Aotearoa Domestic Football Roundup – August 17
Kate Sheppard Cup
It was cup semi-final weekend and it all began at Garrick Memorial Park in Christchurch where we had a rematch between two of the Kate Sheppard Cup semi-finalists from last year. On that occasion the Wellington Phoenix Reserves were 2-1 victors over Cashmere Technical in Wellington with Cantabrian Amber De Wit scoring a 90th minute (ADW has since moved to North Dakota State University). Keep that in mind because the pair met at the opposite venue this time around with an opposite outcome.
Some of the other Kate Sheppard Cup and Chatham Cup games this weekend had fireworks from the very start. This one did not as two organised teams tested each other for weaknesses, Tech asking a few questions from their set pieces while the WeeNix did the same with their press. Not many chances to speak of. Isla Cleall-Harding had one for the Nix only for her touch to go awry trying to convert an awkward-heighted cross after some great footwork from Maisy McDonald on the left wing. For the most part, the respective defenders were winning all the duels... until Eliza Vincent slipped a pass through for Lily Brazendale beating the offside trap. Freya Herdman made a sharp save with that one but not long afterwards LB got another chance when Mackenzie Bryant threaded a clever ball into the area. Brazendale was quick enough to get there before Herdman and one touch was all it needed (44’). That Lily Brazendale pace and alertness almost got her a second before the break, charging down a clearance to break the line only for Herdman to make a one-handed stop.
The WeeNix were ahead 1-0 at half-time and they continued to lead after Brooke Neary made a good save off a shot from HT substitute Petra Buyck, then still as Neary denied an Anya Stephan header with an outstretched leg. The tide seemed to be shifting so the Phoenix made some subs to address that threat, allowing Katie Pugh to move into the front three having started as a wing-back, and she helped restore the spark. Pugh almost set one up for Vincent but for another proactive save from Herdman closing down the finish. Maya Alcantara and Laney Strachan each made superb last-ditch tackles for Tech as well.
All of which is to say that it remained 1-0 to the WeeNix with 87 minutes on the clock, whereupon Cashmere Technical scored twice to win it 2-1. Ruby Luxton (89’) and Anya Stephan (90+2’). Incredible stuff at the finish. The Nix had missed opportunities to add to the lead and that cost them dearly because eventually one of those Kate Loye set pieces was going to do some proper damage. The equaliser came from a Loye free kick side-footed in on the volley by substitute Luxton. To the Nix’s credit, they didn’t settle for extra time, showing plenty of intent to win this thing in added time... although maybe they should have slowed it down for extras because instead they were picked off on the break when Luxton whacked a ball in behind and Stephan was too fast and too clinical. Last year Cashmere Tech lost to a late goal against the Phoenix at this stage of the KSC, this year they beat them in the rematch with two late goals.
The next day it was the turn of Eastern Suburbs vs Ellerslie, first vs fifth in the NRFL Premiership although league form often goes out the window when the cup rolls around. That was surely what the Ponies were telling themselves seeing as how they’d lost to Eastern Suburbs three times already this year. Despite those priors, it was a cautious game initially. Eastern Suburbs were patient yet determined as they tried to find space in behind the Ellerslie back three with lots of possession but limited chances. When the chances finally arrived though, they never stopped.
It began with a long ball from Kenya Brooke that snuck through for Sam Tawharu who tried to hold the ball up in the area, got an arm across her shoulder, and was dragged down for a penalty. Maddi Ollington (who is actually Maddi Johnstone now, having gotten married earlier in the year) stepped up to take it against the club she scored so many goals for last season... only for Petra Wedlake to dive low to her right to save it. Alas, in amongst the scrambling after the save, the ref pointed to the spot again. Not clear if there was another foul in there or if it was a retake but as soon as the ref had cleared away the rowdy Ellerslie kids from behind the net, Yuki Nishizono stepped up and buried it. 1-0 to Eastern Suburbs (29’).
First goal’s always crucial in these games. Second goal arguably even more so. Ellerslie asked some questions while down 1-0, with Abby Wright and Rina Hirano both getting decent shots away albeit without testing Nikki Whyte in goal. But soon a deflected effort from Stacey Martin crept through the gloves of Wedlake and Suburbs were up 2-0 (44’) and a couple smart bits of keeping from Whyte made sure it stayed that way into the break. Sixty seconds after the game resumed, Maddi Ollington carried the ball on the charge towards the penalty area and smacked one into the bottom corner for 3-0 (46’). She probably should have scored again two mins later on the end of an Ella Findlay cross but nevertheless.
