The sheer urgency from Launceston City’s Lakoseljac Cup safe passage over South Hobart 2-1 at home was a sight to behold in a reign short on highs.

Some might point to the following five-goal thrashing of cellar dweller Clarence United, but Brookfield would mould a method for victory on how to get over the equal NPL title favourites.  

“We know we have beaten them before, so we take confidence from that,” he said.

“But we can’t underestimate possibly the best football club in the league.

“Everyone has just got to be switched on to get that result.”

As much as the upset cup quarter-final win may well embolden City on Saturday, Brookfield is wary of what effect returning back to the scene of the loss could have for South Hobart. 

“I’m hoping that is in the back of their minds a little bit, that’s for sure,” he said.

“But at the same time, it could well motivate them, be really up for it and want to get some revenge.

“We need to play the way we know we can and we can match anyone on our day.”

The scoreless draw to Kingborough Lions last week ensured City moved one spot from last to seventh.

But it was just a further frustration for the technical coach that has insisted his side should be turning possession and worthy chances in front of goal into results. 

“We played really good aspects of football and we knocked the ball around well,” Brookfield said.

“It wasn’t a loss – that’s the mentality we can take from it, although it did feel like a loss going back into the changeroom afterwards.

“But it wasn’t, we got a point and we’re now off the bottom of the table for the first time.”

Northern Rangers have a further golden opportunity to pressure for an implausible top-four finish ahead of its Kingborough away game.

As threat Hobart Zebras battle the FFA Cup-bound Olympia Warriors on Friday night, Rangers could reduce the difference to seven points with still eight rounds left. 

But coach Lino Sciulli is reticent to push home the point, realising that a loss could also cost Rangers fifth to the Lions in the process.

“It’s a double-edge sword, really,” Sciulli said.

“If I stress too much, they go in a little bit too nervous and that.

“I basically go in with the attitude to play to our best capacity, and hopefully we can come away with a win.

“I don’t really stress the importance of it as much as probably I realise as how important it actually is.”