Three Kings to face Waitakare
Three Kings United are one game away from the Chatham Cup final after thrashing North Wellington at home 6-1 last Saturday.
A hat-trick from former All White Allan Pearce, two from Cameron Philpot and a goal from Harrison Nash in the quarterfinal keeps them in contention for New Zealand’s most prestigious club prize.
Coach Neil Sykes says they’ve played really well this season, and fans can expect nothing less when they play in the semifinal on August 27.
They have been drawn against Waitakare City at Fred Taylor Park.
The other semifinal match will see Birkenhead United host Miramar Rangers.
Sykes expects the do-or-die match to be tough and hopes fans will come out in numbers to support the team as they play away from home.
‘‘We’ve played 15 games undefeated so far and we’re playing really well.
‘‘We’re second in the league and we have a remarkable team.’’
The Chatham Cup is what the side has been working towards after four years of development.
Three Kings United has never won the Chatham Cup since it began in 1923. They came close in the final in 2009 but lost to Wellington Olympic 2-1.
This is something they will work hard to change come the end of the month.
‘‘We have local players, a very young team with most of our players from youth club. It took us four years of development to achieve these kinds of results and it’s really paid off.
‘‘The semifinal is just another game and we’re treating it as such. If it gets us to that final then good for us,’’ Sykes says.
Last year’s Chatham Cup winners were Eastern Suburbs.
The 2016 season has been outstanding for Three Kings United Club.
The women’s side have already won the NRFL premier title, with two games remaining.
They also have had an undefeated streak in the league. Last Sunday they thrashed Papatoetoe AFC 5-0.
The men’s team are in second spot with 36 points in the league leaderboard, behind Central United who lead with 40 points.
Four games remain for the side in the NRFL. They play against Onehunga Sports on Saturday at 3pm.