South Hobart stormed into the last four of both senior cup competitions with significant quarter-final victories.
The match of the weekend was a Lakoseljac Cup thriller at D’Arcy Street which ended in a 4-3 win over Devonport.
The two teams had won 11 of the last 17 cups between them and Strikers were coming off victory by the same scoreline over holders Glenorchy in the previous round.
However, Max Clarke’s South side proved too strong as goals from Austin Yost, Nick Morton, Sam Berezansky and Rex Maddock saw off the visitors who replied through Charles Bidwell, Jordan Payne and an Alex Walter own goal.
Northern neighbours Riverside and Launceston City both advanced with contrasting wins over southern opposition.
Southern Championship leaders New Town White Eagles put in a superb performance at Olympic’s Windsor Park before going down 2-1 to an injury-time winner.
Riverside had missed a penalty before Aidan Sands put them ahead but the contest was turned on its head when the hosts’ Fahim Moradi was sent off and Adam McKeown levelled from the spot.
Hitting the woodwork three times, Olympic finally found a winner five minutes into stoppage time. Arpan Rai produced a composed finish to beat keeper James Holland who was also sent off moments later.
A week after an 8-0 league loss, Kingborough suffered more home misery with a 4-0 defeat to Launceston City.
Daniel Latinovic, Kazuki Hashimoto, Thierry Swaby and the prolific Angus Taylor all scored before the break in a match which also saw both teams squander penalties.
The competition’s remaining Southern Championship outfit South East United completed the semi-final line-up after a 3-0 win over NPL Tasmania strugglers Clarence on Sunday.
South Hobart also produced the most eye-catching result in the Women's Statewide Cup, maintaining their perfect start to the season with a 4-1 victory at Launceston United.
A week after a 4-0 league win over the same opponents, Ken Morton’s team bounced back well from Canadian import Montana Leonard’s early strike.
Jaz White’s double took her tally to a stunning 14 goals in six games this season as Kate Ollerhead and Josi Mamic completed the scoring.
Southern Championship leaders University demonstrated the narrow margin between regional and statewide leagues with a 2-1 win over Women’s Super League cellar dwellers Riverside.
Claire Farrell scored University’s opener and Bianca Anderson netted her first goal in Riverside colours. At almost exactly the same moment Olympic’s men were scoring a late winner at home, their women conceded one to Sophie Young.
Glenorchy’s Jemima Brown added to her five goals in the previous round with two more as Jess Shreeve capped off a 3-0 win at Northern Championship outfit Launceston City.
Devonport complete the semi-finalists having progressed courtesy of a forfeit against New Town White Eagles.
Image: South Hobart celebrate Sam Berezansky's goal againt Devonport City Strikers in their Lakoseljac Cup quarter final at D'Arcy St on 19 April 2025. Image courtesy Nikki Long.