie Olson all netted in the 8-0 win.

For their Round 2 tie, extra time was needed to dispatch Capital W-League rivals Waterside Karori, as Jemma Robertson, Emma Main and Courtney Stone (two minutes before penalties would have been required) secured progression.

United again required extra time to defeat Palmerston North Marist, as regular time goals from Robertson saw them finish the 90 2-2. Pepi Olliver-Bell scored early in extra time and Sarah Alder providing the decisive finish four minutes from the end for the game to finish 4-3.

They made easier work of securing a semi-final place, however, sweeping Wairarapa United aside 5-1 at Newtown Park, as Jemma Robertson, Emma Main, Pepi Olliver-Bell, Nea Blackham and Danielle Ohlsson all got on the scoresheet.

Top goalscorer for the 2021 Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup: Jemma Robertson (5)

Finalists: 0

Winners: 0

The second Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final kicks off on Saturday 5 March at 2.45 pm, Newtown Park. Watch live on New Zealand Football’s YouTube channel.

Article added: Friday 04 March 2022