The Women's Statewide Cup Final for 2019 is all set to go, with a "Safari Derby" between the Kingborough Lions and Hobart Zebras to determine who will be crowned Women's Statewide Cup Champions. The Lions are looking to go one better this year after falling just short in the final last season against Taroona, whilst the Zebras are out to capture their second Cup victory in 3 seasons having lifted the trophy in 2017.
The Lions have earned themselves the reputation of "Cup Specialists" over the past couple of seasons. Whilst their form and consistency in the Women's Super League competition has not always been the steadiest, their performances in knockout Cup games cannot be questioned. The occasions seems to bring out their best football, as highlighted by their Semi Final win over the current league leaders Olympia, downing them 3-1 before losing to them in the league 5-2 just a week later! They achieved a similar feat in 2018, becoming the only side all year to beat Ulverstone, eliminating them in the Semi Finals 1-0 before falling in the decider to Taroona.
Lions Goalkeeper Olivia Gardner couldn't explain the fluctuations, but said it was something mentality wise they might need to address for the league game.
"It's a bit strange really, we don't know whats going on. We seem to play against a team in the league, lose to them, then come up against them in the Cup and win,so yeah it's quite strange."
"Maybe mentality wise its something we need to address in the league, it could well be that we lift when we know we have to win or we are knocked out."
They've already played in one cup final this year, knocking the Hobart Zebras out en route to an eventual 1-0 loss in added time to Olympia in the Summer Cup. That win over the Zebras should give them confidence heading into the game, though the Zebras did claim a sizeable 4-0 win when the pair met in the league, adding further fuel to the Cup Specialist narrative.
Having now fallen agonisingly short in 2 finals over the past 12 months, they will be hoping third times the charm. Gardner said the two Cup final defeats were a powerful motivator heading into Monday's decider.
"I guess its about bouncing back for us, cause its a bad feeling losing in a cup final. So we want to learn from those experiences, work on the areas we need to improve and then just focus on the game. We know what losing feels like, this time hopefully we can get across the line."
[caption id="attachment_9800" align="alignnone" width="699"]
The Lions fell just short in the Summer Cup Final- Solstice Photography[/caption]
The Hobart Zebras meanwhile are quietly building back to their very best form. After a disappointing 2018 season, where they failed to match the heights of their treble winning 2017 campaign, they appear to be firing on all cylinders again. After initially stumbling out of the gates in 2019, struggling in the Summer Cup then losing their season opener to Olympia 3-2, the Zebras have not been defeated since.
Five wins and a draw with Olympia in their last six league games and three thumping wins in the Statewide Cup have them entering this one in scintillating form. Their run in the Cup has been downright destructive, accounting for Devonport 12-0, Ulverstone 5-1 and Northern Rangers 6-0! Their tremendous goal threat from Zoe Nichols and Allie Berry makes them especially difficult to deal with, and outside of Olympia, no team has managed to keep them to less than 4 goals in a game!
Star attacker Allie Berry said that the close bond the players had off the field was contributing to the attack clicking.
"I think it comes down to the off the field as well. We aren't just teammates, we're friends. We tend to hang out after training and outside of games and that's what gives us the chemistry on field, we know where each other is going to be out there."
Berry said that after a 2018 season that was a challenging one for the club, she felt the performances were getting back towards the standards set in 2017.
"We worked hard in the off season because we know where we can be, and where we want to be. I think over the last month or so we have really started to show the qualities that we showed in 2017."
Berry was bullish on her sides chances if they can find their best form
I'm looking forward to it, I haven't played in a cup final since 2017. I don't really go into any game looking at favourites. I just enter every game and know they will be a tough opponent, but if we play to our best then I am confident we can win."
