It’s that time of the year again. Football Tasmania today announced the Milan Lakoseljac Cup qualifiers which will be played on Mon March 8th. The draw was conducted by departing competitions manager Glen McNeil who will leave FT for other ventures. It is not yet known who will fill that position but one would imagine FT will get a move on with the search before the season gets started.
Nelson Eastern Suburbs FC in their 43rd season will host last year’s runners up in the Northern Championship, Launceston’s Northern Rangers at North Warrane Oval. Nelson finished with the wooden spoon in 2020 but they did win the Southern Championship 3 cup.. This could be an uphill battle for Nelson but they have made some signings before season gets underway so anything is possible. Nelson have moved from SC3 to SC2 and will be coached by George Krambousanos.
Nelson FB 
Nelson FB
Southern FC will welcome last year’s Southern Championship bottom placed South East United FC to Sherburd Park. It will be the battle of the wooden spooners from the Southern Championship 2 and Southern Championship respectively.
With only one win and a draw in 2020 it was safe to say SEUFC had to make changes both with staff and players. Former Kingborough Lions player Nic Zammit has signed on as captain. Olympia Warriors previous technical director Nick Taylor will serve as an assistant to coach Glen Roland, and former Riverside Olympic academy director Michael Monticchio will also be at SEUFC as their newly appointed technical director.
Southern didn’t really fair any better with three wins last year in SC2 and are also looking for a new head coach after Luke Barlow left the club before season’s start.
Beachside FC will host Metro FC at Sandown Park. There has been lots of movement with players and staff for the Blowflies as they like to be called.
First a new coach. Brazilian’s Romilton Amaral Rosa has signed on after being away in Africa doing volunteer work for several years with different clubs and leagues. Writer Walter Pless did an interview with Rosa last year which you can check out.
Speaking of Brazilian’s, a new midfielder in Walter Sidney Martins Da Silva Filho will also line up for the Sandy Bay club. It’s being said that Filho is not match-fit yet but Beachside would want to get some Joga Bonito out of the two!
Limitless Football academy director Alex Cisak has also signed on for the year as technical director.
South Hobart’s Will Richardson has put pen to paper along with Kingborough Lions Sean Heathorn who both made their debut last weekend in the Southern Championship Summer Cup. Former NPL Lions player Joel Schuth will also return for another season.
Richardson scored the deciding penalty over the weekend in their opening fixture v New Town White Eagles Soccer Club which ended 1-1 (5-4 on penalties) .
There hasn’t been much movement out of their opponents but coach Mark Broadbent will return. Metro finished a disappointing 9th in the SC and will hope to get some form back in 2021, starting with the Cup.
Our remaining fixtures are Barnstoneworth United Football Club v Taroona FC at Cambridge Memorial Park. Somerset Sharks v Phoenix Rovers at Cardigan St, and Brighton Storm v Ulverstone SC at Seymour St.
2021 Lakoseljac Cup qualifers to be played on 8th March.
Southern FC v South East United Football Club 11:30am at KGV
Nelson Eastern Suburbs FC v Northern Rangers FC 2:00pm at KGV
Somerset Sharks Soccer Club v Phoenix Rovers FC 2:30pm at Cardigan St
Brighton Storm Soccer Club v Ulverstone Soccer Club 2:30pm at Seymour St.
Beachside FC v Metro Football Club 4:30pm at KGV
Barnstoneworth United Football Club v Taroona Football Club 7:00pm at KGV
Women’s Statewide Cup preview to follow in coming days.
