Eight-goal win ‘bonus' for Royals

Otago Daily Times

11-05-2025

Green Island's Amelia Caltaux (left) and Dunedin City Royals' Katerina Kiousis battle for the ball during their Kate Sheppard Cup game on Saturday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
The Dunedin City Royals had a big 8-0 win over Green Island in the first round of the Kate Sheppard Cup at Sunnyvale on Saturday.
Royals coach Kris Ridley was keen to give everything in pursuit of a place in the next round and named a strong starting team to make sure they did not take the home side lightly.
Green Island held out for the opening quarter, but once in-form striker Raegan Potter opened the scoring, the Royals were on their way to the next round.
Potter scored again and Kylie Jones made it 3-0 at the break.
Despite Green Island goalkeeper Morgan Whitson's heroics, Potter bagged another two goals, along with Abby Nicholson.
Late goals to Hannah Mackay-Wright and Florence MacIntyre secured the victory.
Ridley said the focus was delivering a performance of which the Royals could be proud.
"Credit to their keeper who made some great saves, but we're pleased to progress," Ridley said.
"The result is a bonus, but getting through was the main goal."
He paid tribute to 15-year-old Maia Scott, who had a good performance off the bench in her debut.
In the other regional Kate Sheppard Cup game, Queens Park took Northern to a penalty shootout at the Caledonian Ground.
The game was locked up at 0-0 until the 77th minute when Northern's Leilani Baeumer opened the scoring, and it looked like the single goal would be enough.
However, Tyler Andrews' equaliser for Queens Park two minutes from the whistle took the game to extra time.
No further goals during extra time meant the game went to a shootout, in which Northern prevailed 3-2.
The Royals and Northern will be joined in the next round draw by Roslyn-Wakari and University, who had the bye.
The men's Chatham Cup featured most local teams being given a bye into the next round, and only two local games were played.
At Sunnyvale, Green Island beat Invercargill's Old Boys 3-1 despite conceding a ninth-minute goal to James Fleming.
Walid Ouhassine nodded home the equaliser in the 18th minute from close range.
Green Island created the better chances in the second half with Ryan Walker in particular threatening.
He had a glorious opportunity that went over the crossbar, then a curling effort that Old Boys keeper Cooper Marrah did well to tip over.
The introduction of Green Island's experience from the bench made the difference when coach Jared White brought on Jack Kelly, Sam Dore and Kerian Stephenson.
Within a couple of minutes, Walker got the goal he deserved when his shot deceived Marrah, and Spencer Smith's 86th-minute goal from close range made the game safe for Green Island.
In Timaru, Northern Hearts entertained Roslyn-Wakari and won 3-2.
Both teams had in-form strikers with Hearts' Bailey Chambers and Roslyn's Nathan Wilkie bagging braces.
Wilkie put Roslyn 1-0 up after seven minutes only to see Chambers equalise two minutes later.
Wilkie's 42nd-minute penalty was then immediately cancelled out by a Chambers penalty for Hearts.
The difference came in between when Ruben Gonzalez scored in the 29th minute for Hearts.
After five goals in the first half, both defensive lines tightened for no further goals in the second half.
Hearts and Green Island will be joining the Royals, Wānaka, University, Northern, Queens Park and Mosgiel in the draw for the next round.
— Neville Watson