The fans on the megaphone kept the “Up The Ponies” chants going the entire way and that was some effort from them because this quickly got dire for the visitors. Ollington did get that second goal when she pirouetted into a snapshot from outside the box again (51’) while Sam Tawharu pounced on a deflected cross to slot home and make it five (62’) as the weather took a soggy turn at Maddills Farm. Ollington hit the crossbar after a wonderful set-up from Tawharu. Kitty Jacob was red carded for the Ponies after dragging down Ollington with the goal in sight – she had a teammate dashing across in cover so it was only worth a yellow but sadly she already had one of those so same diffo (68’). The Johnstone nee Ollington hat-trick arrived via a well-placed header after Erika Skindlov had skipped past a tackle to chip one across (72’).
Amelia Hitchcock almost made it seven with a dragged effort off her left shortly after being subbed on – one of a number of late changes from both teams, including both teams giving their reserve goalkeepers a run. And to be fair the back-up keepers did all they were asked since there were no more goals to be seen. 6-0 to Eastern Suburbs who strolled on into their first KS Cup final since winning it in 2019. They were also runners-up in 2005 and 2017. Cashmere Technical have never made a Kate Sheppard Cup final, in fact they’re the first South Island team to make it that far since Coastal Spirit... whom Eastern Subs beat 4-0 in that 2019 final. Very eventful semi-final for Maddi Ollington who scored three goals, hit the crossbar, missed a penalty, missed another big chance, and was fouled for a red card.
Chatham Cup
Saturday evening on the turf at Riverhills Park, Fencibles United kicked off against Nelson Suburbs and in the time it’ll take you to read this sentence they’d already scored. They took the kickoff, worked it back to Jordan Boon in the backline, he switched it out to the right wing where Liam Wessels burst around his marker, low cross towards the near post... and there was Kodie Nicol to apply the finishing touch. Ten seconds on the clock when that ball hit the net.
This is the second year in a row that Nelson Suburbs have made the Chatham Cup semis, the only team from last year’s top four to return to this stage (the Kate Shepp had 3/4 of the 2025 semi-finalists make it back although there’ll be a completely different grand final). Second year in a row that Nelson Suburbs have gotten there and been served up with a trip to Auckland, losing 3-0 to Auckland United at this stage last time. Dunno if the travel was a factor in their slow start, or the evening kickoff for that matter, but it got worse inside of five minutes when Dylan Laing-McConnell stuck a long leg out and whacked in a second goal after Nelson Subs had struggled to deal with a flat corner kick delivery from Ronaldo Lopez Munoz. Matters were compounded further for the visitors when John Reynolds, the American forward who’s been one of their best goal threats this season, had to be replaced with an injury after 13 minutes. Already two goals down and without one of their best candidates to get them back into the match.
They could have crumbled from there but they didn’t. Nelson Suburbs came from a goal down to beat Auckland United in the quarter-final and last week battled from 3-0 down at HT to draw 3-3 against Christchurch United league action. Granted, both of those were home games. And this is where the focus shifts from Fencies having a blistering attacking start to Fencies being such a well-organised team across the park, giving very little away after establishing that early lead. Sota Yuasa had a couple of saves to make but it was his distribution and the way he controlled the space behind the defensive line that made the most impact. Didn’t give them a sniff and then Laing-McConnell pounced on the press to make it 3-0 with literally the last kick of the match (90+5’). Same scoreline that Nelson Subs lost by in their previous trip to Auckland. Fencibles United are into their very first Chatham Cup final.
Cup weekend was poised to be a showcase for Cashmere Technical with both their men’s and women’s teams making it to the semis off the back of having already wrapped up league championships. The ladies got the job done (late) on Saturday afternoon while the blokes had their chance on Sunday. There was even the extra motivation of the possibility of Christchurch hosting the grand finals if both teams qualified. Garrick Park was the venue for Cashmere Technical vs Napier City Rovers, the Southern League champs against the leaders in the Central League... and just like what happened to the Cash Tech women, the Cash Tech men conceded first. Too early to say if it was against the run of play but it was definitely in keeping with the Napier City Rovers tendency for getting dangerous deliveries into the area. So dangerous that Callum Cook scored directly from a corner kick in the ninth minute. Misjudged by the keeper and it simply floated in.
