Wellington United Diamonds Kate Sheppard Cup Finalists
DIAMONDS INTO KATE SHEPPARD CUP FINAL
Monday 7 March, 2022
Words Dave Webster \ WUAFC Media
Photos : TJF photos
It was a case of third time lucky for the Diamonds, playing in their third consecutive Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final as they saw off Northern League Champions and current Cup holders Eastern Suburbs in a close match at Newtown Park on Saturday.
Beset by injuries and illness, coach Maika Ruyter-Hooley was without several of her regular starters and had been making changes to the team and formation almost right up to kick off.
It was Eastern Suburbs who started brighter having an attack down the left wing in the second minute, but keeper Molly Simons made a good save at the attackers feet. Eastern Suburbs dominated the possession in the first half but were unable to get past the Diamonds back line with Rosie Wild in particular making some crucial tackles. Despite Easts possession, it was the Diamonds who managed more shots on goal in the first half with long range efforts from Zoe Barrott and Sarah Alder.
The second half Diamonds came out with a bit more purpose and started to gain more possession. In the 67th minute, in a move that started with the keeper, Zoe Barrot picked up the ball on the left wing and headed towards the centre of the pitch before sending a lovely ball to the far corner where it was met by Pepi Olliver-Bell who fired in a cross which sailed over Corina Brown in the Eastern Suburbs goal and landed in the back of the net to make it 1-0.
The game stepped up a notch as Eastern Suburbs searched for an equaliser and it led to a particular frantic last 15 minutes where Easts managed to hit the crossbar twice and Molly Simons pulled off a couple of speculator saves to keep the score at 1-0 and see Wellington United Diamonds in to their first ever Kate Sheppard Cup Final.
They will face another Cup final debutant in Wanderers of Hamilton. The date and venue of the final are still to be confirmed by NZ Football.
ENDS
2021 Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final
Saturday 5 March, 2022
Newtown Park, Wellington
Wellington United Diamonds (0) 1 (Pepi Olliver-Bell)
Eastern Suburbs (0) 0
Beset by injuries and illness, coach Maika Ruyter-Hooley was without several of her regular starters and had been making changes to the team and formation almost right up to kick off.
It was Eastern Suburbs who started brighter having an attack down the left wing in the second minute, but keeper Molly Simons made a good save at the attackers feet. Eastern Suburbs dominated the possession in the first half but were unable to get past the Diamonds back line with Rosie Wild in particular making some crucial tackles. Despite Easts possession, it was the Diamonds who managed more shots on goal in the first half with long range efforts from Zoe Barrott and Sarah Alder.
The second half Diamonds came out with a bit more purpose and started to gain more possession. In the 67th minute, in a move that started with the keeper, Zoe Barrot picked up the ball on the left wing and headed towards the centre of the pitch before sending a lovely ball to the far corner where it was met by Pepi Olliver-Bell who fired in a cross which sailed over Corina Brown in the Eastern Suburbs goal and landed in the back of the net to make it 1-0.
The game stepped up a notch as Eastern Suburbs searched for an equaliser and it led to a particular frantic last 15 minutes where Easts managed to hit the crossbar twice and Molly Simons pulled off a couple of speculator saves to keep the score at 1-0 and see Wellington United Diamonds in to their first ever Kate Sheppard Cup Final.
They will face another Cup final debutant in Wanderers of Hamilton. The date and venue of the final are still to be confirmed by NZ Football.
ENDS
2021 Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final
Saturday 5 March, 2022
Newtown Park, Wellington
Wellington United Diamonds (0) 1 (Pepi Olliver-Bell)
Eastern Suburbs (0) 0
