The top tier Cup sides started to establish themselves over the weekend, as teams vied for a place in the Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup Quarter Finals and Chatham Cup Round 4.

Dunedin Technical set the tone on Friday night, posting a 6-0 demolition of rivals Otago University in the Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup’s first livestreamed game.

Other local table toppers Coastal Spirit and Wairarapa United also notched up big wins in their respective Kate Sheppard Cup ties, defeating newcomers Richmond Athletic 9-0, and Victoria University 9-1 respectively, while Wellington United dispatched W-League rivals Palmerston North Marist 4-3 after the scores were locked up at 2-2 at full time.

Holders Eastern Suburbs narrowly kept a hold on the Cup, as late goals from Carolyn O’Reilly and Grace Jale cancelled out Jacqueline David’s effort for NRF Championship side Papakura City, while Ellerslie AFC defeated Cup newcomers Franklin United 7-0.

Hamilton Wanderers hold the distinction of being the only club in the country to have Cup challenges left in both competitions, as the men’s side beat Manukau United 5-0 and their women’s side defeated Auckland United 4-1.

Auckland City FC and Miramar Rangers continued the trend of big wins for top of the table sides, with the Northern and Central League leaders posting a 7-2 win over Tauranga City AFC and a 4-1 win over North Wellington FC respectively, and Southern League-qualified Cashmere Technical dispatched Nelson Suburbs 7-3. Holders Napier City Rovers were bundled out by Central League rivals Western Suburbs 3-0, and Otago University AFC’s Chatham Cup adventures proved more successful than their Kate Sheppard Cup counterparts’, defeating Green Island AFC 5-1.

Waiheke United and Ngaruawahia United are the only non-top tier sides left in the Chatham Cup, having dispatched Papakura City 5-1 and West Hamilton United 2-1 respectively. Waiheke’s Juan Cruz Canay is also the top goalscorer in the competition so far, with eight goals.

Following an incident in the third round Kate Sheppard Cup tie between Western Springs and Northern Rovers, which saw the floodlights go out before the end of the game, New Zealand Football has taken the decision, after reviewing the referee’s report and information from the home side on how the issue occurred, that the game should be replayed. 

The replayed fixture is due to be played before Friday 2 July 2021.

Full results for the Kate Sheppard Cup can be viewed here.

Full results for the Chatham Cup can be viewed here.

Article added: Tuesday 22 June 2021