Brave Joker bow out of FA Sunday Cup

They went down 3-0 to Birstall Stamford in front of a crowd of nearly 500 on neutral territory at Alfreton Town FC yesterday.

A long-range stunner midway through the first half gave the champions from Leicester a foothold and despite having to absorb plenty of pressure, they picked off Joker twice in the second half to reach the final.

Joker manager Andy Battersby said: "We are disappointed. They scored their first goal from 35 yards out and got their others at good times.

"For the majority of the game we played the better football but fair credit to Birstall, they nullifed us and did what they needed to do and got to the final so best of luck to them."

Midfielder Danny Patterson added: "Today we didn't take our chances and they took theirs and it shows at this level. They've been around, they've been in the semi-finals of the competition five times. There were also a few tired legs in our team. It's disappointing but the good thing is that we're still on for five honours this season."

Birstall's opponents in the final will be Aylesbury Flooring. They beat Sunderland Southwick 2-1 in the other semi-final played at Gainsborough.

More on the Joker game in Friday's Advertiser.