EAST Christchurch SSC’s FA Sunday Cup adventure ended in a 2-0 quarter-final defeat to Birstall Stamford at Hurn Bridge.

There were chances at both ends in some nervy early moments and the visitors from Leicester had a glorious opportunity midway through the first half.

With only Marc Davies to beat, Birstall’s Paul Pallett fired wide.

East Christchurch responded on the half hour when Dave Midgeley met Jack Smith’s cross from the left with a diving header, which brought a good save from Birstall keeper Elliott Shilliam.

The first half came to a close with Pallett firing wide of the far post from the edge of the box.

But the visitors were in front just three minutes after the interval when Pallett laid the ball off for Ryan Seal to slot home.

East Christchurch looked to rally and Shilliam had to get down quickly to save a 30-yard effort from Jonny King on the hour mark.

The visiting keeper then did well to adjust when Matt Piovan’s strike from the edge of the penalty area was deflected by Midgeley.

Birstall were fortunate to escape in the 74th minute when Alex Whitehouse set up a chance for Midgeley but, with the keeper desperately trying to close him down, the East Christchurch striker put the ball over the bar.

And Birstall clinched their place in the semi-final four minutes from time when Pallett met a cross from the left with an unorthodox overhead kick, which surprised everyone and found its way inside the far post.

East Christchurch: Davies, Smith, Piovan, Dickenson, Waterhouse, Trimble (Harris, 86), Orchard (Bower, 74), Kennedy (O’Mallo, 88), Whitehouse, King, Midgeley.

  • Meanwhile, Alderney Manor are through to the semi-finals of the MA Hart Robbins Cup after a 4-0 fifth-round victory over AFC East Christchurch.

Alderney found the net through Sam Thompson, Scott Arnold and a couple of goals from Toby Williams. It was an eighth successive victory for Division Two’s form team, who now meet East Christchurch SSC in the last four.

Josh Carter struck for Bearwood Broncos in their fourth-round tie but Division One leaders Loch & Quay were too strong and emerged 3-1 winners thanks to River Smith, Phil Midson and Chris Ballam.

Sam Carter plundered four and Bradley Miles bagged a hat-trick when Canford Rovers gave Gillingham Town Barbarians a 9-2 hammering in the quarter-finals of the Dorset Sunday Plate.

Luke Hall and Zak Blackburn added one each.

MK Interiors are also though to the semi-finals after Scott Naylor and Jamie Webber gave them the verdict 2-1 against Wyke Smugglers.

Ringwood Town under-18s bowed out in the last eight of the Hampshire Sunday Cup.

They went down 4-1 to Brockenhurst. Jamie Quainton scored the consolation goal for Ringwood.