Past winners go head-to-head in Thursday’s Kate Sheppard Cup tie

The first semi-finalists in this year’s Kate Sheppard Cup will be found on Thursday night when past winners Ellerslie and Eastern Suburbs meet at Ngahue Reserve.

The clubs have opted to play their quarter-final tie under lights at OFC’s Home of Football in St Johns, with a 6.30pm kick-off.

Ellerslie have surrendered their home advantage as their Michaels Ave ground and facilities are now the training base camp for the Argentine national team ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Main photo: Ellerslie players celebrate scoring against Eastern Suburbs during the Premier Women’s League match at Michaels Ave in April. Photo: Jackie Tran Van / Phototek.

Much is at stake for Ellerslie and Eastern Suburbs as they go into Thursday’s semi-final.

Ellerslie last won the premier women’s national knockout trophy in 2001 and last made the semi-finals stage in 2003, when they went on to lose the final to Lynn-Avon United.

Eastern Suburbs, who won last year’s Women’s National League, have their name on the Kate Sheppard Cup once, for their victory in 2019.

They have reached the semi-finals every year since but like Ellerslie, are still chasing their second trophy success.

The teams go into their quarter-final only 11 days after a thrilling encounter in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League when Suburbs won 3-2 at Madills Farm.

The Lilywhites had led 2-0 at half-time but Ellerslie fought back well in the second half with goals from Britney Cunningham-Lee and substitute Lyric Davison to show they can match it with the national champions.

In April, the sides battled for a 2-2 draw at Michaels Ave with Suburbs scoring a late equaliser through Football Fern Tayla O’Brien.

Match programme

You can read Ellerslie’s matchday magazine here:

Fixtures

Game to be played on Thursday July 6, 2023

Ellerslie v Eastern Suburbs
Ngahue Reserve, St Johns, 6.30pm

Game to be played on Saturday July 8, 2023

Wellington United v Petone
Rugby League Park, Newtown, 12pm

Games to be played on Sunday July 9, 2023

Dunedin City Royals v Coastal Spirit
Dunedin Artificial Turf, Dunedin, 12.30pm

Western Springs v Fencibles United
Seddon Fields, Westmere, 3pm

READ MORE: Western Springs send holders tumbling out of Kate Sheppard Cup >>>>

READ MORE: All the latest results from the Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup >>>>

All the past winners

The Kate Sheppard Cup is supported by the NZ Football Foundation.

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