[caption id="attachment_11735" align="alignnone" width="678"]
The Zebras attack has been formidable- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Containing this Zebras side will be no easy feat, though the Lions have done a good job stifling another free scoring side in Olympia in Cup games this year. With the experienced Hanna Manuela bolstering the defence and Gardner in net they can be a very tough side to break down, which they will need to be if they are to claim the win on Monday. The Lions also excel at executing the high press and winning the ball back high up the field. Whilst this can leave them exposed by pace in behind the other way, its probably preferable to sitting back deep and inviting the danger of Zoe Nichols turning in the box. Nichols ability to sharply change direction continues to bamboozle defences and it has been a regular source of goals for her side.
Whilst I am willing to buy into the Cup Specialist narrative, for mine, the major difference between the Lions recent WSL and Cup games against Olympia was less the mentality of the players and more the absence of Zoe Horgan. The Lions need Horgan at her best to win this one, nobody else can offer the blend of skilful offence and steely defence that she provides for their midfield group. She is one of the premiere players in the state and along with Laura Davis in attack, looms as a genuine match winner for the Lions. She and Georgia Burt will be the keys in midfield for their respective sides and they will need to drop deep to get on the ball and help their sides play through the opposing press.
Finally in one the more fascinating games within the game, expect Kayla Mason to be given the job going with Laura Davis. That match up could well be the single biggest key to where the game is won. Mason is probably the quickest defender in the state, is regularly tasked with shutting down the oppositions key weapons which is something she does to aplomb. Those assignments don't come any tougher than Laura Davis. Whilst the Lions have diversified their goal threat a little this year, they still lean on Davis heavily and its hard to see them winning this one without her playing a major role in attack. She scored two against Olympia in the Semi Final to lead them to this game, if she repeats that on Monday then it could well be third time lucky for the Lions in finals. But if Mason can take her out of the game as she has done to so many other opponents, then the Zebras will be well on the way to reclaiming the Cup.
Match Details
Venue: KGV
Kick Off: 1:00pm
Match Officials
Referee: Rocco Longo
Assistants: Matthew Westwood and Claire Green
4th Official: Monty Piesse
Selected Squads
Hobart Zebras
1 Shelley Cook
2 Kayla Mason
3 Danielle Kannegiesser
4 Selina Steventon
5 Erin Delaney
7 Allie Berry
8 Isabelle Ferrier
11 Rachel Gill
12 Zoe Nichols
13 Madison Graham
14 Lily Hulton
16 Brooke Fiemann
17 Georgia Burt
21 Kacee Ponting
22 Keilin Fagan
22 Olivia Leon
Coach: Chris Hey
Assistant: Damien Carrick
Kingborough Lions
1 Olivia Gardner
2 Amy Ollington
3 Isabelle Dadswell
4 Mia Cane
5 Phoebe Clifford
6 Emille Tatton
7 Leila Hickman
8 Isabelle De Smit
9 Christabelle Moore
10 Samantha Watkins
11 Emily Hart
12 Airlee Lawson
13 Zoe Horgan
14 Laura Davis
16 Hanna Manuela
31 Erika Mackintosh
Coach: Simon Edwards
Assistant: Martin Dunnington
The Lions fell just short in the Summer Cup Final- Solstice Photography[/caption]
The Hobart Zebras meanwhile are quietly building back to their very best form. After a disappointing 2018 season, where they failed to match the heights of their treble winning 2017 campaign, they appear to be firing on all cylinders again. After initially stumbling out of the gates in 2019, struggling in the Summer Cup then losing their season opener to Olympia 3-2, the Zebras have not been defeated since.
Five wins and a draw with Olympia in their last six league games and three thumping wins in the Statewide Cup have them entering this one in scintillating form. Their run in the Cup has been downright destructive, accounting for Devonport 12-0, Ulverstone 5-1 and Northern Rangers 6-0! Their tremendous goal threat from Zoe Nichols and Allie Berry makes them especially difficult to deal with, and outside of Olympia, no team has managed to keep them to less than 4 goals in a game!
Star attacker Allie Berry said that the close bond the players had off the field was contributing to the attack clicking.
