Soccer: In-form Rovers look tough challenge even for Western

There must be a fair degree of trepidation in the Western camp as they go into this afternoon's Women's Knockout Cup semifinal against Claudelands Rovers.

In their three matches en route to the English Park clash, Rovers have run up scores of 20-0, 16-0 and 10-0.

While no one would dare suggest last season's beaten finalists will be a similar pushover, Christchurch-based Western must be wary of a team who finished third behind perennial northern front-runners Lynn Avon in this season's premier league.

Led by international Sarah McLaughlin, Claudelands are seeking to become the first Hamilton-based team to reach the cup final since Waikato Unicol, who won in 1995 after being beaten on penalties in the inaugural final a year earlier.

Western, chasing a second successive appearance in the final, were the first non-northern side since Wairarapa United (in 2000) to reach the final.

To reach the last four, Western beat fellow Canterbury clubs Halswell (2-1 away) and Avon United (2-0 at home) and Dunedin's Roslyn Wakari (5-3 away in the quarter-finals).

Like tomorrow's Chatham Cup, there is a distinct north v south look to the women's semifinals.

While Claudelands must overcome the testing trip to Christchurch, hot favourites Lynn Avon have home advantage for tomorrow's game with Upper Hutt City.

The eight-time cup winners, and cup-holders, have had two testing ties to get through. In their only two matches to reach the semifinals, Lynn Avon beat Three Kings and Glenfield Rovers 2-1 away. Lynn Avon beat Western 6-2 in last season's final.

Upper Hutt City too had two away games in winning through.

After a 2-0 home win over Massey, they edged neighbours Lower Hutt 3-2 and Waterside Karori 4-2.

Dene Gilmore-coached Lynn Avon have again been in irrepressible form this season. Unbeaten in the premier league - nine wins and three draws scoring 48 goals and conceding just five - they go into tomorrow's match brimming with confidence and on course for a 10th cup final appearance in the 16 years of the competition.

With many of New Zealand's best players including members of the extended Football Ferns training squad (Ria Percival, Amber Hearn, Katie Hoyle, Kirsty Yallop and Hayley Moorwood among others), Lynn Avon are again the team to beat.

Their come-from-behind 5-1 win over Claudelands Rovers in last Sunday's top four play-off indicated they remain on course for the top.

NZ WOMEN'S KNOCKOUT CUP

Semifinals

Today

Western v Claudelands Rovers
English Park 1pm
Referee: Rebecca Laurie

Tomorrow

Lynn Avon v Upper Hutt City
Ken Maunder Park 1pm
Referee: Tony Barnes