But it didn’t take long for Tech to respond. Garbhan Coughlan badly shanked the first opportunity that came his way but was soon played through by Lyle Matthysen and there was never any doubt that he’d bury that one (14’). Almost set one up for Finn Caughey shortly after too – there’s no reprieve when you’re up against that fella. Napier City settled things down from there, weathering the storm like the excellent defensive team they’ve been all year, with the two main moments from the rest of the half being refereeing decisions. Matthysen was taken down by NCR goalie Will Tønning but was offside so no need for any drama. Up the other end, Aston Hurd got chopped but it was ruled a free kick on the edge of the box instead of a penalty. Liam Schofield produced a pair blocked shots from that.
Two and a half minutes into the second spell, Lyle Matthysen worked a slick one-two with Coughlan before thumping a knuckler beyond Tønning from outside the box (48’). From one down to one up... and they did it with a lot more time to spare than their women’s team did. That’s not necessarily a good thing because it left them a long time to try hold on against a Napier side that spent the final fifteen minutes of this game throwing the kitchen sink and whatever other household utilities they could find towards an equaliser. Corner kicks and long throws. Crosses from open play. It was an aerial bombardment but goalkeeper Pieter-Taco Bierema and his defence saw it through to the final whistle. 2-1 to Cashmere Technical. The CTFC men and women both confirmed league titles in the same weekend and they’ve now both confirmed cup final appearances in the same weekend... earning them another weekend to look forward to in early September... made extra special by the confirmation that One NZ Stadium in Christchurch will be hosting the games back to back on 5 September with free entry for all. Right on. They’ll be the first footy games at the new stadium, with the All Whites vs India to follow in November.
Cashmere Tech have made three CC finals in the past, all within the career span of Tom Schwarz. He was there in 2013 when Cashmere won 3-1 against Waitakere City, he was there in 2014 when they won 2-1 against Central United, and he was there in 2021 when they won 4-2 against Miramar Rangers. He’ll be there in 2026 as well. Lyle Matthysen, Garbhan Coughlan, and Yuya Taguchi all started in 2021 while Alex Ballard was a late substitute. Tech coach Dan Schwarz (brother of Tom, of course) played the first two finals and will have coached the next two.
Men’s Northern League
Moving onto league enterprises now and Birkenhead United are now only two games away from an undefeated Northern League campaign. They went over the bridge and down the motorway to meet Tauranga City at Links Ave on Saturday and beat them 3-0 with goals from Roman Engle (39’), Rayhan Carlson-Du Toit (65’), and Dino Botica (90+4’). Two defenders in the action there – Engle and Botica. That’s seven for Botica during this championship run for Birko, that brother cannot be contained. As for Engle, this was his first and it was a beauty dribbling forward from the left and working a one-two with Kian Donkers before smashing home from twenty yards. Engle played a little bit for the NZ U20s back in a 2023 tour of Indonesia back when he was based on the Gold Coast. Can’t overlook Carlson-Du Toit either who whacked a free kick straight into the wall with his right foot and then half-volleyed the rebound into the net with his left. Pick that one out. Birko face Fencibles and Bay Olympic in their last two fixtures as they seek to emulate both Auckland City and Eastern Suburbs who both went undefeated in the 2023 Northern League (ACFC won the title by four points having drawn fewer matches). Last year Western Springs won the title despite having lost 6/22 games.
Western Springs have lost more than six this year... the count is now 11 MNL defeats following what’s surely the worst of them all: Manukau United 1-0 Western Springs. Nathan Sumner with the winner in the 48th minute. Pretty awful from Springs, who may not have anything to play for in the league but they do need to stay ready for a likely 2026 National League playoff next month. But forget about them for a sec and celebrate Manukau United whose previous four games were against the current top four and they’d lost by a combined scoreline of 24-1. They were on an 8-game losing streak overall. Had not kept a clean sheet all year. Then they did this.
