Ah cup weekends. Is there anything better?
The Milan Lakoseljac Cup, Women’s Statewide Cup and U20s Cup all kick off their R16 clashes this weekend and there are some tasty matches to look forward to!
In the ‘Laka Cup’ the two highlights for me is the Kingborough Lions United Football Club v the newly formed Clarence Zebras, and Launceston City v the reigning NPL TAS champions Devonport Strikers.
Kingborough over the years have really been a hit and miss club with a mixed bag of results over past seasons. It’s no secret just when the Lions begin to roar with some promising results, they cave back into the usual ways.
But something tells me perhaps we could see some change from that trend this year.
Lions coach Jez Kenth is the perfect man to get the Caledonians back to the winning circle more frequently.
Honestly I think the shorter season will benefit them. They have lost some talent with Tim Baker (back in USA) and Javi Verdu Sanchez (injuries thus out for season) but it’s a good chance for the youth to shine and I am looking forward to seeing the end result.
Switching focus to the Zebras. Coach David Smith has assembled a good unit for the season. Luke Huigsloot and Matthew Pace are all back so the attack is certainly there. Another interesting factor is that they have also appeared to have signed former Lion keeper Nick O’Connell.
Let’s move up North to another great matchup. Launceston City struggled last season and were unable to repeat their 2018 4th place, finishing 7th last year.
Striker Noah Mies is back so the question is can the midfield feed in Mies to give the finishing product?
“The match v Devonport is a very tough match up but we’ll go in all guns blazing and can definitely cause an upset at home” Mies said to TTGB.
City will need Mies at his absolute best this season if they are going to be successful.
Devonport have also been busy and have welcomed back Eddie Bidwell to Valley Rd. Bidwell returned to Tasmania early this year from QLD’s Logan Lightning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think if there’s a main thing I’m looking forward to is just the community coming back to some sort of normality! I think the North-West community deserves a lot of praise from all areas, for the way it has adapted so quickly in these current times! Also I’m extremely keen to just get back out on to the pitch and get touches on the ball” Bidwell said to TTGB.
Switching focus to the Women’s Statewide Cup. WSL Runners Up from 2019 Olympia FC Warriors will host Ulverstone SC at Warrior Park.
The Warriors are still as strong as ever. With the recent signing of Olivia Bomford (Belconnen United Blue Devils) coming home, and throw in the returning Bonnie Davies and Innocent Michael, these women are going to be very hard to beat this year.
Ulverstone SC had a very strong 3rd place finish last year and should not be underestimated come their visit down South.
I for one can’t wait to the cup action and urge all to get along, but remember to social distance. Keep 1.5 meters apart, wash those hands and stay safe everyone.
We are all happy to have football back, but we need to keep our precautions in place.
Milan Lakoseljac Cup
Saturday 11 July
Metro FC v Taroona, North Chigwell, 2:00pm
Launceston United v South Hobart, Birch Avenue, 2:00pm
University v Riverside Olympic, Olinda Grove 1, 2:00pm
Somerset v Hobart Utd, Cardigan Street, 2:00pm
Glenorchy Knights v Northern Rangers, KGV Football Park, 3:00pm
Kingborough v Clarence Zebras, Lightwood Park Complex, 3:00pm
Launceston City v Devonport, Buckby Land Rover Park 1, 4:30pm
Olympia v Beachside, Warrior Park, 6:00pm
Women’s Statewide Cup
Saturday 11 July
Clarence v Devonport, Wentworth Park, 2 2:00pm
Somerset v Kingborough Cardigan Street, 11:30am
University v Taroona Olinda Grove 1, 11:30am
Riverside v Olympic Metro FC Windsor Park, 12:30pm
Launceston City v Northern Rangers, Buckby Land Rover Park 1, 2:00pm
Olympia v Ulverstone, Warrior Park, 3:00pm
Statewide Under 20’s Cup
Saturday 11 July
Clarence Zebras v Riverside Olympic, Wentworth Park 2, 11:30am
Olympia v Taroona, Warrior Park, 12:00pm
Kingborough Lions v Northern Rangers, Lightwood Park, 12:30pm
Glenorchy Knights v Launceston City, KGV, 12:30pm,
Devonport v Beachside, Valley Road, 2:00pm
South Hobart v Ulverstone, Darcy Street, 2:00pm
