ETCFC 2 , Belle Vue Social Club 2.

(Belle Vue win 3-2 on penalties)

ROCKS have been flying of late, five unbeaten and looking to reach the quarter finals and carry on this unbeaten run.

The Rocks were ahead within 10 minutes, as Harry Prince found Owen Dixie on the right, who found Iziengbe Ikponmwosa-Ikuero, who turned and fired it into the roof of the net, his first for the Rocks.

Just 10 minutes later, the visitors were on terms, after a long ball over the top found the right winger, but his effort was saved and followed up from two yards. East Thurrock had a flurry of chances but could not convert them.

This was until three minutes out from half time, with a Louis Sharkey cross, finding Ikponmwosa-Ikuero, who tapped in a second goal of the game, after the goal was originally ruled out, the referee consulted the linesman and gave it.

The Rocks started the second half fast, but could not kill off their opponents, with Owen Dixie missing two similar one vs one chances, and debutant Harry Daly coming close with an effort from 20 yards. The balance shifted again as Louis Sharkey received a sin bin early in the half.

The Rocks were within touching distance of the last eight, but it was not to be as Belle Vue won a penalty six minutes into injury time. The penalty was converted to send the game to a penalty shootout.

Belle Vue opened the scoring in the shootout, then Harry Daly fired his effort into the roof of the net to level it up.

Belle Vue were not going to go back in front, as Jamal Kuku got down to his right to save, to the jubilation of the 45 fans in the Pen.

Captain Ray Snares led by example, and slotted his kick in to put the Rocks 2-1 ahead after 2 each. Belle Vue converted their 3rd kick.

But disaster struck as Jack Coventry's effort went over the bar to level it up at 2-2. Belle Vue would score their fourth penalty to go in front, and it looked like the Rocks were beaten when Louis Sharkey's effort was tipped onto the bar. Crazily, there would be a lifeline as the fifth Belle Vue penalty would also hit the bar.

It was not to be for East Thurrock, as youngster Reiss Hatwell would have his effort saved.

It was a tough one to take for the Rocks, after the amazing scenes last weekend and going over two months without defeat, the lows of being dumped out of the cup. They will have to pick themselves up as they face Hatfield Peverel next Saturday, while Belle Vue will meet Barnston and compete for a semi-final place.

Starting Lineup: Jamal Kuku, Lewis Gardener, Louis Sharkey, Reiss Hatwell, Bobby Reeman, Ikponmwosa-Ikuero, Kieron Miles, Bailey Morris, Owen Dixie, Harry Prince, Harry Salter.

Subs: Kieran Case, Ray Snares, Ross Dixie, Jack Coventry, Harry Daly