Aotearoa Domestic Football Roundup – June 15
Women’s Central League
It was another cup weekend this time around with the Chatham Cup and Kate Sheppard Cup both reaching their fourth rounds. That’s last 32 teams for the Chats, last 16 teams for the KSC. But we can always find room for some league footy in and around and, yeah what do ya know, there were also two games in the Women’s Central League to appreciate.
The first of those was held on Wednesday night where the Wellington Phoenix U18s got a much needed 3-0 win over Victoria University. Goals from Eliza Vincent (23’), Elsie Sroufe (65’), and Bridie Christie (90’). Just the third win in eight for the WeeNix and their first one in Wellington – the other two stemming from road trips against the two Palmerston North clubs. Also just a second clean sheet from a team that was so good defensively in 2025... albeit the defenders responsible for that have moved up to the U20s, as these things must be. Always replenishing the squad as the best players move upwards. To that point, Elsie Sroufe is a new addition this year from Petone who played for NZ U15s earlier this year (alongside the likes of Ruby Barber, Felivia Stevens, and Jada Szeto who are regulars in this U18s team). Sroufe’s been at the Nix the whole time but this was a rare chance up with the U18s. Charlotte Robinson also featured off the bench having recently joined from Old Boys AFC in Invercargill. She was part of Southern United’s National Youth League squad last year.
The other game over here was a thriller between Palmerston North United and Seatoun that took place on the weekend. Seatoun made the trek to Memorial Park in Palmy where they were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to Amy Foster (2’) and Nikola Szentirmay-Ross (22’)... only to lose 3-2 after PNU pulled out a wicked comeback in the last half hour. Georgina Irwin (63’) and Annabel Irwin (70’, 76’) did the mahi there. Annabel Irwin is up to six goals for the season. Palmy Utd are now as close to third place as they are to fifth place (five points either way) after their fourth Central League win on the bounce.
Kate Sheppard Cup
Eight games of football to decide our quarter-finalists for 2026. It’s still regionalised until the semis so, as always, there’ll be two teams from up north, one from the central region, and one from the southern region who make the top four. But that’s getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s begin in the southern section where Cashmere Technical hosted Nelson Suburbs and... cracked them 10-0. They were eight goals ahead after 33 minutes so fortunately they eased up from there. Anya Stephan (5’), Ruby Luxton (9’), Luxton’s second (14’), Sophia Bonser (17’), Margi Dias (21’), Bonser’s second (24’), Dias’s second (25’), Stephan’s second (33’), Dorothy Yek (45+2’), Claudia Wilson (90’). That’s a lot of goals. Cashy Tech’s been doing that to everyone this year though, men’s and women’s first teams. The bigger surprise was their men having a close game in the Chathams, scroll down for the details on that.
Otago University 0-2 Dunedin City Royals went about as expected with DCR scoring early in both halves: Hannah Mackay-Wright (5’) and Kylie Jones (52’) on target for them. Close contest but Royals have had the edge lately and that means it’ll be Dunedin vs Christchurch in the next round as Dunedin City Royals and Cashmere Technical, who’ll probably be scrapping it out for the South Island League title when it gets to that stage, also scrap it out to represent the South Island in the KSC semis. The draw should happen in the next day or two to decide who hosts. Cashmere won 1-0 when they played in Dunners earlier in the league... easily the biggest challenge that Tech have faced this campaign.
The the central region where there were four Wellington teams in action leading to two heavy away team victories. The Wellington Phoenix U20s won 4-0 against Miramar Rangers at Dave Farrington Park. Goals scored by Sienna Candy (49’, 65’), Katie Pugh (81’), and Lily Brazendale (89’). Very strong Nix team that included Emily Humphrey who seems to be back after spending last year at the University of California, Berkeley. Or maybe just getting some games during her college offseason. Mikaela Bangalan and Lily Brazendale were the two with A-League experience. This means that the Nix U20s have made at least the quarters in all three years they’ve been allowed in this competition. Credit to Miramar though, they’re having a decent season and they kept this scoreless in the first half and close most of the way.
Meanwhile Waterside Karori got their business done quickly as they shot out to a three-goal lead against Petone. Ella McMillan, formerly of the Phoenix, scored the first two (6’, 22’) before Sophie Burchfield (27’) added another. The party resumed after the break with goals from Margot Ramsay (50’) and Renee Bacon (56’). Bacon scored her second (75’) to make it six... then Pepi Olliver-Bell (77’) grabbed a consolation for the home side in a 6-1 final scoreline. That’s the Wharfies into the quarters. Ella McMillan was never known as a goal-scorer before (though she is a cheeky set piece threat – her second here was from a corner but the first was a lovely opportunistic finish from the edge of the box) but she’s scored three times in two games since joining Karori and she’ll get to face her former team in the next round.
