Kate Sheppard Cup Preview
Our Premier Women are in action in their first match of the Kate Sheppard Cup against Northern Rovers this week! We spoke to Head Coach Ryan Faithfull to preview the match!
WSAFC: First game of the Kate Sheppard Cup this Friday night at Ngahue. How excited are you and the team?
RF: Yes, we’ve had this scheduled on the calendar for a while now! The team is looking forward to competing for the Kate Sheppard Cup.
WSAFC: We've drawn Northern Rovers, a tough opponent who are currently winning the League. Last time we played them in the League, it was a 0-0 draw, what are you expecting from the game this time around?
RF: Northern Rovers are a good side and have been tracking well in the league & we’re expecting a very competitive and entertaining match. Cup games are different to the league games, there is more at stake and the mentality is different. Cup games are won and lost in big moments and we a team who thrive for these moments.
WSAFC: Last week, we got back to winning ways, away against Tauranga City. How does that prepare the team going into the Cup match against Northern Rovers?
RF: Over the last month we’ve had disruptions and set-backs with Covid, and I don’t care as much for wins and losses - as I do for good performances. Don’t get me wrong, you cannot compete for the league if you don’t win - but it is more important to perform well and earn the result as an outcome of this. I felt we performed well against Tauranga, we created a lot of quality chances - but lacked the final finish. The team is hungry to prove themselves this weekend in this area.
WSAFC: What is your favourite Cup memory?
RF: I have two fond memories about the Kate Sheppard Cup, and for two very different reasons. The first memory was winning the Kate Sheppard Cup in 2016 with Forrest Hill Milford, an end to end match that finished in penalties.
My second memory of the Kate Sheppard Cup was our Friday night match in 2021 against Northern Rovers. An incredibly competitive match - and probably one of the best matches I’ve been involved in, in New Zealand. I will remember the match for the competitive nature of the game, the team spirit to come back from being behind twice and the sheer determination of our team.
Come and support Ryan and the team in what is looking to be a brilliant match!
Western Springs AFC vs Northern Rovers FC
Kate Sheppard Cup
Friday 3rd June 2022
Ngahue Reserve, St Johns
Kick Off: 6:45pm