"I think it comes down to the off the field as well. We aren't just teammates, we're friends. We tend to hang out after training and outside of games and that's what gives us the chemistry on field, we know where each other is going to be out there."
Berry said that after a 2018 season that was a challenging one for the club, she felt the performances were getting back towards the standards set in 2017.
"We worked hard in the off season because we know where we can be, and where we want to be. I think over the last month or so we have really started to show the qualities that we showed in 2017."
Berry was bullish on her sides chances if they can find their best form
I'm looking forward to it, I haven't played in a cup final since 2017. I don't really go into any game looking at favourites. I just enter every game and know they will be a tough opponent, but if we play to our best then I am confident we can win."
[caption id="attachment_11735" align="alignnone" width="678"] The Zebras attack has been formidable- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Containing this Zebras side will be no easy feat, though the Lions have done a good job stifling another free scoring side in Olympia in Cup games this year. With the experienced Hanna Manuela bolstering the defence and Gardner in net they can be a very tough side to break down, which they will need to be if they are to claim the win on Monday. The Lions also excel at executing the high press and winning the ball back high up the field. Whilst this can leave them exposed by pace in behind the other way, its probably preferable to sitting back deep and inviting the danger of Zoe Nichols turning in the box. Nichols ability to sharply change direction continues to bamboozle defences and it has been a regular source of goals for her side.
Whilst I am willing to buy into the Cup Specialist narrative, for mine, the major difference between the Lions recent WSL and Cup games against Olympia was less the mentality of the players and more the absence of Zoe Horgan. The Lions need Horgan at her best to win this one, nobody else can offer the blend of skilful offence and steely defence that she provides for their midfield group. She is one of the premiere players in the state and along with Laura Davis in attack, looms as a genuine match winner for the Lions. She and Georgia Burt will be the keys in midfield for their respective sides and they will need to drop deep to get on the ball and help their sides play through the opposing press.
Finally in one the more fascinating games within the game, expect Kayla Mason to be given the job going with Laura Davis. That match up could well be the single biggest key to where the game is won. Mason is probably the quickest defender in the state, is regularly tasked with shutting down the oppositions key weapons which is something she does to aplomb. Those assignments don't come any tougher than Laura Davis. Whilst the Lions have diversified their goal threat a little this year, they still lean on Davis heavily and its hard to see them winning this one without her playing a major role in attack. She scored two against Olympia in the Semi Final to lead them to this game, if she repeats that on Monday then it could well be third time lucky for the Lions in finals. But if Mason can take her out of the game as she has done to so many other opponents, then the Zebras will be well on the way to reclaiming the Cup.
Match Details
Venue: KGV
Kick Off: 1:00pm
Match Officials
Referee: Rocco Longo
Assistants: Matthew Westwood and Claire Green
4th Official: Monty Piesse
Selected Squads
Hobart Zebras
1 Shelley Cook
2 Kayla Mason
3 Danielle Kannegiesser
4 Selina Steventon
5 Erin Delaney
7 Allie Berry
8 Isabelle Ferrier
11 Rachel Gill
12 Zoe Nichols
13 Madison Graham
14 Lily Hulton
16 Brooke Fiemann
17 Georgia Burt
21 Kacee Ponting
22 Keilin Fagan
22 Olivia Leon
Coach: Chris Hey
Assistant: Damien Carrick
Kingborough Lions
1 Olivia Gardner
2 Amy Ollington
3 Isabelle Dadswell
4 Mia Cane
5 Phoebe Clifford
6 Emille Tatton
7 Leila Hickman
8 Isabelle De Smit
9 Christabelle Moore
10 Samantha Watkins
11 Emily Hart
12 Airlee Lawson
13 Zoe Horgan
14 Laura Davis
16 Hanna Manuela
31 Erika Mackintosh
Coach: Simon Edwards
Assistant: Martin Dunnington