South East United produced one of the biggest upsets in Lakoseljac Cup history by knocking out five-time winners Launceston City to reach their first final.
A superb 2-0 victory in Sunday’s semi-final saw the Southern Championship leaders extend their record of winning every game this season.
Formed just 12 years ago with representatives from Dodges Ferry, Richmond, Cambridge and Sorell, United have become one of the state’s dominant regional teams, winning 18 of their 21 games en route to last year’s Championships title.
Having beaten Clarence in the Cup quarter-final, United claimed a second NPL victim in second-placed City in front of a boisterous crowd at Sorell’s Pembroke Park.
First-half goals from experienced duo Luke Huigsloot and Dwayne Walsh and an excellent defensive display delivered the result for Adam Shackcloth’s well-organised side.
The last Launceston team to reach a final way back in 2007, City had racked up 10 goals in this season’s competition. But Thierry Swaby and Shota Fujishiro were denied by keeper Mitch Stalker before 10-goal Angus Taylor’s frustration earned him a stoppage-time sending off.
United will meet six-time winners South Hobart who booked their spot with a clinical 4-0 win at Riverside on Saturday.
Two weeks after a 3-0 league defeat of the same opponent, Max Clarke’s men went one better as several members of Launceston City’s squad watched on.
Kobe Kemp’s opener and Nick Morton’s ninth goal of the season effectively killed off the contest before subs Patrick Ayoul and Rex Maddock wrapped things up.
Women's Statewide Cup holders Devonport locked in a home final by beating University 4-0.
Grace Sims put Tom Ballantyne’s team ahead before Japanese import Asuka Doi scored for the sixth game in succession.
Centre-back Georgia King drilled home the third shortly before Lucy Foote converted a Sims cross to take Strikers’ Cup defence to an aggregate score of 21-0.
Devonport will face arch-rivals South Hobart who ensured all three Saturday scorelines finished 4-0 to the away side with a devastating display against Glenorchy.
Jaz White nodded in her 15th goal of the season but the former golden boot winner squandered the chance to double her contribution early in the second half when she slipped taking a penalty.
The in-form Laura Davis produced her second assist of the game for Caitlin Stalker to make it 2-0, then fired home her fifth goal in three games from White’s cross.
Sub Sam Watkins completed the scoring with an audacious chip 20 minutes from time.