Clarence Zebras v Kingborough
Date: Saturday 31 October
Venue: KGV
Kick Off: 4:00 PM
Road to the Semi Final
Kingborough: R16 (A) 7-0 vs Somerset
QF (H) 8-0 vs Riverside
Clarence Zebras: R16 (H) 7-0 vs Devonport Strikers
QF (H) 5-1 Northern Rangers
Match Primer
A midweek 2-2 draw between the pair in a rescheduled Women’s Super League match has blown this affair right open. Kingborough will be more than happy with a rinse and repeat of the evening game, while Clarence Zebras will want to avoid that and get back to business of grinding out wins consistently. Being clinical in front of goal is perhaps the biggest point of difference on current form. The Lions have demonstrated they only need a small handful of chances to hit the back of the net. Their most recent matches finishing opportunities low, hard and confidently. In contrast, Clarence Zebras have had a nightmare in front of goal. The knack of scoring after doing all the hard work picking a defence apart seems to have alluded the eastern shore team of late. Confidence is a funny thing. Kingborough now has a good chunk of that cake, deservedly so on the back of good wins. While that feeling must be wavering again at Clarence, a solid season could slip by with no more silverware if scoring-woes aren’t sorted quickly. The Zebras have the quality still to dominate play, but never discount a young team full of confidence. The Lions will be going in this eying off a spot in the final .
Olympia v South Hobart
Date: Sunday 1 November
Venue: Warrior Park
Kick Off: 4:30 PM
Road to the Semi Final
Olympia: Rd 16 (H) 4-0 vs Ulverstone
QF (H) 7-0 Beachside
South Hobart: Rd 16 N/A
QF (A) 1-3 vs University
Match Primer
Matches between Olympia and South Hobart this year have been captivating. The balance of wins may well swing convincingly in the Warriors favour, but South have made them dig deep to do so. A Cup final on the line and the end of the season for the loser present a different challenge to the regular season. South Hobart have been keen to demonstrate they’re ready to be coupled with the big guns of the competition. Falling short in the regular season, a spot in the final via a victory against Olympia would send a statement. To do so, smart football is a necessity. Constant long balls forward and shots from a distance won’t cut it against the experienced Warriors. But quality crosses at the byline with a back post finisher lurking, quick switches of play with that long ball and a high press could ask all the right questions of Olympia. For Olympia there’s no need to change a winning formula. Most of the season they’ve carried out wins in style, with the sheer pace of their frontline an absolute nightmare for defences. Work the well established pathways to goal, then throw in their impressive defensive record and it’s difficult to see the Warriors not make the big dance next weekend at KGV.