Kingborough keen to atone for last season's loss in the Women's State-wide Cup Final

Photo:  Kingborough's Olivia Gardner (left) and Hobart Zebras' Allie Barry hold the Women's State-wide Cup at a pre-game media conference at KGV Park today [PlessPix]

Kingborough Lions United will have largely the same squad which played in last season’s cup final, but with the addition of two new players, when they take on Hobart Zebras in Monday’s Women’s State-wide Cup Final at KGV Park at 1pm.

Zoe Horgan and Hanna Manuela have joined the Lions from Taroona.

Taroona beat Kingborough 3-1 in last season’s cup final and Horgan scored Taroona’s opening goal from a penalty after a mere 3 minutes.

She has been a powerful influence in the Kingborough side this season and should have an influence on the outcome on Monday.

Lions goalkeeper Olivia Gardner has been in fine form, too, and she is confident Kingborough will be in with a chance of lifting silverware.

“We’ve got the full squad from last year, with the addition of Zoe Horgan and Hanna Manuela, and they’ve fitted in really well,” said Gardner.

“The loss from last year still plays in our minds a bit, but it’ll make us more determined.

“We’ll have a right old go at it and, hopefully, come out with the trophy.

“We’re a very young squad and we’ve learned a lot during the year in the Super League.

“We’re improving every year and I think we can do it this year because we’ve had experience in the cups, namely the Summer Cup this year and the State-wide Cup last year.

“I think it’s about time, and we’ve been training hard this week, so we’ll be good to go.”

Photo:  Hobart Zebras' Allie Barry is a proven goalscorer [PlessPix]

Hobart Zebras striker Allie Berry will pose a real danger to Kingborough.

“I’m really looking forward to this final as I haven’t played in a cup final since 2017,” Berry said.

“I never look at any teams as favourites.

“Going into any game, regardless of who it is, they’ll be tough opponents.

“If we play the way I know we can, we should come out on top.

“I don’t particularly play well in finals, but I hope to change that this year.

“We love a big crowd, and we had a big crowd last week at Darcy Street.

“We’ve told our young youth girls to come along and hopefully they’ll get us over the line.”