New Southern Championship cup competition adds interest to the 2023 season

Photo:  New Town White Eagles spread their wings before last week's cup game against South Hobart at the South Hobart dog walking park. [PlessPix] 

A cup competition for the Southern Championship teams kicks off tomorrow [Saturday], with four games scheduled.

Taroona and Olympia Warriors start the ball rolling when they clash at Kelvedon Park at the early time of 12.15pm.

This promises to be a close game as both sides have shown promise in the early rounds of the league.

But, both teams come off hidings against NPL opposition last week in the Lakoseljac Cup Round-of-16 matches.

Taroona were beaten 5-0 away by Clarence Zebras at Wentworth Park, while the Warriors were vanquished 7-0 away at Valley Road by the mighty Devonport Strikers.

Both teams will have learned valuable lessons from those defeats which they can take into tomorrow’s cup games.

Taroona had the better of much of the second half against Clarence Zebras and the lesson they will have learned is to be composed and shoot more accurately.

Their goalkeeper will also need to be at his best to keep out the Warriors.

South Hobart entertain South East United at South Hobart Oval at 2pm and the home side should be favoured to win on their home turf, which, is now actually quaintly labelled the South Hobart Oval and Playground.  Can you imagine a football ground anywhere else in the world called that?  Another blow to the game by the Hobart City Council?  Strangely, there’s no mention of dogs in that title.

Hobart City Beachside host Hobart United at Sandown Park, which the local fans like to label “The Tropicana”, at 2.30pm tomorrow.

Hobart United are in the quarterfinals of the Lakoseljac Cup, and may well make the semi-finals given their performances to date, and so look much too strong for the hosts.

Metro take on New Town White Eagles at KGV Park (once known as Grove Road) at 4.30pm.

Metro have been doing it tough and Eagles will be eager to redeem their reputation after last Monday’s debacle against NPL outfit South Hobart in the Lakoseljac Cup Round-of-16, where they succumbed 9-1.

I always tell myself not to predict results because football is unpredictable, which explains in part its popularity, but I’ll put my neck on the line and go for Olympia, South Hobart, Hobart United and New Town White Eagles.

Photo:  Luke Huigsloot (left) should play a key role for Eagles against Metro tomorrow. [PlessPix]