Champions crash out of cup

Nelson Suburbs are guaranteed to at least match their best-ever Chatham Cup finish following their 1-0 win over East Coast Bays in the quarterfinal yesterday.

Alex Ridsdale scored the game’s only goal in the 43rd minute as Nelson progressed through to the semifinal stage for just the second time in the club’s history.

Their only previous semifinal appearance came in 2008, when they were knocked out by none other than East Coast Bays.

Joining Nelson in the final four are fellow South Island side Cashmere Technical, after the 2013 and 2014 champions edged Manukau United 2-1 thanks to Dan Schwarz’s 66th minute match-winner.

Lyle Matthysen had earlier cancelled out Sanni Issa’s opener.

Western Suburbs were at their clinical best in a 4-1 win over defending champions Onehunga Sports, with Callum McCowatt scoring a brace as his side shot out to a 3-0 lead inside the opening half an hour.

It was a heated affair with Andrew Milne and Jake Porter shown their marching orders for Onehunga, while Western substitute Dalton Wilkins was also dismissed for dissent despite sitting on the bench.

The final team through to the semifinals is Birkenhead United as first half goals to Sam Burfoot and Christian Grey fired the 2016 champions to a 2-1 win over Wairarapa United.