Tauranga City AFC Women are on a dream cup run which will continue this Saturday at Links Avenue.

The Light Blues face Auckland United FC in the Football Foundation Kate Sheppard Cup, the country's premier women's domestic cup competition, in what might be the biggest game in the team's history.

Considering this is the first time Tauranga City have competed in the competition the way in which they have cruised their way into the final eight is even more impressive.

After receiving a bye in the Preliminary Round, City went on to thrash Claudelands Rovers 8-0 in Round One. In Round Two, City welcomed Onehunga Sports to Tauranga, winning 4-1, and in Round Three travelled to Auckland where they defeated Birkenhead United 5-0.

Auckland United will be by far their toughest opponents yet. They currently sit fourth in the NRFL Women's Premier League 2022.

Tauranga City are currently bottom of the same league and suffered an 8-1 loss the last time the two teams met in May.

However, City will take encouragement from their previous home league meeting with their weekend rivals at Links Ave, a closely fought 3-1 defeat at the start of April.

Regardless of Saturday's result, the dream cup run continues to highlight the progression being made by the team, currently being led by head coach Nic Millichip.

Following their undefeated 2021 WaiBOP W-League season, alongside the hard work off the pitch to receive the necessary accreditation and coaching standards, the club made the step up to the Northern Region league system this year.

While it has been a predictably difficult debut season, Tauranga City have picked up a win over last season's Kate Sheppard Cup runners-up Hamilton Wanderers and a draw with fellow league newbies West Coast Rangers - results which will give them hope of continued growth.

Indeed, the cup run and level up is seen as a positive by Tauranga City's director of football Barry Gardiner.

'It's really pleasing to see our womens first team make it into the quarter-final,” says Barry.

'It is the first year we have entered the competition and it shows the progress we have made as a club in the female space.

'Competing in the NRFL Premier Division this year has allowed for tough games every week but it goes to show it is helping us grow and develop as a team.”

A positive result and performance in this Saturday's huge cup tie will only help toward that progression.

'It's a great opportunity for Nic and the girls as well as the club to create more history for the club and get into the semi-final draw,” says Barry.

Tauranga City take on Auckland United at Links Avenue this Saturday, July 9. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Any non-regulars wishing to attend should avoid entry to Links Avenue from Concord Ave as there is now a cul-de-sac system in place.