So I missed last round and this ones easy as most teams have never
played each other before but here is a preview for the Quarter finals
this weekend
Saturday 4 August
Manukau United (NPL) v Cashmere Technical (MPL, SIL), Centre Park, Mangere, KO 2pm
Manukau United are a new club, but they have Kevin Fallon at the helm and he has won the cup before with Nelson United. Although he probably provided some easy motivation for Cashmere Technical when he described them in his blog as Aaron Clapham and 10 other blokes!
Cashmere Technical won the cup in 2013 & 14
PICK Think Manukau will win due to the home advantage, whatever the score follow Manukau United on twitter for an entertaining afternoon, the account would make even the dullest 0-0 draw seem entertaining!
Onehunga Sports (NPL) v Western Suburbs (CL), Waikaraka Park, Onehunga KO 2pm
This is THE game of the round, defending champions against probably the most exciting football team in NZ for a long time
Onehunga will be with out their coach, who is away in Fiji with the U20s. Wests could have lost 5 players to the U20s but they haven't gone
Wests have won the Cup three times, 1935, 71 and 2006
PICK a very entertaining game with some lovely football, think Wests will edge it but wouldn't be surprised if it goes to pens
All I really know is if you are in Auckland and trying to pick which game to go to, pick this one
Wairarapa United (CL) v Birkenhead United (NPL), Masterton Memorial Park, KO 5pm
Rapa 2011 winners up against Birko 2016 winners, another one that is very hard to pick and could easily go to pens
Sunday 5th August
Nelson Suburbs (MPL, SIL) v East Coast Bays (NPL), Saxton Field, Nelson, KO 2pm
Nelson Suburbs best run in the cup came in 2008, they got to the semi finals that year where they lost 2-1 to......East Coast Bays, ECB went on to win the cup that year which is their best ever performance
PICK I'd love to say Nelson, but got a feeling that ECB will be too strong for them