Auckland FC Reserves had a spectacular road trip winning 5-1 against Melville United. A couple of their fellas had chipped in for the A-League side in a preseason friendly win over East Coast Bays midweek. Sean Kane played the first half at fullback while Eli Jones and Dejaun Naidoo were in the squad, not sure if they got on as subs. Must have been a confidence-booster because both Kane and Naidoo scored in this game. Charlie Hale, meanwhile, got a hatty. It was Naidoo (2’) and Hale (18’) who established AFC’s lead. Lucca Lim (52’) brought Melville back within range and as the match entered its latter stages it appeared that the result was in the balance... until Hale (78’, 81’) and Kane (85’) suggested otherwise. Hale also assisted Naidoo’s goal (which was a belter top-corner finish from DN).
Don’t look now but Auckland FC have won five of their past eight matches. Same as last year they’re finding form at the back end of the campaign and if they continue to mirror last year’s antics then they’ll be a force in the National League too. Charlie Hale has scored nine goals in eight matches since transferring from the Phoenix Academy. AFC have won 4/5 games in which fellow mid-season recruit Piet-Heyn van Baarzel has started, bringing a much needed defensive boost along with him. With one game to go, Rory Fallon’s lads are almost guaranteed to finish seventh. They were ninth last year with a 6-5-11 record (33 goals for, 37 goals against). More wins (8), more points (27), more goals (38), and a higher finish (8th at worst) than their first year in the Northern League with a game to go. Gotta respect it.
Eastern Suburbs were too good for Bay Olympic, also winning 5-1 away. Hector Echague got the Lilywhites started after a goalkeeping error (16’) however Marco Favaro (45’) levelled up from close range just before the half. Favaro’s goal came after he missed a penalty... which fortunately was recovered by a teammate and put on a platter for him a few yards out. Could have been a few worries there for Eastern Suburbs until they went up the gears in the last 35 mins. Goals for Eber Ramirez (57’), Ignacio Machuca Maturena (74’), a second for Echague (78’), and then one for Kofi Dwamena (90+3’) to spoil the fully South American flavour to the scoresheet. Echague’s second, a thumping volley from 18 yards that nearly tore through the net, was the pick of the bunch.
That win moves Eastern Subs up to second and they’ll stay there as long as they win one of their last two games (or Auckland City doesn’t win their one remaining match). Both ESAFC and ACFC are guaranteed top four because Auckland United and Fencibles United play each other on Wednesday night, hence only one of them, at best, can overtake either of those two. Makes that Fencies vs AUFC match a gigantic proposition within the fourth-place race, with East Coast Bays sitting at home begging for a draw to bring them back into the equation.
Women’s NRFL Premiership
With two NRFL Prem teams in the Kate Sheppard Cup semis (playing each other), there were only two league games able to be played. Two fascinating league games though. The first was on Friday night where Fencibles United hosted West Coast Rangers and beat them 2-1 to confirm their qualification to this summer’s National League. Emily Lyon put WCR ahead (28’) after Olivia Curgenven picked her out in the area, Lyon calmly stepping past a challenge before picking her spot. But Hayley Miller tied the game up with an equally good finish (45+1’) and Mila Clark won it at the death with a header from a corner (90+3’). Clark was one of the four Fencies players picked for the Auckland FC U17s games recently. Stoppage time goals in both halves.
Unlike West Coast Rangers, Fencibles won’t have enough money in the bank from previous seasons to get into the revamped National League but their 2026 qualification will give them a good idea where the level is at that they’ll be aiming to be promoted into in the future. Rangers only need two more points to book their own top four status, albeit Fencibles have probably nailed down third place thanks to this result. Goal #12 for Emily Lyon this year keeps her in the Golden Boot race with potentially prosperous matches against Melville and Tauranga to follow. Maggie Jenkins (16) and Maddi Ollington (13) still lead the way there. Maggie, Maddi, and (E)mily.
Tauranga Moana vs Melville United was the other match. Last versus second-to-last, always a good opportunity for points. Very wet conditions in Tauranga and yet it was an absolutely sizzling start from the home side who scored after twenty seconds when Belle Ririnui nicked the ball off a defender, rounded the keeper, and finished into the empty net. Not the fastest goal of the week, check the Chatham Cup section for more, but she wasn’t far off. Melville fought back though. Equalised through a tidy Mia Humphrey finish (11’) and then Tyla Webster (58’) and Lola Williams (71’) added second half goals as Melville took it 3-1.
