The semi-finalists have been found in the Kate Sheppard Cup after quarter-finals action on the first weekend in July saw the holders survive a scare, an "Olimpico" decide the duel between the South Island's two unbeaten teams, a late fightback just fail to realise its objective, and a statement made in the clash between the northern region's league title tusslers. To the Drury Sports Complex firstly, where Franklin United stunned cup holders Western Springs in the seventh minute by taking the lead through Georgia Irvine's seventh minute volley, one which Amberley Hollis should have dealt with far better than was the case. United's joy was short-lived, as Megan Lee had "The Hoops" back on level terms just four minutes later via a gem of a free-kick from the edge of the 'D'. Lee and Charli Dunn both hit the crossbar either side of the half-time whistle as Springs looked to make their higher ranking count on the scoreboard, a feat they finally fulfilled in the 65th minute through Rina Hirano's close-range finish. Keely Taylor kept United in it soon afterwards when denying Rebecca Burrows, but from the resulting Britney Cunningham-Lee-led counter-attack, Sarah Carpenter squandered a glorious chance to equalise with the goal at her mercy, steering her attempt past the post when she had all the time in the world to control the ball and pick her spot. That miss was punished mercilessly just seconds later by Maia Lythe, securing Springs' passage into the semi-finals courtesy a come-from-behind 3-1 win over a Franklin side which was far from disgraced, and would have fancied their chances of an upset but for a finish Carpenter won't forget in a hurry. Both Dunedin City Royals and Cashmere Technical went into their quarter-final showdown at Tahuna Park with perfect season-long records. Something had to give, and but for Kelsey Kennard's goal-line denial, Lainey Altieri-Need would have put the visitors in front just three minutes into the contest. Right on the stroke of half-time, Lauren Paterson had to deal with some friendly fire to ensure "The Royals" went to the break on level terms, although Lily Fisher should have at least hit the target with the rebound, instead of scooping it over the bar. Cashmere should have broken the deadlock with twenty minutes remaining when Emma Kench danced through the defence to leave herself one-on-one with Paterson, only to fire past the post. Dunedin responded through Bianca Park, whose cross-shot was tipped over the bar by Scarlett Gray eleven minutes from time. It increasingly looked like something special would be needed to break this closely-contested affair, and Shontelle Smith provided it five minutes from time, scoring direct from a corner to the delight of her team-mates and the despair of the travelling team, who couldn't muster a response in the time remaining. The capital derby saw Wellington Phoenix overcome Waterside Karori 3-2 at Karori Park, where a long-range strike saw "The Magpies" hit the bar in the sixth minute. Wellington survived that scare, and responded via Emma McCann's penalty ten minutes before the interval. Manaia Elliot came off the bench just before the hour mark and within two minutes had doubled Wellington's advantage when one-on-one with Annie Foote, who made a right pig's ear of attempting to keep out another Elliot effort twenty minutes later, a goal which would ultimately prove to be decisive. For "The Magpies" made things interesting in the closing minutes, Molly Newton-Smith punishing some awful defending in time-honoured fashion before Kennedy Bryant thundered home a thirty-yarder in stoppage time to set up a grandstand finish. Alas for Waterside, 'twas too little, too late, and 'tis Wellington Phoenix who advance to their maiden Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final. Joining them in the last four are Auckland United,

who served up a statement scoreline at Keith Hay Park as they routed closest rivals West Coast Rangers 5-1, opening the scoring just two minutes into play through Alexis Cook - one of the best examples of counter-attacking football you will see this season. Twenty minutes later, United doubled their lead through Danielle Canham, who slammed the ball high into an empty net after Charlotte Roche had been Rangers goalkeeper, Joanne Peel, in the air. On the half-hour, Bree Johnson's off-the-ball movement caught the attention of United goalkeeper Hannah Mitchell, who paid the price for taking her eye off the ball at this time as Emma Kete rolled back the years with a long-range rocket which bounced in past the embarrassed custodian. United were quickly back in their groove, however, and only a superb denial by Ella Dorward denied Roche after the striker had rounded Peel nine minutes before half-time. Five minutes later, Rangers went desperately close to levelling the scores through Johnson, who was denied an equaliser against her old club by Mitchell's fine save. Auckland went through the gears in the second spell, and once Chelsea Elliott headed home from close range on receipt of an Alaina Granger corner, there was no stopping them. Another close-range finish from Roche rewarded her night's work, while the goal of the night came twenty minutes from time, Saskia Vosper's twenty-five yard snorter soaring into the top far corner of the net to wrap up an emphatic Auckland victory in fine style. Tuesday's draw is eagerly awaited by these clubs, while in the lone South Island Women's League clash played this weekend, Zara Pratley's second minute opener was cancelled out by Giselle Rynvos' strike early in the second spell at Ellis Park as Nelson Suburbs held Roslyn Wakari to a 1-1 draw. Next weekend's action around the country sees the northern region's remaining Kate Sheppard Cup contenders clashing at Keith Hay Park on Saturday evening, while the other Lotto Northern Premier Women's League fixtures take place on Sunday. The pick of them sees Eastern Suburbs taking on West Coast Rangers at Madills Farm, while Fencibles United and Hibiscus Coast square off at Riverhills Park on a day the bottom two lock horns - a must-win game for Hamilton Wanderers as they entertain Ellerslie at Porritt Stadium. In the Central Region Premier Women's League, leaders Wellington United kick things off on Friday evening when taking on Seatoun at Newtown Park. "The Magpies" take on Taradale at Karori Park in one of three Saturday fixtures, the others seeing Petone take on Marist Palmerston North at Arena Manawatu, and Victoria University welcoming Moturoa to Boyd Wilson Park. Saturday's South Island Women's League action sees Cashmere and Nelson locking horns at Garrick Memorial Park, while "The Royals" head across town to Ellis Park to take on Roslyn Wakari on a day Otago University make the trip north to face Coastal Spirit at English Park. 'Twas there that Spirit survived a genuine scare in the Reta Fitzpatrick Cup during the week, seeing off Canterbury Universities 5-4 on penalties after squandering a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2. Kate Sheppard Cup details: Auckland United 5 (A. Cook (2), D. Canham (23), C. Elliott (57), C. Roche (64), S. Vosper (71)), West Coast Rangers 1 (E. Kete (30))  HT 2-1 Dunedin City Royals 1 (S. Smith (85)), Cashmere Technical 0  HT 0-0 Franklin United 1 (G. Irvine (7)), Western Springs 3 (M. Lee (11), R. Hirano (65), M. Lythe (72))  HT 1-1 Waterside Karori 2 (M. Newton-Smith (86), K. Bryant (90)), Wellington Phoenix 3 (E. McCann (34 pen), M. Elliot (58, 77))  HT 0-1 South Island Women's League details: Roslyn Wakari 1 (Z. Pratley (2)), Nelson Suburbs 1 (G. Rynvos (53))  HT 1-0