South Hobart’s FFA Cup dream is alive after downing Northern Rangers 5-1 to put themselves into the Lakoseljac Cup Grand Final.
Lakoseljac Cup Semi-Finals (FFA CUP Qualifiers)
South Hobart storm into Cup final
South Hobart-s FFA Cup dream is alive and kicking after the 2013 Victory League Champions downed Northern Rangers 5-1 at KGV Football Park to put themselves into the Lakoseljac Cup Grand Final.
Rangers couldn-t replicate their Round 3 Victory League upset over South Hobart and were blown away by the South Hobart's formidable attack, putting five past the northern outfit.
South Hobart took little time to open the scoring with Brayden Mann tapping home an Andy Brennan cutback inside 40 seconds from the first whistle. Rangers then worked into the game and were in the contest at half time before a four goal second half from South Hobart steered them into the final.
Andy Brennan finished off a delightful Hugh Undy ball to back post with his head inside five minutes from the restart, which kickstarted the second half South Hobart onslaught.
Rangers created chances of their own but were well shut out by a strong South defence led by Matt Lewis in central defence, they were also frustrated by some fine shot stopping from South Hobart gloveman Kane Pierce.
Nick Morton was superb all day in midfield and created plenty of chances for the champions, he buried South Hobart-s third from the spot in the 68th minute after Rangers- fullback Mitch Dent chopped him down as he entered left of the 18 yard box.
Super substitute Ben Hamlett again pushed his case for a starting position for South Hobart, coming on to kill off the game. Hamlett set up Brennan for his second in the 78th minute, the substitute stole the ball from the grasp of Rangers- keeper Marshall Pooley and dished to Brennan to finish into an open net.
Hamlett then scored one of his own with a powerful finish in the 80th minute past Pooley to have South Hobart 5-0 up and all-but into the Lakoseljac Cup final.
Northern Rangers claimed a consolation goal in the 85th minute through englishman Shane Brassington from the penalty spot, after Tenzing Anderson was shoved off the ball by South Hobart defender Paul Stevens.
Adding to a sour day for the Rangers, central defender Ryan McCarragher was sent off in the 90th minute with a second yellow, following an altercation with Brayden Mann.
South Hobart 5 (Brayden Mann 1', Andy Brennan 50', 78', Nick Morton 68' PEN, Ben Hamlett 80') defeated Northern Rangers 1 (Shane Brassington 85' PEN)
Zebras shoot through Lions
Tilford Zebras will face South Hobart in the Lakoseljac Cup Grand Final after the Hobart side belted Kingborough Lions 7-0 in their Semi-Final match at Lightwood Park.
Zebras opened the scoring in the 17th minute with Alex Leszczynski finishing powerfully from an Adam McKeown assist.
Mark Page could have extended the lead in the 25th, when the midfielder volleyed a Henry Fagg cross wide from the front post. Fagg had a similar chance of his own just moments later to extend the lead but also struck wide after sneaking in at the far post.
Lions fought hard to stay in the contest and goalkeeper Adam Coleman made some good stops to avoid further damage before the half time break.
Zebras boom recruit Russell Courtney had his first start for the club and was solid at the back in an all-round strong defensive display from the Zebras at the back as Jed Donoghue's men kept a clean sheet.
The Zebras started brightly following the restart, with Adam McKeown finishing their second in the 49th minute, midfielder Jono Ladic slipped into the crafty striker, who stepped left past Coleman and finished into a vacant net.
Midfielder Joel Stone got in on the act two minutes later, bolting down the right, before chipping an advancing Coleman to make it 3-0 to the visitors.
The home side tinkered with their formation and shifted a player forward in an effort to chase the game but were burnt at the other end with Zebras slotting four goals in seven minutes to romp home to a big Lakoseljac Cup Semi-Final win.
Leszczynski secured his second from the spot in the 83rd minute after Lions- fullback Will Davis brought down Jono Ladic in the box. McKeown then matched Leszczynski and bagged himself a brace, sending in a firm drive below Coleman.
Skipper Henry Fagg then netted goal of the day, sending a long cross-come-shot from 25 yards wide on the right sinking the ball into the bottom left corner.
Jono Ladic then rounded out the big cup victory with a goal in the dying stages, tucking home a loose ball after Coleman trapped a Page strike.
The Semi-Final victory could have been uglier for the Lions with the Zebras creating enough chances to win by double figures, the win now sets up a mouth-watering Lakoseljac Cup Grand Final between South Hobart and Tilford Zebras set for Monday June 9th, 2014.
Kingborough Lions 0 def. by Tilford Zebras 7 (Alex Leszczynski 17-, 83- PEN, Adam McKeown 49-, 84-, Joel Stone 51-, Henry Fagg 87-, Jono Ladic 90-)
Women-s Statewide Cup Semi-Finals
Ulverstone and Olympia FC Warriors are headed for a Women's Statewide Cup final meeting after both sides won their Semi-Finals on Sunday.
An explosive second half from Olympia FC Warriors guided them into the final after a tense first 45 had the sides level at the break. Bliss Cantrell netted twice to see the Warriors past Launceston City who opened the scoring through Brooke Hernyk in the 30th minute before Cantrell netted her first to have them locked at 1-1 at the break, the Warriors then hammered home four goals to just one in reply to win comfortably at Mitsubishi Park.
Ulverstone and University played out a tight Semi-Final at Ulverstone with the home side just edging out the visiting Students. It was 1-1 at half time before the reds found a second to book themselves a Grand Final spot. It was usual suspects for the home side, with Niluka McKenna and Georgia Foote finishing goals in the tense 2-1 win.
Ulverstone 2 def. University 1
Launceston City 2 def. by Olympia FC Warriors 6
Under 20's Statewide Cup Semi-Finals
Tilford Zebras 1 def. by South Hobart 4
Beachside 1 def. by Clarence United 3