Knights Win Lakoseljac Cup Classic
The Glenorchy Knights claimed the 2024 Lakoseljac Cup with a 3-2 extra-time victory over the Kingborough Lions in a drama-laden game that will go down as one of the greatest finals in the competition's history.
The Knights squandered a number of good scoring chances in the first half, with a combination of wasteful finishing and super goalkeeping from Lions' goalie and Player of the Match Masatoshi Kawano keeping the score locked at 0-0. It looked like that might come back to haunt them when the Lions sprang out of the halftime sheds and took the lead in the first minute of the second half, as Alex Brown fired home from close range to break the deadlock.
The Knights continued to dominate the contest, however, and were creating scoring chances aplenty but finding themselves unable to get past an inspired Kawano and Lions' rearguard. Eventually, the dam wall burst, however, and Stefan Cordwell smashed an unstoppable volley home in the 72nd minute to level it.
Not to be deterred, the Lions promptly re-took the lead as substitute Eli Wright cut one back for Kobe Kemp to fire home and restore the Lions advantage with 8 minutes remaining.
As the game reached the 90-minute mark, it seemed the Lions were on the cusp of victory, but Matthew Brkic swung in a cross to the back post for a Riley Dillon header. Kawano got a hand on it and almost produced a spectacular save, palming it onto the post, but the ball bounced back across the face, where Josh Redfearn made absolutely sure the ball crossed the line and somehow the Knights had forced extra time, with just moments left to spare.
In extra time it was Stefan Cordwell who made himself the hero, scoring his second and the match-winner in the 112th minute with a superbly struck ball that picked out the bottom corner to perfection. He would celebrate by removing his shirt, which almost proved costly moments later when he received a second yellow and his marching orders, but the Knights held on and were left hoisting the trophy named for one of the club's favourite sons.
Final Score
Kingborough Lions 2 (A.Brown 46', Kobe Kemp 82')
Glenorchy Knights 3 (S.Cordwell 72' 112', J.Redfearn 90')
Extended Match Highlights
Post Game Interviews
Strikers Win Battle of Attrition To Claim Women's Statewide Cup
The Devonport Strikers outlasted the Kingborough Lions, winning a battle of attrition 2-1 over the Kingborough Lions in extra time.
The Strikers had taken an early lead via a towering header from eventual player of the match Abbie White, flicking home Georgia King's pinpoint delivery in the 20th minute.
The lead wouldn't last long though, as Hannah Walsh took advantage of a sloppy turnover at the back from the Strikers' keeper Georgia Andersen, promptly firing the ball right back over her head and restoring parity in the 32nd minute.
The final moments of the opening half saw both teams coming close to hitting the lead, but it remained locked at 1-1 as they headed into the changerooms.
The Lions had a massive chance to go ahead in the 62nd minute after Laura Davis won a penalty, but she fired the resulting spot kick over the crossbar, much to the Strikers' relief. With Hannah Walsh cramping up and Danielle Kannegiesser forced off due to injury, Devonport got on top in midfield and looked the more likely side from that point on, with Abbie White coming closest when she fired a close-range shot straight at Erika Mackintosh in the dying moments.
With both sides absolutely out on their feet in the extra time period, the fresh legs of substitute Annabelle Wylie proved pivotal, as she tore in behind the Lions' defence and dispatched what would prove the match-winning goal in the 112th minute with a fine strike.
The Lions had one last chance when Hannah Walsh fizzed a shot over the bar in the 118th minute following a scramble in the box, but there would be no late fairytale for the Lions as the Strikers held out to claim the club's first-ever Women's Statewide Cup trophy.
Final Score
Kingborough Lions United 1 (H.Walsh 32')
Devonport Strikers 2 (A.White 20', A.Wyllie 112')
Extended Match Highlights
Post Game Interviews