Both those second half goals were follow-ups after the Moana keeper had spilled/parried the ball, with those slippery conditions causing some havoc. Two extremely young sides (half a dozen of the Tauranga players lined up for the U18s the day prior) and you could see Melville becoming more assertive as the game went on, able to really get into their passing patterns against a similarly-aged opponent where they didn’t have to overcome a physicality deficit. Fourth win of the campaign for Melville, three of which have come against Tauranga (the other was against Western Springs way back in game one).
Women’s Central League
Just the one rescheduled game over in these parts but it was a pretty consequential one. Victoria University won 2-0 against Petone thanks to goals from Nicola Baird (17’) and Amanda Everett (79’), therefore not only are Wellington United closer than ever to defending their title, without even having to do anything, but it also leaves Petone at the mercy of Waterside Karori for second place and National League qualification. Petone were leading the league for much of the year but have trailed off slightly and that’s all it takes when the race is this hectic. This defeat will allow Karori to move into second if they win their game in hand. Quite a turnaround after Petone had beaten Vic Uni 10-0 in the reverse fixture in May. Wellington United need five points from their last three games to make it a three-peat in the Women’s Central League. Incredibly, Vic Uni goalkeeper Annabelle Jackson has now kept three clean sheets in a row - this for a team that had allowed 59 goals in 13 games up until then.
Women’s South Island League
Two games in the South Island League. One on Saturday, one on Sunday. Both involved Nelson Suburbs. After a few weather related postponements earlier in the year, Nelson Suburbs ended up having to spend a weekend in Dunedin where they faced Dunedin City Royals one day and then Otago University the next. The DCR game was supposed to be a home match but it must have made more sense to play both games in Dunners and make an occasion out of it. Hence they used the same 16-woman travelling matchday squad for each time with Simonne McManus, Molly Nisbett, Kasey Brydon, Emily Lauer, Liene Schulze-Steinen, Petra Lukey, Sophie Stamp, Amy Billingsley, and Meg Inwood all starting both games. According to the match programme, Nelson Suburbs were also down a handful of players because this trip clashed with with Nelson College for Girls school ball... just to add to another obstacle for them.
Needless to say, they lost them both. Dunedin City Royals won 6-1 with goals from Georgia Keen (9’), Sylvie Haig (27’, 42’, 74’), Ruby Burgess (45+1’ pen), and an own goal (80’) with Liene Schulze-Steinen (51’) scoring for Nelson Subs in between the third and fourth goals. That game kicked off at 4pm Saturday. At 11.30am the following day began a fixture which would conclude: Otago University 3-0 Nelson Suburbs. Goals from Jemma McCormick (18’, 60’) and Madison Kay (90+4’). Very good effort from Suburbs to keep that second one as close as they did for as long as they did given how the challenges to their depth and fitness. With those two games in the books, everybody in the WSIL has two games left to play. Cashmere Tech have already won it but Dunedin City (25 points, +25 goal diff) and Otago Uni (23 points, +11 goal diff) are making a scrap of it for second place. DCR should win against Unis of Canterbury and NW United to wrap that up but nothing’s for certain until it happens.
Oceania Men’s Champions League
And while all that was happening, over in Fiji there’s a Champions League going on where Auckland City have carefully manoeuvred themselves into the knockouts with three wins from three in the group stage. Sounds emphatic but it’s been anything but. Game one against Central Coast (Solomon Islands) they were losing until late goals from Gerard Garriga (78’) and Ryan de Vries (80’) earned them a 2-1 win. Game two against Tiga Sport (New Caledonia) it took until the 85th minute for Mario Ilich to score in a 1-0 win. Then game three against Venus (Tahiti) they were 2-0 down after 26 minutes... Michael Doudera (45’) and Christian Gray (54’) levelling things up before Germain Haewegene’s 77th min goal put them back in a deficit. But like they always seem to do, Auckland City found a way. Ryan Watson (84’) and Matt Ellis (90’) with the equaliser and winner respectively as ACFC took the points with a 4-3 result.
They’ll face hometown heroes Rewa (Fiji) in the semi-final with Galaxy (Vanuatu) and Central Coast (Solomon Islands) contesting the other semi. Three wins from three, all determined by goals scored after the 79th minute. They’ve scored seven times via seven different scorers. 5/7 goals have come in the last dozen minutes of those games... say what you will about those first halves but fitness and squad depth are never an issue for the Navy Blues – who know better than anyone that these Oceania games are often much trickier than they ought to be and a win by any means is still a win.
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