NY Shamrock SC First Team advanced to the semi-final of the League Cup on Sunday following a 2-1 win against Grenadier Zenith at McCarren Park.

After a scrappy start to the game, the vistiors settled and took the lead after 35 mins when captain Pablo Graham, back from an eight-game suspension, released Tom Settle down the right flank. Settle, making his debut for the Rocks first team, swung in an enticing cross which was met by the head of Sean Riley.

Rocks went two up after 60 mins when Sammy Mohamed blasted the ball into the top corner following a neat move down the left.

“Not a game for the purists,” admitted coach Glen Wrafter. “But it’s nice to get into the semi-final. We’re back to focusing on the league promotion race next week and this will be a nice way to get the confidence up for that.”

Next week is shaping up to be the most important game of the season when Wrafter’s men take on third-placed Stal Mielec at McCarren Park on Sunday at 2pm. A win will put the Rocks ahead of Mielec having played the same number of games.

Meanwhile, the Rocks Over 30s secured a vital home win in their battle to avoid relegation from the First Division when they beat Guyana 2-0 courtesy of a brace from Eugene Gormley.