Nelson march into semifinals

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

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

Their only previous semifinal came in 2008, when they were knocked out by East Coast Bays. A Nelson team have not won the Chatham Cup since Nelson United’s only triumph in 1977.

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 matchwinner.

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

Western Suburbs had a 4-1 win over defending champions Onehunga Sports, with Callum McCowatt scoring a brace as they shot to a 3-0 lead inside the opening half-hour.

It was a heated affair and both Andrew Milne and Jake Porter got their marching orders for Onehunga. Western sub Dalton Wilkins was also dismissed for dissent from the bench.

The final team through were Birkenhead United, as first-half goals to Sam Burfoot and Christian Grey fired the 2016 champions to a 2-1 win over Wairarapa United. Former Wellington Phoenix striker Hamish Watson scored in the second half, but Wairarapa fell short.

The draw is later this week.