What kind of chance did Onehunga Sports have against Auckland United? Not much... but a 6-0 loss was better than a few of the top division clubs have done against them this year. And it was only in the last thirty that it got away from the underdogs. Shev Edwards (37’) gave AUFC the lead before Olivia Ingham extended that from the penalty spot (60’). Ingham (67’) and Edwards (73’) then scored additional goals before Alaina Granger (90+2’) and Charlotte Roche (90+3’) finished it off. Brilliant to see Roche back on the field (and already scoring!) after the 2024 National League Golden Boot winner missed most of last year due to an ACL injury. AUFC also used the occasion to give 15yo Sophie Roberts a first team debut in goal, although they didn’t otherwise make too many changes, showing due respect to their lower-tiered opponents.
There were three teams from outside the NRFL Premiership who made it this far. The one with the best shout of an upset win was Birkenhead United who’ve been strutting their stuff towards probable promotion, pitted away against Ellerslie for a chance to make a statement. And they did take a very early lead through Alexis Cook (2’)... granted by half-time it was 3-1 to Ellerslie as Jeongyun Kwon (20’), Anita Trudgen (28’), and Abby Wright (39’) all found the net. Birko haven’t won 8/8 in the second tier by taking it easy though. Cook got them back in the game (62’) and then a beautifully worked goal polished off by Rene Wasi (81’) made it 3-3 with less than ten to go. Still plenty of time for more goals. Arisa Takeda (82’) promptly replied for the Ponies who then stretched it out through Rina Hirano (90+1’) and Abby Wright (90+5’). The match centre had the goals in the wrong order but in this case the livestream was there clear things up... so if you’re ever reading one of these things for a game you attended and it’s wrong then that’s why.
A few months ago, Franklin United would have had every chance of turning over Western Springs... but fortunes are changing for the Swans as a 6-1 win down in Drury shows. Daphne Ranta (6’), Rosa Muru (24’), and Dara Mulrooney (42’) got the first batch before Caitlin Varcoe (44’) put Franklin on the board. Mulrooney then scored twice more (46’ & 60’) for a cup hat-trick before Hannah Saxon (90+2’) completed the set. Renin Yousif was red carded for Franklin with about ten to go. Franklin had Tiana Tielemans (nee Hill) and Britney Cunningham-Lee in their ranks, both of whom played National League for Western Springs last year.
And then over at Madills Farm we had the only NRFL Prem vs NRFL Prem match-up of the round with Eastern Suburbs beating Fencibles United 1-0 in a nail-biter... Erika Skindlov (45+1’) continuing her strong form by scoring the winner for the Lilywhites. Auckland United have had the more attention-grabbing scorelines but Eastern Suburbs are also undefeated this year and have only conceded four goals all year across 13 games in all competitions.
Into The Fifth Round:
Ellerslie, Auckland United, Eastern Suburbs, Western Springs, Waterside Karori, Wellington Phoenix U20s, Cashmere Technical, Dunedin City Royals
Chatham Cup
Ferrymead Bays have been the surprise package in the Southern League, taking a leap up from a solid upper-table team to genuine National League challengers... going 8-1-1 through the first ten games with their only defeat being a 5-0 bashing at the hands of Cashmere Technical, who have themselves won every game by multiple goals. But lo and behold they had a scrap on their hands away to Ferrymead. Cashmere took the lead through an own goal (10’) but Jacob Killick (13’) quickly levelled up. Zander Edwards scored again for Cashy (34’) however a Liam Stanton goal (35’) straight afterwards equalised again. Would they have more success hanging on after Rory Hibbert (39’) made it 3-2 at the break? Nope because Treye Butler scored from the penalty spot (77’) to give Bays their third leveller of the afternoon. Ah but they ran out of time after Lyle Matthysen’s goal (83’). 4-3 to Cashmere Tech who were given a proper scare but still advanced to the last sixteen. Let it be known this was the first instance in 2026 (and we’re halfway through June) of Cashmere Technical conceding more than once in a game.
Probably gotta call it a slight upset after Nelson Suburbs won 2-0 away against Nomads United. Goals from Lennon Whewell (19’) and John Reynolds (28’) gave them a lead that they never surrendered. Nomads had won 4-1 up in Nelson when they met in the league and Nelson’s away form has been awful (0-1-3 with two goals scored) but sometimes the cup brings out the goodness in a team. Nelson Suburbs made it to the semi-finals last year so they’ve got some priors in this competition.
