The first step on the journey to the FFA Cup begins for a number of sides on Easter Monday with eight games kicking off around the state in the Lakoseljac Cup Round of 16. All eight NPL sides managed to avoid each other in the draw meaning the Championship sides will be looking to turn the tables and cause some upsets on a massive Monday of football.

Three games are kicking off at 2:00pm and one of them is Beachside hosting Hobart Zebras at Sandown Park in a clash that sees former Zebras, Ben Whitehall and Henry Fagg coming up against their side from last season. The likes of Fagg along with the physical powerhouse Brett Andrews, will be important players for Beachside, as they try and stop the threat that Zebras carry from set pieces. Beachside have smashed in 17 over the last 2 weeks although they did fall to losses to University and Knights in the opening weeks. Zebras are undefeated in the NPL, though did slip out of top spot following their 1-1 draw with Rangers.

Heading up the highway and Launceston United will be hoping to carry some momentum out of their first win of the season on Saturday but face an uphill task when they take on NPL heavyweights South Hobart. Ken Morton has made no secret of the important he places on this tournament and it’s unlikely that they will let complacency sink as they look to rebound from a 2-0 loss to Devonport and try to reclaim a trophy that they have won 4 times in 7 seasons.

The other game taking place just across town sees Nelson Eastern Suburbs, who have been big improvers in the Southern Championship this season, facing an uphill task against a Rangers side that has also taken leaps forward in 2017. Rangers are fresh off taking a point against the previously ladder leading Hobart Zebras and will be filled with confidence but should underestimate Nelson at their own peril as they have some quality players who could so some damage on the counter.

Even further North we have Ulverstone taking on the current NPL TAS ladder leaders in Olympia. The Warriors have been near perfect since dropping the season opener and will be expecting to go deep in this tournament. To do that they will need to overcome a long road trip to face an Ulverstone side that has found form in the past fortnight and are coming off consecutive victories.

Their coastal neighbours Devonport will be travelling down the other end of the state as they take on Hobart United. United are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’ll get, their best is electrifying but consistency has been an issue that has plagued them. Having watched Devonport dismantle South Hobart on Saturday, you can be sure of what they will face though and that is one of the best sides in the state who appear to be in top form as they look to begin their cup defence at Gunn Oval.

Also making the long trek south is Somerset who have a match up with Clarence United at Wentworth Park. This could be a bruising encounter between two physical sides and despite being in the higher division Clarence will need to be wary against a Sharks outfit that has some match winners in the likes of Buckingham, Blizzard and Johnson. The Reds were wasteful on the weekend against the Lions and will need to be sharper in the final third if they are to progress to the quarter finals.

Another championship side who will be believing they can cause an upset is University who welcome Launceston City to Olinda Grove. The Students have a number of players who wouldn’t look out of place in the top division and if the likes of Jai David and Samuel Platts can turn it on up top, they might fancy themselves against a Launceston City side struggling for goals at the minute. City showed encouraging signs as they pushed the Warriors on Saturday but their inability to hit the back of the net leaves them vulnerable to a cup upset.

The final day of the game is arguably the pick of the fixtures as defending Southern Championship Champions Glenorchy Knights play host to Kingborough Lions at KGV. Knights have invested heavily in their squad over the Summer to bolster an already strong playing group and despite being in the lower division may well be considered favourites as they take on a Lions side that has endured a difficult start to the NPL Season. They did stabilise somewhat with a point against Clarence on Saturday but with Knights having the bye, they will have the advantage of being well rested. You can catch this game on the Slice of Cheese Live Stream.

Lakoseljac Cup Round of 16

Beachside v Hobart Zebras, Sandown Park, 2:00pm

Launceston United v South Hobart, Birch Avenue, 2:00pm

Northern Rangers v Nelson, NTCA, 2:00pm

Hobart United v Devonport, Gunn Oval, 2:30pm

Clarence v Somerset, Wentworth Park, 2:30pm

University v Launceston City, Olinda Grove 2, 2:30pm

Ulverstone v Olympia, Ulverstone, 2:30pm

Glenorchy Knights v Kingborough Lions, KGV, 5:30pm