There was a healthy win for Dunedin City Royals, they ran out 5-1 victors against Mosgiel. Gabriel Varrica (6’) got them started and then Ashton Hodson (44’, 45+1’) scored a quick brace in the shadows of half-time. Kazik Swain (54’) and Connor Neil (63’) added to that before Mosgiel got a consolation via Campbell Thompson (84’). This was top tier against second tier so that’s how it goes. Same deal as Northern won 2-1 against Otago University. Sounds closer than it was because Toby Orchiston (9’) and Janic Gorman (28’) goals had Northern leading with room to spare most of the way and it was only an 88th min goal from Henry Pierce that caused any beads of sweat to fall at the Caledonian Ground.
Miramar Rangers vs Western Suburbs was the one that popped off the fixture list when the draw was done. There are four teams jostling for position atop the Men’s Central League and Miramar already knocked Wellington Olympic out last round... now they’ve knocked Wests out too. Goals from Nicolas Bobadilla (51’) and Spencer Cameron (53’) were the difference. Brilliant result yet again for Miramar... who are four-time Chatham Cup champions (most recently in 2010) so there’s some football heritage at work here. In fact, the only team still in the hat that’s won more than them is Napier City Rovers (five, most recently in 2019). Rovers won 2-0 away to Palmerston North Marist. Not an easy outing despite playing a team a division down but Ben Stanley (58’) and Callum Cooke (90+3’) got them there in the end.
Seatoun were leading 1-0 with ten minutes gone (Jude Sneddon with the goal) against Petone... and they were still leading with ten minutes to go. But then Alex Davies (80’) and Xavier Coleman (86’) gave Petone the comeback glory to stay alive in the cup. There was almost an ever wilder comeback as Island Bay United went three up against Stop Out thanks to Tsar Mitchener (33’) and Nicolas Ball (45+1’, 63’)... but then leaked two as Trent Magee (76’) and Campbell Webster (80’) made it a funky finish. Must have been extra funky because one of the Stop Out assistants was red carded after the whistle. Not funky enough to stop Island Bay Utd from progressing with a 3-2 win though.
Okay now here comes the shock of the round. Not a crazy upset, there’s only a few spots on the ladder between them, but nonetheless the sight of Birkenhead United losing 3-1 at home to Fencibles United was enough to get anyone sitting upright. Monty Patterson even put them into the lead (27’) only for unanswered strikes from Dylan Laing-McConnell (33’, 56’) and Ronaldo Lopez Munoz (87’) to send Fencies through to the last sixteen and deal a first defeat of the year to Birkenhead United. They’re still on course to run away with the Northern League but there’ll be no further thoughts of a double.
That was one of only two all-Northern League matches. The other put Auckland City and East Coast Bays up against each other. Two teams who’ve been on good runs lately and there wasn’t much to separate them. Just Nathan Rostron (24’) and Adam Mitchell (63’) goals compared to a Guy-Frank Essome Penda goal (34’). Meanwhile there was safe passage for the other Northern Leaguers as Auckland United won 2-1 against Hamilton Wanderers, Jack Beer (21’) and Ben Wallace (32’) scoring their goals while Jake Lindsay (52’) struck back for HW.
Melville United won 3-0 against Ngaruawahia United thanks to an early rush from Milad Alamshah (9’), Max Franke (20’), and Jama Boss (25’). Cambridge also kept up the Waikato presence in the fourth round as they won 3-0 against Northern Rovers with goals from Jack Connor (28’), Jack Portegys (56’), and Josh Clarkin (72’). Takapuna were took good for Waiheke United with a 3-1 result. Waikehe scored first through Facundo Villanueva (30’) but then Abraham Khalil (41’), Luke Robb (51’ pen), and Andrew Cromb (81’) ensured that the favoured team advanced there. But there is still one team from outside the top two divisions left in the hat. There was always going to be as South Auckland Rangers (NRFL League One) met University of Auckland (Sunday League)... and it was SARs who won that game 3-0 with goals from Fauzul Ahmed (31’), Kaliova Tuwai (41’) and an own goal (43’) all in the opening half.
All of which leaves one spectacular between West Coast Rangers and Hibiscus Coast. It was 1-0 to Coast as Mitchell Browne (22’) got the count underway but an own goal in stoppage time made it 1-1 at the break. Jack Caunted (48’) soon put Hibiscus ahead again... only for Allan Pearce (52’) and Joel Elliott (57’) to flip that into a 3-2 WCR advantage. Cameron Kerr (72’) tied things back up again to send it to extra time where nobody else could muster anything so off to penalties it went. 3-3 after extras. Hibiscus Coast then won 4-3 in the shootout.
Into The Fifth Round:
Takapuna, South Auckland Rangers, Auckland United, Cambridge, Auckland City, Melville United, Hibiscus Coast, Fencibles United, Petone, Napier City Rovers, Miramar Rangers, Island Bay United, Cashmere Technical, Dunedin City Royals, Northern, Nelson Suburbs
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